Wireless network

[cafrow]

I just got a wireless network card last night and plugged it into my computer, within minutes I had access to Free Cable internet thru one of my neighboors. They have a linksys router that did not have WAP enabled and I was able to online with my cable modem turned off.

Now I am thinking that since I am getting a pretty decent signal from my neighboors router that I might just cancel my Cable for a while and save $50 a month. THen there is also the option to mess with the people and turn WAP on and setup there router the correct way and let them learn about wireless network security the hard-way. OR I can walk around and talk to my neighboors and see which one of them has the router and teach them how to set it up correctly.

WHat do you guys think I should do? what would you do in my situation?

PS. anyone getting internet access thru an Un-Knowing neighbours Wireless connection?

[Moonglobe]

i'd go tell them myself, not nice and their ISP could sue you for stealing their services (i think)

[piersk]

Well, since what you're currently doing is stealing, I wouldn't advise continuing. How about going round and saying that they have left themselves open and that you would like to share the cost of the connection.

[cafrow]

Well after only 2 replies I am pretty sure I will go find out who it is and help them out. The $50 a month for my cable connection is well worth it considering how much I use and how well it has worked for me.

Thanks for the advice.

[piersk]

Originally posted by Moonglobe
their ISP could sue you for stealing their services (i think)

I don't think they'd have to. They can just call the police and go through criminal proceedings

[weekender]

but how would the isp know that your computer is not part of the household?

one of my lecturers lives her life on a pda, and recently told me how some local branches of homebase (a DIY store) still have their wireless gateways open, so you can sit in their car park and browse the web through them. She now goes out looking for these loopholes... sad, i know.

adam

[piersk]

Originally posted by weekender
She now goes out looking for these loopholes... sad, i know.

WARDRIVING!!

[The Chancer]

I saw a keyring version of a wireless network identifier, showed the strength of the signal - good for the wardriving effort.

Also - using a dog / catfood can can increase the signal by about 10db... ??? Very odd....

[piersk]

Don't forget the pringles tube!

[weekender]

i heard that 3D doritos started off as a DARPA project to spy on hostiles...

and i heard they explode violently when dipped in non-doritos branded salsa

[AstroTeg]

Originally posted by weekender

one of my lecturers lives her life on a pda, and recently told me how some local branches of homebase (a DIY store) still have their wireless gateways open,

There were some kids that got busted for playing on Home Depot's wireless network (they managed to access the database and snag credit card numbers). Got busted in Michigan. I can't seem to find the article though. They did it all from the comforts of the parking lot.

Originally posted by weekender
but how would the isp know that your computer is not part of the household?


The ISP wouldn't know. It would be up to the user to identify they have a thug on their network and then either secure the network or locate the thug and prosecute. The only thing that might tip off an ISP is if the bandwidth usage goes off the scale and if the ISP actually keeps watch on things like that. In which case, they'll just bill (or shut down) the customer and it would go back to the customer trying to figure out who is using the bandwidth.

[AstroTeg]

Originally posted by The Chancer
I saw a keyring version of a wireless network identifier, showed the strength of the signal - good for the wardriving effort.

Also - using a dog / catfood can can increase the signal by about 10db... ??? Very odd....

Me and a friend looked at the specs of the keyless remote idea. The ones we saw just tells you if there's a network around. It doesn't tell you anything else which might be useful like the name and if its encrypted or not.

Good setup: notebook or PDA with external antenna (although not required). Add GPS and you can do mapping.

[weekender]

The ISP wouldn't know. It would be up to the user to identify they have a thug on their network

odds are though, if the user is running an open connection, they know jack about networks and won't know how to secure it.

whenever i get a gadget like that, the first thing i do is play with all the options so i know what's what

[AstroTeg]

Originally posted by weekender
odds are though, if the user is running an open connection, they know jack about networks and won't know how to secure it.


Depending on who's perspective, thats the beauty of wireless.

The companies setup the gadgets to be uber-easy to plug in and use (otherwise people would complain and not buy the product). But at the same time, the clueless folks don't realize how to secure thier network, even though they are now happy because it was at least easy to setup.

[The Chancer]

If only they had RTFM.... oh well...

Page 1 - Install Software
Page 2 - Plug device in
-- close book --
Page 3 - Securing the network (still pristine and never read....)

<sigh>

[AstroTeg]

Originally posted by The Chancer
If only they had RTFM.... oh well...

<sigh>

Normally I'd say RTFM is the problem, but in this case, how do you document network security and all the options and tricks available, yet do so without acquiring a CCNA cert along with it?

Just even changing the name of the WAP and its default admin password would be a huge help. But the user would have to know to disable DHCP or limit DHCP, disable SSID broadcasting, and enable a flavor of WEP friendly to their other wireless gear. Not impossible, but does require additional time and skills to do. For a lot of the folks here, its not a big deal since reading tech docs and fiddling probably comes natural to us.

[The Chancer]

If something is better than nothing - using the inbuilt WEP, and configuring a 128 bit key can take less than 2 mins.... OK - so it isn't perfect, but you gotta start somewhere...

I personally don't have a CCNA, or other Cisco network credential, but if it is a home wireless network - how to setup the WEP from the access point / or Ad-Hoc, is usually documented fully. (was in mine I have setup....)

But yes - I am technically minded, and I did think it was easy to read. Taking the option of "OK - it works - lets leave it" would probably be the option taken by most "Non- techies".

[piersk]

Originally posted by The Chancer
Taking the option of "OK - it works - lets leave it" would probably be the option taken by most "Non- techies".

... and quite a few techies that I can think of too....