I'm a WiFi Newbie.... Please help! - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

HockeyPuck · 08-24-2006, 02:58 PM

Hello,

I consider myself pretty computer literate... however, I was stuck in a world of wires, cords, etc. I've never set up anykind of network (only network I know how to set up is linking 2 computers or 2 xboxes together to have a LAN game). I've never used a router - wired or wireless... I know, I've been stuck in the stone ages....

Anyways, I was able to puchase a laptop off of ebay with wireless capabilities - it has that Centrino technology and a built in wireless network card. As of today, I don't have internet up and running in my house (btw, CIA internet and internet phone sucks!). I'm getting Shaw digital phone and I've bundled Lite speed internet with it. But right now - my house is not connected to the internet. When I excitedly turned on my 'new' laptop, a wireless network connection box pops up and 2 wireless networks are available for me to connect to. Well, me being a WiFi newbie, connect to one of the networks (without really expecting for my computer to connect) and I'm able to go about my business on the internet. I was quite suprised!

My question is, and please bear with me, as I am network ignorant, but why was I able to connect to this wireless network? Where is this connection coming from? Am I allowed to connect to these networks (is it like stealing cable - like those commercials?)? I figure if all this is okay, then I don't need to the Lite Speed internet from Shaw!

Again, I'm sorry for my ignorance, I'm just new to this... Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Tron_fdc · 08-24-2006, 03:11 PM

One of your neighbours has neglected to password protect his network, and is supplying anyone within about a 20 metre radius free internet. When your network connection box pops up it will teel you if it is a WEP encrypted network or not (at least I think that's what it's called).

The only downside to connecting to one of these open routers is that IF the person on the other side knows what he's doing he can get into your computer while you're on it.

I have a "friend" who has been on a free network for 8 months (supposedly) with no problems.

HockeyPuck · 08-24-2006, 03:17 PM

Thanks Tron!

Would having a firewall prevent someone from hacking into my computer if I was on their network?

Coelah · 08-24-2006, 03:19 PM

What are the chances that somebody who doesn't encrypt their wireless connection, knows what they are doing?

I'm amazed at the number of people with wireless routers that leave their connections wide open. I have a friend who downloaded a ton of stuff from an open connection of his neighbours. The guy got a call from Shaw for exceeding his bandwidth allocation. My friend figured he shouldn't do that again. That guy is lucky my friend isn't a complet a-hole. Could've got him dropped from Shaw.

Always password protect your wireless connections!

Bobblehead · 08-24-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HockeyPuck

Thanks Tron!

Would having a firewall prevent someone from hacking into my computer if I was on their network?

Yes, it will.

Tron_fdc · 08-24-2006, 03:20 PM

Dunno. I'm a bit of a tard when it comes to networks...all I do is reset them when they don't work.

I think that it has more to do with your share settings on your drives. If you're sharing your C drive, and we're both on an unprotected network, I do blieve I can open it up. At least that's how our office network runs, so I would assume it's the same.

Coelah · 08-24-2006, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HockeyPuck

Thanks Tron!

Would having a firewall prevent someone from hacking into my computer if I was on their network?

Nope.

Bobblehead · 08-24-2006, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coelah

Nope.

Sure it will. Turn on your windows firewall and they won't get into your machine unless you've opened ports to your machine.

Tron_fdc · 08-24-2006, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Sure it will. Turn on your windows firewall and they won't get into your machine unless you've opened ports to your machine.

How do you check for open ports on your machine?

MattyK · 08-24-2006, 03:29 PM

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

Scroll to the bottom and press 'proceed'. On the next page, click on the 'All Service Ports' graphic in the blue box. It'll scan your computer and give you a summary.

GrrlGoalie33 · 08-24-2006, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HockeyPuck

Am I allowed to connect to these networks (is it like stealing cable - like those commercials?)? I figure if all this is okay, then I don't need to the Lite Speed internet from Shaw!

Using this guy's wireless connection is considered stealing...just like stealing cable.

Bobblehead · 08-24-2006, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

How do you check for open ports on your machine?

For the Windows Firewall applet in the control panel, look at the "Exceptions" tab.

If you are on a corporate network, talk to your admin before you play with windows firewall. If you change settings it may make some of your apps fail. Usually corporate networks have a firewall on the network, so inside the network you are safe.

And at home, I'm behind a router, so the NAT provides a type of natural firewall.

But if you are connecting to someone else's network and don't have a firewall on, they may be able to access your drives. Howevere, as was mentioned earlier, if they haven't turned on encryption the chance they will even consider that someone else is using their connection is slim.

HockeyPuck · 08-24-2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankster

Using this guy's wireless connection is considered stealing...just like stealing cable.

That's what I figured.... well, guess it's Lite-speed for me

Btw, all this info's great! Thanks guys!

Tron_fdc · 08-24-2006, 03:38 PM

Sweet, I'll give it a try

Shazam · 08-24-2006, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyK

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

Scroll to the bottom and press 'proceed'. On the next page, click on the 'All Service Ports' graphic in the blue box. It'll scan your computer and give you a summary.

Since he's behind a router, this won't test his computer's network susceptibility, but rather the router's.

Mccree · 08-24-2006, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coelah

Always password protect your wireless connections!

How does one go about doing that????

flame^thrower · 08-24-2006, 06:10 PM

I use a Linksys router with WEP enabled. I also dont broadcast the SSID so you cant even tell its there. I dont have a problem setting the SSID manually on each of our computers (4) so nobody can see it.
Of course you should also change the default logins for the router and the default SSID .. its surprising how many people dont do this!

Shazam · 08-24-2006, 06:15 PM

WEP is utterly useless as security. Not broadcasting your SSID is useless as well. Use WPA, and if your router supports it, WPA2.

Get the WPA2 upgrade for Windows here:

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=893357

flame^thrower · 08-24-2006, 06:42 PM

I also use the mac filter so even if someone is using a network finder and can see it they wont be able to get an ip address.

gottabekd · 08-24-2006, 06:48 PM

In addition, you should turn on SSID broadcast...turning it off can cause some connectivity headaches (but if you stay connected fine, then leaving it off is okay). But in general, if someone wants to, they can easily snoop your "unbroadcasted" SSID, and also crack your WEP encryption. But if WEP is all you have, USE IT.

About stealing from an unencrypted wireless network...accidentally sharing files isn't the only concern. EVERYTHING you send out on the Internet that isn't encrypted (i.e. your post right now, your email you send out, etc) can be viewed by ANYONE within...as mentioned, about 20 metres from the access point. Now, your bank's website uses SSL (the little lock that appears in IE when you visit some websites). SO, that traffic is encrypted, same with trusted online shopping sites...but anything else, they can see. Something to keep in mind.