Laptop using unsecured belkin internet connection??

Magenta

Hi all,

I have just bought a new laptop(have always used desktop PC) and when I was setting it up and tried to use the virgin broadband connection I have on my PC it would not work but it logs on without problem to an unsecured Belkin internet connection
Does this mean that I have logged on to someone elses connection or what!!

PS. I am just a newbie not a techie!!

geewhiz

Sounds like you are using your neighbours connection which isn't ideal !

Magenta

Why is it using my neighbours connection and not mine??

Help please!!
Also is it illegal!!!!:eek:

Blackpool_Saver

OMG I laughed out loud, this is what mine did.
You need to set it up to get your connection, mine loved a belkin nearby and had to be made to use mine.....

[Deleted User]

This should help you set it up. After setting this up I'd also suggest changing the default administrator password on your router and setting it to secure e.g. WPA-PSK

mrcrazy04

Just a thought - do you have a wireless router with your Virgin internet connection (usually a small antenna on the box)?
If not - you'll need to buy one before you can use it. And as said above, set up WPA-PSK or WPA2 on the wireless, as WEP can be hacked into pretty easily.

And using a neighbour's connection isn't technically illegal, as the law is phrased such to make it illegal to use a wifi connection with the intention of avoiding payment (so using one outside somebody's house instead of paying for the one at starbucks).
However I'm not a lawyer - and explaining it to a judge might be a little tricky, so make sure you connect to your own!

Ritch_B_2

mrcrazy04 wrote: »

...using a neighbour's connection isn't technically illegal...

Apologies in advance for being the angel of doom, but accessing any network without authorisation, whether it be wired or wireless, is a breach under section 1 of the Computer Misuse Act. Granted, being hauled up in front of a judge for it is unlikely, but not impossible!

Magenta

Deleted_User wrote: »

This should help you set it up. After setting this up I'd also suggest changing the default administrator password on your router and setting it to secure e.g. WPA-PSK

Thanks that's great.
I will have a go at that!!

Needless to say I haven't used my laptop again! Don't want the police round!!
Strangely enough my nearest neighbour is over 3 miles away.

What about logging on usuing wireless hotspots, surely that's not illegal?:o

GunJack

Magenta - no, logging on to wifi hotspots is not illegal, that's what they're threr for So, places like starbucks, mcdonalds, etc. are fine for you to use....
You can still use your laptop for non-internet stuff whilst you're waiting to get your connection sorted, just turn off the wifi for the time being.

Magenta

Thanks Gunjack, will do.

odowdchr

Magenta wrote: »

Needless to say I haven't used my laptop again! Don't want the police round!!
Strangely enough my nearest neighbour is over 3 miles away.

Eh? Are you sure that the Belkin router isn't yours?
If you have a router connected to your cable modem, your laptop will connect to the internet via the router...it won't show as connecting directly to Virgin.