Laptop using unsecured belkin internet connection??

GunJack

odowdchr wrote: »

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.

Aha !! good point...OP makes no mention of having a router connected to their BB point....Magenta, can you clarify....are you using a router to connect your pc to your BB modem

shandypants5

odowdchr wrote: »

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.

Eh 2... I am suprised that you have a Virgin connection at all to your house.

3 miles is a long way to run cable to one house, did you need to pay extra for the intallation?

To see what wireless networks are in your area just right click on the little icon in the lower right of your screen (looks like a computer with radiowaves coming from it)
then click on "view avaliable networks"

This should show you a list of all the wifi in your area and tell you if any are secure or unsecure.

If you recognise your connection click on it to connect.

aliEnRIK

Magenta wrote: »

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

If the nearest neighbour is over 3 miles away and theres nowhere else a signal (nearby) is coming from then the belkin router MUST be yours.
You need to log on to it (have to wire your computer to it with an ethernet cable first), and change the settings so that his has security switched on.

Magenta

odowdchr wrote: »

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.

Yes, it could be mine!! Me being as daft as a brush technically would not recognise it!!!

Magenta

shandypants5 wrote: »

Eh 2... I am suprised that you have a Virgin connection at all to your house.

3 miles is a long way to run cable to one house, did you need to pay extra for the intallation?

To see what wireless networks are in your area just right click on the little icon in the lower right of your screen (looks like a computer with radiowaves coming from it)
then click on "view avaliable networks"

This should show you a list of all the wifi in your area and tell you if any are secure or unsecure.

If you recognise your connection click on it to connect.

Yes I did have to pay extra for a connection.

I will have another go as you suggest.
Thanks.

Magenta

GunJack wrote: »

Aha !! good point...OP makes no mention of having a router connected to their BB point....Magenta, can you clarify....are you using a router to connect your pc to your BB modem

I just have a little black box with 'Scientific Atlanta' written on it that connects my computer to my BB connection, no telephone line is plugged in.

It's all a mystery to me!!!

shandypants5

Magenta wrote: »

I just have a little black box with 'Scientific Atlanta' written on it that connects my computer to my BB connection, no telephone line is plugged in.

It's all a mystery to me!!!

That doesnt sound like a wireless router, I have cable and I have a box like you describe (mine is a motorola one) but then I allso had to buy a wireless router to connect between the motorola and my main pc.

Wireless routers usually have little stubby arials on.
If you have never bought one then you possibly dont have any wireless of your own.


(BTW I am typing this on my neighbours wireless as mine needs rebooting and I cant be bothered to walk upstairs to do it.:rolleyes: )

Magenta

shandypants5 wrote: »

That doesnt sound like a wireless router, I have cable and I have a box like you describe (mine is a motorola one) but then I allso had to buy a wireless router to connect between the motorola and my main pc.

Wireless routers usually have little stubby arials on.
If you have never bought one then you possibly dont have any wireless of your own.


(BTW I am typing this on my neighbours wireless as mine needs rebooting and I cant be bothered to walk upstairs to do it.:rolleyes: )

Thanks Shady I thoguht that my laptop would work with what I already had!

So what sort of wireless router do I need to but then?
That would mean that if I buy a wireless router I would have to carry it round with me when I go to wireless hotspot cafe places?:o

shandypants5

No,:rolleyes: your own wireless router will live at home permanently,it connects between the device you have already and your main wired PC.

When you go to starbucks or wherever you can log onto their router.

There are lots of wireless routers avaliable cheap or expensive depending on how far you want the range to be, (laptop in the garden in the summer?)
Ask them at PC world to show you whats avaliable,(Then go buy it somewhere cheaper).

Hopefully someone more techie will reccomend a good one


BUT You MAY already have wireless at home..?

When you "view avaliable networks" what can you see?

aliEnRIK

That Belkin your connected to MUST be someones. You say the nearest neighbour is over 3 miles away so what IS near to you that may be using the belkin?