Using your neighbours unsecured wireless network!

intel

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/ A lot of info here..

Dont forget the forums...

Darksun

Go into your router setup (usually just visit the IP of your router in a webbrowser) and set up either WEP or WPA security. WPA is more secure, but WEP is more compatable, some older/cheaper wireless adapters don't support WPA encryption.

The exact procedure for setting this up varies, but take a look in the user manual or on the website of your router.

Aiadi

If I use my laptop on a (legal) hotspot like in hotels or airport, Is there any risk of data being stolen from my laptop by other users of the same hotspot or by the administrators of that hotspot?

$17mma

Aiadi wrote:

If I use my laptop on a (legal) hotspot like in hotels or airport, Is there any risk of data being stolen from my laptop by other users of the same hotspot or by the administrators of that hotspot?

good question i am always using my lappy when travelling with work..

sra

http://grc.com/securitynow.htm

Episodes 10, 11 and 13 go into this in depth
A few other touch on the subject

albertross_2

Babybimbles

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=142390

Aiadi,

Yes, your data is at risk, unless you are using a VPN connection (or SSL for banking sites (padlock in IE)). Always make sure that you have a software firewall enabled if you use a hotspot, and turn file sharing off..

17$mma,

If you have a padlock, then you have some level of security, but if you using WEP, you should try and switch to WPA, as WEP is crackable. If you are using a short key, then I suggest you pick up a 63 byte key from here instead

https://www.grc.com/passwords

Also, disable SSID broadcasting on your router, as without that, your neigbours won't even know your router is there, unless they scan for it using Linux.

cargo

I have a new laptop "not owned one before"
I took it along with me the other night so I could do some work on it whilst
waiting for my daughtter to carry out her football training.
The laptop picked up an unsecured network from the Leisure center and connected.
The signal was only 11mp as we were well away from the biulding so was timing out on the internet connection.
I was really suprised that a local council run place/business would not be more secure.
Is this common place, I wonder?

Jamie_2-2

I don't use WEP as it causes the connection between my PC's and the Router to drop every few minutes. Instead I have set the Router to hide my SSID and told it to only allow connections from the MAC addresses of the PC's in my house (and my mum's laptop for when she brings it over). This is pretty safe, not airtight, but good enough security for your average neighbourhood!

albertross_2

If you are happy for your unencrypted data emails/passwords/websites to flow up and down the street it's fine.. Cov is full of script kiddies..

T4i

Jamie wrote:

I don't use WEP as it causes the connection between my PC's and the Router to drop every few minutes.

Your router is isnt working right if your connection drops using WEP. If you buy something that has x included then really you want x to work.