I have a question for the computer guys here. I just bought a new laptop that has a wireless connection built into it (I think that is how you describe it). I do not have a wireless router at home. After school yesterday (where I found out I could log onto their system with my laptop), I tried to get a wireless connection at home. Well, I was able to log onto something, but not sure how that works. Did I connect through a neighbors system? If so, what are the potential problems with doing this? Am I breaking any kind of laws by logging onto a wireless system from my home if I do not have the equipment in my house? Any other info on this would be great. How about unsecure lines and the potential for someone to steal informaton doing it this way.

Brack,sounds like you tapped into your neighbors system. While not necessarily illegal, if you told the neighbor, what would he say? If he wouldnt like it, then dont use that system, but if he says, 'go for it' then its like wireless at the college, its just out there but that neighbor could tap into your system if he is a guru.
A wireless modem for your home isnt expensive and will give you a stronger signal and allow you to move around the house/garage with your laptop. Id get a wireless modem and have fun on your own dime. :)

Thats what I plan to do. I have a hard line, which I promptly connected after my little experiment. I was just curious, and also wondering if I get a modem, how does my system know to connect to mine, and not the guys next door?

FYI, if you do get your own wireless router, take the time to setup some encryption so that you don't share it, like your neighbor is doing. WEP encryption is very easy to setup and just takes a few minutes. Most people buy the router, hook it up and it works, so they don't change anything on it. I work on some systems near Purdue University, you wouldn't believe how many "open" wireless connections there are.

I just set my wireless router to only accept certain MAC adresses. That way I dont have to take the overhead of encryption. Plus my nearest neighbor is 500 ft away and I dont think my B will reach that far :)

Thats what I plan to do. I have a hard line, which I promptly connected after my little experiment. I was just curious, and also wondering if I get a modem, how does my system know to connect to mine, and not the guys next door?

Your system will connect to the strongest signal. Without WEP encryption you may also connect to your neighbors system if the signal is stronger. Unless you have a server connected to your system, or you don't want any neighbors to use your internet connection encryption isn't necessary.

Brackneyc

That sounds pretty common. The posts on this topic are right on. You tapped into your neighbors wireless network and basically have "free" internet service. It's the easiest yet most vulnerable method of installing a wireless system.

Have you ever heard of "hot-spots" Thats the equivelent of you neighbors house. Any "hot-spot" is a wireless portal for users to hit the NET without the hassle of configuring their laptops... used mostly in coffee shops.

Now with all the network security, they basically are shuting these systems down and using more evolved techniques to ride the wireless wave.

here's a very reputable router I that I personally recommend from Walmart:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2470125

You may also find it at Circuit City, and Best Buy.

Installing it may be diffucult (depending on your network, ISP etc) But I highly suggest getting one. Any questions, feel free to ask!

Email = blackvi2000@hotmail.com

I was at Comp USA today and they had their brand wireless router for $9.99 after $40.00 rebate, who knows of the quality. I already have a D-Link but just noticed that price was hard to beat.

A neighbor I've yet to identify recently setup wireless and was causing me to have trouble. It took me awhile to figure it out but he was on channel 6 like me, which is the default. I switched over to channel 1 and all is now well. I also set the ID on my router to "virus", it looks somewhat intimidating seeing a connection named "virus".

Rojo,

9 Friggin Dollars?!?!?! yup that hard to beat!

The only problem I have ever seen with less expensive routers was the firmware.

But for 9 bucks, I'd have to try that!!!!

They had the same deal on USB wireless cards. No telling how long it takes to get your rebate.

While we're on the subject, my cordless phone shuts down my router everytime I answer the phone. Any quick fixes for that? Dell2350.

I also had the same question. As we speak (type) I am at my wife's granny's house and my when I turned my laptop on it immediately detected a wireless connection. It connected and is VERY fast.

Question? Is this "legal" or just unethical if it is the neighbors internet. (I think it is a free service of her retirement living trailer park)
Also, if this is unsecured can someone hack my laptop? I have firewall and virus protection....

Your phone is a 2.4ghz phone and the wireless router is a 2.4ghz router. Can you say conflict? The only way to fix it is to set the channel of the phone to 10 and the router to 1. The farther the two numbers are apart the less conflict you will have. The problem is most phones change the channel every time it rings so that's what causes the conflict ever once in a awhile.

I tell most users to buy 900mhz phones because wireless will confilict with just about every other phone made but the 900mhz units.

Thanks Doug. I'll swap channels.

69mkitmine,
If you are using a DSL connection you can experience disconnects when answering incoming calls if the modular jack in the interface (EBN) on the side of your house is defective. You need a voltmeter to check it out. On the telco side of the jack you would read about -52 vdc. On the other side of the jack you would see around -22 to -28 vdc usually. This is with the phone on hook. When the line rings in it generates many crc errors in this condition and disconnects the DSL although the phone usually still works fine. If that is the issue then it is up to Telco to come out and replace the interface jack.
I use 4 seperate 2.8 gig cordless phones in my house with my 2.8 GHz wireless router with no issues at all. They can interfere with each other but are usually fairly tolerant of each other.

SUPV,

*sigh*

The word ethical is a very nice catch. I won't say its legal or illegal to user your neighbors internet.

I will say, go to you neigbor and let them know that they are providing the neighborhood a "service" and they really need to look into securing it. If they "dont mind you using it" well, go right ahead!!!!!