How do I take a wireless internet transmission(s) from outside and route it/them to a computer in my basement?

Question

Basically i have noticed that there are unsecure wireless internet singnals floating around outside my house, probably from my neighbors, I can use the signals just fine if I am outside, inside upstairs they work alright, but my computers are in my basement so I was wondering how you would intercept the signals and send them to my basement, I would also like to be able to boost the signals if possible, they are not very strong. If possible I would like to intercept the signals and transmit them to my computers through cat5 cable. Then i can cancel my internet and get it for free!! Any help would be awesome thanks..

Answer 1

Of course this is illegal but just buy a standalone wireless adapter with ethernet (like those used for game consoles) and then run a ethernet cable downstairs. If you want a cheaper solution use a USB wireless adapter and a USB extension cable and hang the adapter out the basement window. Eventually the neighbors will notice and secure their network, then you will have to buy your internet service, assuming they or their ISP do not have you thrown in jail for theft of services.

Answer 2

Talk about wanting something for nothing...basically, you would be pirating the signal, which as being unauthorized to do is illegal. Your neighbors are basically ignorant in the phase of securing their signals, otherwise if they were secure, you wouldn't be able to tap into their connection.

At any rate, wireless signals from the router are only good for a certain distance. And, when you're talking about going through walls, and down basements, this further restricts it. If the neighbor boosted their signal it may be possible, but you can't boost something that you can't control.

Just spend the dough and get your own - it's the right thing to do.

Answer 3

What your doing is illegal.
But for edu purposes I guess you can buy some sort of antenna for your wireless network card or yopu would need to buy a wi-fi repeater to catch the weak signal and boost it and retransmit again.
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/1571601

Answer 4

Hmmm do you really want to use someone else's unsecure network? Your private info could be in jeopardy but then again if you are looking to steal internet service maybe you don't have anything to worry about.

Answer 5

You need a network antenna that you would then connect to your router/computer to use as your internet. Easy.

Answer 6

Pay for your own instead of stealing from someone else.