can people tell if you are using their wireless network?

Question

so can they tell if im using someone else's network that isn't password protected? and can they tell who it is?

Answer 1

Chances are, if they don't know to password protect it, they will never find out. If they bring up the configuration for their router and access point they will be able to see your computer name, MAC address, and the IP you have been issued only if you have your settings on automatic. If you assign yourself a static IP address (a little complicated) then they will not be able to know someone is using their internet connection without doing a complete network scan, which they very likely won't do.

Answer 2

1. If they have not password protected their wireless network then they probably to not have the skills to tell if you are using their network.

2. If you do use so much bandwidth usage .. lots of downloading .. and you slow it down for them, they can detect that something is wrong and then someone could find you.

3. In theory one can trace the wireless and perhaps their router can trace connections, some can, others cannot.

4. What you get from those adventures is the mac address and IP of the computer .. now if your computer answers requests then they will know something about your computer, if it does not answer requests, then they only know a computer is near by .. however if you are the only owner of a computer near by . then you are had again. So you will have to check your computer with another computer to see if it leeks information .. like netbios names or has a web site up and runing etc.

5. depending on who they are .. they might not mind you using it, if they are friendly .. ask.

Answer 3

Yes they can if they are knowledgable on networking. But if they left their access point open, then you can assume one of two things:
1) They have no idea, and henceforth will not be able to tell that someone is using their network.. (unless you spend 24 hours a day downloading).
2) They do have an idea, and are hoping you will use their network so that they can watch what you do and where you go... collect that data.. and or hack your computer..

Another risk with using someone elses unsecured network is that all your traffic is broadcasted in clear text.. meaning everyone can read it.. so someone sitting with a laptop 1 block away can see.. with the right software .. what you are doing..

Answer 4

Yes, if their wireless router is providing DHCP they can see in their router control screen how many computers are logged on and what their MAC addresses are. Of course, if the network isn't password protected because they don't know how to set up their router, they'll probably never know. It's illegal in some places, possibly not in others.

Answer 5

There is a log file in AP that log the users connected to wireless or show on line wireless users MC address but nobody can know the owner on network card that have that Wireless card.

Answer 6

Yes they can tell if someone is leeching of their unprotected network. Their wireless router detects the computer name and assigns it an ip. This is recorded and the log file can be accessed easily.

Can they tell if its you? Perhaps, the computer name you have given your machine points in your direction then yes they can know its yours... For example if you call your computer "Klaras Computer" and your real name is Klara, they might be able to figure out whoever is connecting to their router.

Answer 7

The more advanced computer user could definately know that someone else is using their wireless. There are also programs that can pick up the location of the signal your laptop gives out to recieve the wireless. Our net admin here even wrote one that could pinpoint it.

Answer 8

yes they can there net access will slow down then they will call there (isp) server to find out why and there (isp) server will check everything over with them they will check there router home page everything and if they see that your ip address is login to there network then the law will come kick your door in while your a sleep or on line remove your pc and take you with it then your have no pc and you may end up paying a lot of cash out so think befor you jump on somones network do you really wanna look the fool in your street everyone will ask you why was your pc took out the home and you took off in a cop car there think you was downloading porn

Answer 9

Yes, they can, if they're savvy. Of course, if they were savvy, they would have locked down their network, right?

You should definitely not steal someone's internet access - It's not very nice :)

The biggest thing that will cue them off is that their internet will slow down. They can also see IP addresses that have used their router recently... if they see one different from their own, they might either report it to their ISP, or lock you out.

Just a thought -

Good luck -

Rob

Answer 10

In addition to what Satya said, you can also lock down the router to only accept connections from approved mac addresses. There should be a security page on the web based configuration for doing this.