Possible to increase strength of wireless network that is not my own?

Question

I will be living in an apartment for a short amount of time, and I will have access to neighbors' unsecured wireless networks. However, having been there before, I know that my laptop's internal wireless card is relatively not that great at getting strong signals (others' laptops have worked better). I am wondering if there is something I can install on my laptop that will increase the signal strength of a nearby wireless network. That is, I am looking for something that I do not need to install on the actual router that makes the signal better. Is a wireless antenna (like that listed below) what I am looking for? Or should I purchase a new wireless adapter? Thank you so much!

http://www.buy.com/retail/computers/product.asp?loc=692&sku=10403540&wl=1

No, I am not stealing. I already spoke to them last time I was there, and they were ok with it. I actually watch their cat once or twice a week while I am there, so it is a good setup.

I am not sure if they would be willing to install something on their router to increase the signal. Assuming they wouldn't, I have this question. Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

1) As others have mentioned, if you are using their wireless network without their permission you are STEALING it, and it is ILLEGAL.

2) That said, the best you could do is establish a repeater where the signal is strongest in your apartment, to make the signal stronger throughout the rest of your apartment.

Answer 2

There are things you can buy, but really your not increasing any signal strenght, you increasing the amount of the signal that your computer picks up :)

There are antennas, but most need to plug into a thingy that you wouldnt have on your laptop card. I don't know what your laptop currently has, but I assume you are using one of those cards that goes in the mini pci slot (on the bottom of laptop). If so, you could increase signal strength by buying a mimo technology wireless PCMCIA slot wireless card.

And that antenna that you linked would not be a good idea. It is a non directional antenna, as in it would not be as powerful per cost as a directional antenna (of course non directionals are good for things like routers that connect to multiple things).

And finally, isps have rules against sharing internet connections between homes that you agree to by using their service, so there is still stealing going on there.

Answer 3

1. You are effectively stealing internet which is an ongoing ethics issue. 2. It's possible that the wireless network you are connecting to is not connected to the internet at all. It may just be used to connect some computers together. 3. There are multiple options for a router that could prevent you from connecting to the internet, but if it's unsecured, then it's unlikely the person who ownes it has any idea what they are doing. You can probably connect to the routers homepage, enter the default password for that router, and look at the options yourself (I've found 3 networks near me that I can do this on)

Answer 4

well, maybe if you ask the neighbors if you can feed off their wireless then they will be able to help you get a stronger signal instead of stealing the signal. You could cause problems for them if you both try to get on the internet at the same time.

Don't be a jerk.

Answer 5

you can not increase the strength of someone else's wirless connection... trust me i have tried... as far as adding something to your computer to improve the signal strength, i really don't know... i can ask my friend and find out if you would like...

Answer 6

You're not stealing are ya?

Answer 7

it's called "bandwidth theft "and is illegal without the owners consent!!!!!!!