My cousins laptop is getting 3 signals and he chooses one and connects. i think 2 of those work, the other one doesn't.. and one says that is secured...so that one he cannot connect to.
I'm just thinking about this because if i knew which neighbors have this wireless unsecured, then i could go and tell them to secure it.
2007-01-15 04:27:22 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
Oh i do have names of the 3 signals. they each have a different name. one says something like "Apple something" and the other something else
2007-01-15 04:50:10 · update #1
The only way of knowing who owns which network connection is to actually go and ask around. It is nice of you to want to let them know the importance of securing their networks, but most people already are aware of this need, they just don't think they need to do it due to their being in their own homes and in a decent neighborhood. Also, some people don't want to secure their networks. There is a movement of individuals across the Nation who "share" WiFi network connections. They place a symbol out on the side of their homes or on the driveway which shows those who are searching for such symbols that their network is open and any who wishes can connect and use the internet. This is usually people who travel a lot and they find it is just a great way for fellow travelers to gain access to the internet without having to pay for hotspots. I don't remember what this is called, but it is rather large now. Many of these folks travel extensively in those wheeled houses and this is how they work together. Now, it is difficult to actually know if a person who uses another's WiFi is sharing theirs too, but it is basically an honor system.
A recent study has shown that 80% of home WiFi users do not secure their connections. Why they don't wish to do so is a mystery to me if they are not a part of the system I mentioned above. I know mine is secured as tight as I can get it for a home network and not having the ability to use the stronger encryption algorythmns that businesses have available to them.
Have a great day!
2007-01-15 04:38:16 · answer #1 · answered by Serenity 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Difficult to do if the router is not broadcasting a name that helps. (If it's advertising itself as the "Johnsons", that would be a clue. But if they're unsecured, they probably haven't configured that either.
You could try to triangulate with a laptop, moving back and forth in the neighborhood to see where the signal gets stronger and weaker, but with interference, etc. it's unlikely you'd be very successful.
Other than that, you'd need some sophisticated triangulation equipment to find the unsecured signal.
2007-01-15 04:32:56 · answer #2 · answered by antirion 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Build or buy a cantenna (google cantenna). A cantenna is a very directional wireless antenna. using Netstumbler software, you can get a good idea of where the AP is by pointing the cantenna and watching the signal to noise ratio change. If there are a lot of houses in your neighborhood, you will have to do some wardriving to find out where the APs are.
2007-01-15 04:40:00 · answer #3 · answered by IGotIt 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No real way of knowing, though the higher the signal strength often means a closer router.
2007-01-15 04:46:52 · answer #4 · answered by mo79uk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋