I used to plug my laptop into the outlet and hit "connect" to an unsecured network.Instantly I had internet!!

Question

Now I have moved 8 miles away and all the networks in my range appear to be secured.The only unsecured network (d-link) is one bar of signal stregnth so I cannot connect to it.Are there any simple solutions out there which require minimal time and effort?

Answer 1

yes, get your own internet service. All it takes is a phone call.....

Answer 2

A non-destructive method of obtaining better wireless signal is to build a parabolic reflector to capture wireless signal.

The most I've ever done was using a stainless steel pot lid supported by a bunch of books. You could also use a bowl lines with aluminum foil.

http://www.tritium.co.uk/
http://www.binarywolf.com/249/diy-parabolic-reflector.htm
http://www.binarywolf.com/249/parabolic.htm
http://www.netstumbler.org/showthread.php?t=15029
http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template/

You should also try building a cantenna. It is an antenna that boosts signal strength. Personally, I would buy a $20 external wireless adapter to avoid drilling holes in my laptop.

You can build cantennas out of pringles cans or V8 juice cans. After you have built the cantenna, you have to find out where the signal is coming from and aim it properly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantenna
http://www.binarywolf.com/249/
http://www.oreillynet.com/etel/blog/2001/07/antenna_on_the_cheap_er_chip.html
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

Please obey the law though, and don't use excessive amounts of other people's bandwidth. Also, some people have gotten in trouble building cantennas (in the US) so if you want to put it near a window, you should hide it behind a curtain or something.

I am giving you this information because it should be ok to use someone else's internet bandwidth if you are doing them no harm. If they start getting bandwidth notices from their isp, they could lock their wifi down. That is what I had to do with my wifi since some neighbours were using Bittorrent on my connection.

Answer 3

Get your own service. Connecting into someone else's network is a felony. You can be charged with hacking into their network, theft of services from their ISP, and you place yourself a risk for any criminal actives the owner of the network you are hacking into might committed. If they use their network to spam, download child porn, hack into someplace, etc. and are caught - they could turn around and claim it was YOU doing the illegal activities. After all, they can already prove you are a criminal because you have hacking into their system.

Hacking into someone else's network like that is dangerous. Get your own.

Answer 4

If you on a Hot Spot then it close, just not close enough. You may be able to buy an antenna booster or something a get a better signal.
I think some people not understand Hot Spots, they there for anyone who can connect. My Wireless Router is a local Hot Spot, if, I did not want people using it I would lock it down.

Answer 5

Don't be so cheap and fork over a few $$ and get your own internet. When you jump onto somebody elses connection you are stealing bandwidth from them. pay the $8.99/mo and get dial up. People secure their internet so people like you can't steal from them!

Answer 6

you may have a faulty RJ45 connector or plug or possibly a broken wire in the modem/hub lead this will usually be close to the plug or the hub especially if you have tight bends in the cable

Answer 7

So you find it harder to steal service where you are now, and you think somebody should help you? Would you like help stealing money and cars too, or just internet services?

Answer 8

my dad used 2 do that. just get ur own though. or u could move again. lol.

Answer 9

get your own service and secure it so no one else can do what you used to do.

Answer 10

Buy your own service.