i can use my neighbours wireless broadband on my laptop-can they tell i amm using their connection?

Answer 1

the 1st answer needs to be sorted out a bit;
if your neighbours are careless enough to leave their WL router / broadband moden accessible to everyone, they are unlikely to check the log; even so, if you use the connection heavily (download of MP3s of DVDs aso.) or if many in the neighbourhood use it, even lightly, the owner will notice that their access is used up, literally.
they'll call in a acquaintance or a helpful technicien who will show them how to use WPA.
enjoy it as long as it lasts

Answer 2

There are several ways to tell who's connected to your LAN.

Firstly, you could login to the web configuration of the router and look for an 'active users' list, which should be on every router configuration. This should provide you with the computer names and IP's of everybody connected to your router.

Secondly, if they're not connected at the time, a log of some kind on the router will let you know who's connected at what time. Although logs are useful, I haven't known a single person to ever check their router log, myself included.

Thirdly, LAN software tools will list the people currently connected. There are many programs which will do this, and some will even allow you to disconnect other users on the network. A couple of examples are netcut and SwitchSniffer.


However, most people won't check who's connected to their router, check their logs, or use that kind of software. More often than not you won't be found out, but even if you are...I doubt they're going to press charges :-).

If you're downloading all the time, they're probably gonna end up restarting their router thinking there's a problem. I guess the worst you can expect for is to be disconnected quite a lot.

Answer 3

If you're going to do the right thing, let them know that you're able to use their wireless broadband connection. They'll thank you and know that you're an ideal honest and kind neighbor and will take measures to prevent anyone else from accessing their wireless broadband intentionally or unintentionally.

If you're going to do the wrong thing, call, no better yet go knock on their door and let them know that you're illegally accessing their wireless broadband connection. Better you than the authorities when they wise up to your sly antics and report it.

Your question implies that you know this is the wrong and immoral thing to do.

Remember the golden rule "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!"

Answer 4

I agree with the 1st answer. To access their Broadband you must first log on to their router. (what idiots for not securing their network eh!)
The router does in most cases maintain a log of events and will show an outsider has logged on. I am not so sure they could trace who it was but you have to be fairly close.

Answer 5

They can tell if they shut down their computers and still see and indicator light on the router blinking. They can also go into the router and see the access list which will have your IP (and maybe computer name). Also, you might tip them off if you hog the bandwith and slow their downloads.

Answer 6

Some can, some can't. Depends on how much your neighbour knows about comps. Why not just sign up for your own. Tiscali is £9.99 a month.

Answer 7

If they access the interface of the router;they would know how many computers are hooked up to the network & the mac address of all the computers.

Answer 8

They can look at their history, and see that SOMEONE is using their connection other than them, but they will not be able to tell its you. I say carry on, it serves them right for being ignorant and not ensuring that their wireless network is encrypted.

Answer 9

They would not be able to tell it was you directly. The IP address would show up as the same as theirs. The most they could tell is that someone is using it.

Answer 10

Change your computer name to something obscure, spoof your laptop's MAC address, disable any file sharing and you're untraceable.