are all wifi signals universal?

Question

I am putting a wifi card in my old laptop and i am unfamiliar with how it all works.
No details are too small for me.
Can I get onto the web anywhere they broadcast a signal and will the card automatically recognize my wireless router's signal?
How do you keep other people from just driving by and accessing your personal signal from your router?

Answer 1

Well you will find many places that have "open" systems.

You need to be careful though. Many home users these days buy a wireless router, take it home, plug it in and keep all the defaults. That makes them an "open" system but not one you should use!!!

You should only connect to KNOWN OPEN SYSTEMS if you want to be safe. Airports, hotels, coffee shops, book stores, libraries, schools are all beginning to offer "Free Open" wifi.if you use one of these you are doing the right thing.

Wifi normally only travels a very short distance 300-400 feet in open air. If there is a local wifi service provider then that area is greatly expanded and the provider charges for the connection. Your wifi card will be able to connect to any Access Point within range. If you have an access point built into your own router remember that! ANYONE in range can connect. So on your own router use the security system that it provides. You will have to know the "correct code" to connect to it if security is enabled. You can also disable the SSID (which identifies your system -- change it from the default - linksys, dlink etc to something only you know!) If it isnt broadcast then it is harder to connect because you have to know what the ID is in order to connect.
You card and router will come with help information on how to secure them. BE SAFE - USE SECURITY SETTINGS- DONT BROADCAST THE SSID and no one will connect to your system without a lot of work.

Take it home and use it out of the box is about the same as leaving your front door open when you go on vacation!!

Also if you connect away from home to any other system --- disable every share on your computer system and run a good firewall !!!!!!

Answer 2

yes, you can get onto the web anywhere they broadcast a signal and the card will automatically recognize the wireless router's signal

Set password for your router to stop others form using your wifi/bandwidth.

Answer 3

If you are using an old G router switch to a N router. The extended range will likely make the difference. Another option is to move the router to the middle floor.