I ask because I live in an apartment that offers free wireless internet, but lately they made some kind of "update" and since then my laptop will no longer connect to the network. I went to the office two times telling them something was wrong, but no one ever came by to fix it, or even called me. My requests were completely ignored. I recently realized that I can connect to the someone else's network that lives in the same apartment complex as me. However, I don't want to keep connecting to their network if they can tell that I'm connecting though because I have no idea who it is and I don't want them to get frustrated with me connecting to their network. So anyways I'd just like to know if that person will be alerted everytime I connect to their network. If so I will have to cuss out the people in the office to get them to come fix my laptop!
2007-05-08 06:27:22 · 9 answers · asked by Nicky 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
I mentioned that my apartment offers FREE wireless internet so that people would not preach to me about "stealing" Internet. That person is getting their free Internet from the apartment, and since I can't get mine from the apartment network I'm getting it free off of their network. They are not paying 50$ a month for internet service, so I think that me getting internet from them is fine
2007-05-08 07:27:08 · update #1
If their network is unsecured (i.e. you can connect to it) then chances are they have no idea of how to check if someone is connected to their wireless.
So the answer in short is yes, they can tell but only if they look. If they don't want you using their network then they should secure it. Even if they do see you, they will have no idea who you are anyway. In any event, never use a wireless network for banking as anyone else on that network, given the right tools can see everthing that you are sending (like your account number and password)
2007-05-08 06:39:39 · answer #1 · answered by nypiperpilot 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest that you take your laptop to the office and ask them to help you with this upgrade. I'm thinking that they have probably set up some kind of encryption and you will need to install a password.
To answer your question as to weather this other party can tell if you are using their network, the answer is yes. There will be an internet activity light on their modem or router that will flash to let them know that there is internet activity going on. If they know how to access their router they can check to see who is causing this activity. They will be able to see your IP (internet protocol or internet address). This address can be traced to your computer.
Just for your info, borrowing or stealing WIFI internet access is not legal.
2007-05-08 07:01:08 · answer #2 · answered by Ron M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They won't be alerted, but if they know how to check, they can. Most people probably won't check, but I've found someone leeching my connection before by chance. I was going through my router settings and found someone connected through wireless that wasn't me. Then I blocked 'em, and finally got the sense to secure it.
It was funny because their computer name was their own name, so I could find out where they lived and everything.
But yeah, you should definitely get the problem resolved anyway, because as someone said, it's illegal. And seeing as you are part of their network, if they know how, they may be able to view stuff on your computer.
2007-05-08 07:29:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really, but if they wanted to check then yes..
Basically if the guy has average computer knowledge and especially wireless network knowledge then yes, it sounds like he found out you (or someone) connected to his network, and he probably added a password protection.
personally, I have ran my own scanning test, I drove my car from Brooklyn to Manhattan, found about 2000 wireless networks, and only 36% of them were password protected..
It's illegal to connect to someone else's network without thwir permission, but what are laws meant for :)
2007-05-08 06:34:23 · answer #4 · answered by netsploit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is possible to know if someone is logged on to your network if you have the correct software. Don't forget that if you are logged on to someones network then they are connected to your computer. If they wanted to they could access your private info and credit card details if they knew what they were doing. It's a risky and illegal thing to do. Do it if you wish but don't blame anyone else if you get screwed up.
2007-05-08 09:24:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people have their wireless connection protected. If it isn't, your computer shows up on their wireless connection in their network connection settings. It is possible for them to view the contents of your computer under some circumstances.
2007-05-08 06:56:20 · answer #6 · answered by Lee P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a logging system on their router, it also keeps it's dhcp MAC info (your machine's fingerprint) for some time after you sign off. To do this is illegal, it carries a possible heavy prison sentence. Go beat up the office, you may only get probation for that.
2007-05-08 07:21:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
in case your present on the spot community is encrypted then you definitely will opt to provide your new gadget the encryption key with a view to connect. in case your present on the spot community says "Unencrypted on the spot community" then you definitely will nevertheless opt to acceptable-click on the on the spot icon on your taskbar, open your on the spot community checklist, pick the single it really is popping out of your Netgrear router, pass it to the best of the checklist, pick "better" and make effective encryption is wanting to "None", "Infrastructure Mode" and "Open". close all that and attempt to connect back. you may opt to log in on your present Netgear Router and get the present on the spot settings from it. pass to that computing device. open a browser and enter "192.168.a million.a million" in the area bar and hit enter. pass to the on the spot Settings web page, make an remark if those settings and make effective you're making use of an similar settings even as installation the on the spot settings on the hot computing device. Please enable me understand in case you pick some more effective help.
2016-11-26 19:27:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No., they dont know your connected. They probably dont even know there sharing their internet with the rest of the world. Keep surfing for free.
2007-05-08 06:42:53 · answer #9 · answered by netsource06 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋