"free" wireless? - Democratic Underground

Patiod

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Nov-27-05 08:16 PM
Original message

"free" wireless?

I brought home a laptop from my company, and was writing a report when the message popped up: "wireless connection detected - connection weak" Damned if I couldn't connect and bring up my favorite website

Does this mean that someone in my complex has wireless? Am I hitchhiking on it? Is this dangerous? (my company is extremely security conscious, and we have lots of firewalls and security packages installed on all the computers?

God, sometimes I feel old and clueless..

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

philosophie_en_rose

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Nov-27-05 08:31 PM
Response to Original message

1. someone in your complex has wireless.

they didn't set up their security system correctly. It's likely just some regular person.

However, I wouldn't put it past someone to lure people with wifi.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

democracyindanger

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Nov-27-05 08:34 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. Although there are people

who set up wifi broadcasters and allow anybody to use the signal.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Guy Fawkes

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Nov-27-05 08:36 PM
Response to Reply #2

4. Those networks are few and far between...

people who have an open network will also advertise it- either with WAR chalking or word of mouth.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Guy Fawkes

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Nov-27-05 08:35 PM
Response to Original message

3. You are using another person's wifi.

This is *bad*. I have nothing against WAR driving- the detecting of wireless networks with a laptop, but when you use the internet access to view websites without permission, you are doing something very wrong.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Patiod

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Nov-27-05 08:48 PM
Response to Reply #3

5. well, since I don't have a computer w/wireless

of my own, it's only going to happen on the rare occassion when I bring the laptop home. I'll stick with dial-up on my cheapo Dell desktop.

Just wondered how this all worked...

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Guy Fawkes

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Nov-27-05 08:54 PM
Response to Reply #5

6. I won't argue morals...

but using someone else's wireless internet without their knowledge is akin to hacking. Due to the P.A.T.R.I.O.T. ACT, hacking is "domestic terrorism" and is punishable by a long prison sentence.

That isn't the bad part: the bad part is that you can give your unwitting host viruses and all sorts of nasty stuff. Unless you know exactly what you're doing (and know how to not be seen, per the above) it's a bad idea to use wireless access points you shouldn't be using.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

seemunkee

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Nov-27-05 10:16 PM
Response to Reply #6

7. I'm intrigued

How would you give someone a virus by using their wifi connection?

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Patiod

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Nov-28-05 09:51 AM
Response to Reply #6

9. Well, it's all moot - I'm safely back on the company's T1 line

My S.O. was amazed -- I was sitting with the laptop in my lap, not connected to anything, and cruising DU. Very unusual.

Our dial-up sucks, but if it doesn't have to do with food or wine, I'm the cheapest person in the world - we don't have cable, and I won't pay over $20 for computer connection (although Verizon is starting to offer DSL for <$15, but I suspect it's a ploy). Fortunately, I don't have a computer set up for wireless, so I'm not tempted to take advantage of whatever connection that was I was using last night!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

alarimer

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Nov-27-05 10:20 PM
Response to Original message

8. My city has free wireless

It mostly works downtown and at the airport but sometimes I see it as an option on my laptop. It is usually too weak where I live to connect and I have my own network (encrypted not because I don't want anyone else to use but because I am afraid of hackers or other incursions).

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Tue Apr 30th 2024, 01:24 AM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.