Why don't ISP''s give secured systems automatically?
Isn't there a plan to make Dublin city totally wi-fi thus eliminating the problem?
There is a world outside Dublin city.
Some are deliberately left openAnyway, the point is I then went around town yesterday with laptop and found a lot of unsecured networks. From the time and samples taken I would say about 20% were unsecured.
Yes - normally using WEP or, better still, WPA. But presumably you know this if you already secured your own network? You can also take additional steps to secure things such as locking down to specific MAC addresses etc.Can you encrypt an unsecured network.
Wireless LAN signals can sometimes extend a long way past the theoretical stated range depending in the setup and environmental conditions.Separately, what surporised me was the range that one could pick up wireless networks over, some were available over several hundred yards.....including a hotel "hot spot" which was unsecured.
No.Are we all being fried to toast from the emissions from these things !!!
Some are deliberately left open
What about the hotel one?These were all in residential areas only, I can't imagine why anoyone would deliberately leave their home network unsecured.
I presume that most or all other ISPs also provide such instructions? On the other hand no matter how simple the instructions some of this stuff can still be totally meaningless to many people ("connect to the router's web based admin interface" - huh!?Also, the Eircom system we have came with fairly straightforward instructions on standard securing which as a non-techie, even I could follow.
I was referring to the residential ones.What about the hotel one?
Look in your router's configuration for an option 'Wireless SSID broadcast'. Disabling it will stop your network from 'advertising' its presence but any devices that you already have working on it will not be affected.Can anyone provide pointers as to how you can check if your wireless connection is being broadcast.
Disabling SSID broadcast is often mentioned as a security tip but it's a weak one and can easily be circumvented.
To check what networks are visible try using NetStumbler or maybe [broken link removed] or Ethereal/WinPCAP. Such network scanner/sniffer tools may not work with all wireless cards/chipsets.
This will certainly prevent anyone locally from having a steady free bb connection. However, the best thing is to implement security on your router. Theres a strong possibility either the broadband provider or the router manufacturers support can talk you through this.Is it a good idea just to switch off the bb modem when not in use ? I know its probably not an option for somebody running a business etc, but in a residential area , a family PC for surfing etc - this is my situation and the modem is off when nobody in the house is online. Or am I missing something ?
I always switch off when not using the home broadband. No need to have it on when not in use since I don't run any servers.Is it a good idea just to switch off the bb modem when not in use ? I know its probably not an option for somebody running a business etc, but in a residential area , a family PC for surfing etc - this is my situation and the modem is off when nobody in the house is online. Or am I missing something ?
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