Laptop Wi Fi Questions

When using Wi Fi does the person who's network I am on know my pc is on their network?  YES

 

I need to secure this lappy when using Wi Fi on another persons network The simplest is not to share your files to the local network (this function is turned off by default in Windows)

Thanks form the reply. 

 

In what way do they know I am on their wireless network, via Wi Fi ? 

 

Do they know the name of my PC?

 

Just how much do they know about my PC, other than someone is on their network?

 

Can they get into my PC and read my files etc.?

 

Thanks

In what way do they know I am on their wireless network, via Wi Fi ?   The wireless router/AP should show whether your computer is using a wired or wireless connection to connect to its network and its IP address on the network.  However, you should know that it is irrelevant that you are connected via a wireless network - the computer is on their network, period, and if you are connecting to a network without the owner's consent, you can be considered as breaking a few laws in some countries.

 

Do they know the name of my PC?  Yes, it doesn't matter if you have configured it on a different workgroup - your computer will still be visible to other computers or detectable by the router

 

Just how much do they know about my PC, other than someone is on their network?  That may depend on whether you have configured Windows to share files to a network.

 

Can they get into my PC and read my files etc.?  see above

Thank you for your reply and comments.  I am not a newbie when it comes to desktops, but recently bought a lappy which I know little about when it comes to wireless networking and WI FI.

 

Since my post here I continued to do additional research on this subject of WI Fi and did come across a current case and not in another country, but right here in the good ole USA down in Florida.

 

Seem like some guy sat in his car, in the street in front of a womans house and used his laptop to go on line via this womans wireless network.  She found out about it and called the Police who arrested this guy.  This guy was charged with a NOW GET THIS a Class 3 Felony.  The State of Florida is currently going forward with this case and it looks like this guy is in a bit of trouble and now with an arrest record.  He will for sure expend a lot of hard earned money on this and just may go to jail.

 

I have read some arguments about this case and it will be interesting to see what the final outcome will be.  I am thinking that a person who has a wireless network has a certain amount of responsibility to see that their system is locked down so as not to allow public broadcasting of their system if they don't want to broadcast all over the place into public territory. Obviously the woman like many others don't take the time to properly configure their system, and thats even if they know how?  Most probably don't even know what they are doing when they set up a wireless network, even in their own homes. 

 

All this guy did was take advantage of one sloppy users setup of their system it seems.  I mean just about everybody does this.  It's just that not everybody gets caught.  If you Google this article you probably will come up with what I am talking about. Something interesting for folks here to read.

 

Thanks again...........

 

This guy was parked on public property

Sloppy security does not make logging on to someone's network without permission right.  At a minimum, this tantamounts to theft under Common Law.

 

Next time, if you forget to lock your car and someone happens to take advantage of a car owner's absentmindedness, remember to Google your articles to put your mind at ease.

 

 

PS.  Wireless networking is no different from wired networking - the conduit and security may be different (wireless vs. wired) but same networking principles still apply, so the answers to all questions in your initial posts should now be apparent.

Sloppy security does not make logging on to someone's network without permission right.  At a minimum, this tantamounts to theft under Common Law. IMO, wrong.  The wi fi user is using the public domain, and in doing so is fair game for all of the public who wish to take advantage of it.  If the wi fi user has a problem with others using their wi fi signal that is out in the public domain, then the wi fi broadcaster needs to take reasonable steps to secure it. 

 

Next time, if you forget to lock your car and someone happens to take advantage of a car owner's absentmindedness, remember to Google your articles to put your mind at ease. You don't understand.  Your example is not the same thing.  A car is personal property, it's an object, and one would have to enter it in order to do what ever.  A car owned by someone else that is legally parked on public property is there legally even though someone may not like or want it there, tough to the people who don't like the car there.

 

PS.  Wireless networking is no different from wired networking - the conduit and security may be different (wireless vs. wired) but same networking principles still apply, so the answers to all questions in your initial posts should now be apparent.  There is a big difference.  A wired LAN is on private property and only involves the owners property, a wireless LAN also involves the publics property. The networking principles are totally different, ie: wireless and wired.  My original post was multi questioned. As far as one being legally allowed to use a persons unsecured wi fi signal is concerned, this has yet to be determined in court.  Keep your Google handy for some facts.................... 

Your understanding of "public property" or "public domain" is skewed.  If a wireless network is indeed public property or domain, you have no legitimate right to put a password and claim it as your own.

 

A wireless network is as much a personal property as the car that you park on public roads or the house you own since the signal emulates from a router that you own.  It is by the same logic that even if you don't secure your car, any unauthorized access can be deemed as a trespass or theft simply under Common Law.

 

The networking principles are indeed identical, just the conduit (i.e., wired/wireless) is different by which to connect two computers over a network are different.  Just because you have a wireless connection does NOT mean all networking principles are ignored - packets, overhead, IP, DNS, DHCP, port forwarding, firewall, VPN, etc., all applies regardless of a wired or wireless connection, and Windows networking components really sees is a network, be it a Workgroup or Domain network.  So the answers to your initial questions about how does one find out if a computer is on a wireless network is no different than that on a wired network - to which you said your are familiar with.

First off, instead of being helpful, you are being confrontational, which is a violation of these forum rules. 

 

Also you have some of your facts wrong, in as far as what I said.  I don't see any where in my original post where, (see below in quotes), where I wanted to know if a computer is on a wireless network. I already knew that.  You are getting yourself caught up in the moment and apparently not thinking clearly.  You are really confused.  Thank you for not being helpful, you would fit in well on Toms Hardware Guide Forums. 

 

My reason for asking some of these questions is because I have slooow dial-up, and someone close to me has very fast unsecured high speed wireless internet service :)  I get it you are getting the drift by now, no? By By dial-up :)

 

Elvis has left the building.

 

 

 Your Statement

 "So the answers to your initial questions about how does one find out if a computer is on a wireless network is no different than that on a wired network - to which you said your are familiar with." ????? off the wall with that :)

 

 

 MY Original Post

 

"This concerns a new laptop with XP Pro:

 

Not a newbie on desktop PC's but just recently bought my first lappy and need some advice regarding Wi Fi.

 

I turned on the Wi Fi and it reported that a connection was available but cautioned me about files being shared or read on that network?  What settings do I need to make to make certain that my files and any other data on my lappy are not available to others?

 

When using Wi Fi does the person who's network I am on know my pc is on their network?

 

I need to secure this lappy when using Wi Fi on another persons network (hot spot) suggestions are appreciated.

 

What other settings should I make to this lappy before using on a hot spot another unknown persons network?

 

Thanks............"

Play nice, kids.