Kenneth,
More then likely the 'linksys' network you are picking up and using is a neighbor who may not intentionally be sharing there wireless access. If its legal or not is up in the air, there is a lot of discussion regarding that around (likely some in the list archives as well).
> neighbor? Also, is wireless surfing safe, or am I > giving people the opportunity to learn all my > passwords, credit card numbers, and sexual pecadillos?
If you aren't connecting to everything using encryption (SSL / ssh / VPN) then yes, you are passing all sort of information over the air to not only the guy who owns the AP, but anyone else in range 'listening' to your wireless packets flying by. If you connect to IM I believe all your info is cleartext, all your IM conversations can be listened to and such -- and any website URL you go to can be logged.
> would buying an antenna > let me reach more access points from my home? (I live > in Manhattan.)
Absolutely. I pick up about 5-10 networks with my laptop and built-in wireless -- and 50-60 with an antenna.
Some interesting sites to check out: http://www.personaltelco.net/static/index.html http://seattlewireless.net/
Also if you IRC a cool place to hang out is #wireless on irc.freenode.net (and #nycwireless!)
Louis
Kenneth Gutierrez wrote:
Hi.
A few days ago I bought an ibook and an Aiport Extreme. I went home , and after successfully installing the card, I turned on the computer, selected "Turn Airport on" from a pulldown menu and (miraculously!) found myself connected to the internet. I
t took a few days, but it finally occurred to me to wonder who exactly was providing me with free internet access. The pulldown menu says the name of the network is "linksys," and after spending several hours browsing various web-based Hot Spot maps and running Google searches like 'Wifi for dummies" that's still all I know.
Is there any way for me to find out whether I'm connected to a legitimate community wireless access point as opposed to just mooching bandwidth from a neighbor? Also, is wireless surfing safe, or am I giving people the opportunity to learn all my passwords, credit card numbers, and sexual pecadillos? (Smiley face.) Also, if it should turn out that I am just mooching from a neighbor, would buying an antenna let me reach more access points from my home? (I live in Manhattan.)
Finally, if anyone could recommend a good web site for beginners intrested in wifi, I would be very grateful.
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