Connecting to someone elses Wi-Fi network (w/internet access)!

When I do a 'scan' with my wireless network adapter to scan for other
networks in range, there has always been one connection that pops up ever
since I have lived where I live at (for the past 6 months). The connection
strength is between very good & excellent. So I assume it's someone in my
building, or maybe even directly across the street, or the building next
door to me...I'm not sure but anyways...

Whenever my internet service has gone down (Comcrap AKA Comcast) I always
connect to this other network to get back up online until Comcrap is fixed
and comes back online. Comcrap is continuing to raise prices of their
services and I'm getting tired of paying for it SO...

The general question is: When I have been connecting to this other persons
Wi-Fi network (which obviously is unsecured) when I have to sign onto my
accounts via the web, is there anyway this person could be getting my
passwords and user names (since the transmission is going through his/her
connection)? Or does the person need some type of packet sniffer to get my
information?

I just want to know if it's safe as to what I'm doing or am I risking my
personal information being stolen by whoever's network it is that I'm on?

My opinion I would have to say I'm safe. I mean if someone is dumb enough to
run an Wi-Fi network unsecured, chances are they are even dumber with
knowledge of how to obtain peoples personal information who might be
browsing their network.

Would you agree or disagree with this theory?

But getting back to Comcrap, for the next week or so I'm going to stay
conected to this persons network, to make sure that the person hasn't
disabled internet access between such and such hours. If all goes well, I'm
dumping Comcrap and I'm just going to use her connection to be online I
mean why should I pay for it if I don't have to? The cable prices alone are
getting out of control, they now charge in my area 50 bucks a month just for
basic and preferred that has 66 channels. With the dish networks, you pay
around 30 bucks a month and get way more then 66 channels. I'm getting tired
of their price gouging. So if I got rid of my own internet connection, I
would be saving a good 45 bucks a month which makes me a much happier
person.

P.S. If there is such a thing as a packet sniffer where people can read
your information that you send across their wireless network, is there any
kind of software I can obtain to install on my system that will block them
from being able to see it (even with such packet sniffers)?

Thanks.

A lot of wireless user are ignorant on how to protect their wireless set-up
from someone like you and and its their fault for not being educated on the
how-to(s). I also feel that it's part blame on the wireless manufacturers
for not having documantation in the router's user manual or in a seperate
booklet explaining wireless security fo the home user.

On the other hand, you're nothing but a low-life snake in the grass for
taking advantage of the situation.

Duane

On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 16:26:43 -0400, "Wi-Fi Dude" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>When I do a 'scan' with my wireless network adapter to scan for other
>networks in range, there has always been one connection that pops up ever
>since I have lived where I live at (for the past 6 months). The connection
>strength is between very good & excellent. So I assume it's someone in my
>building, or maybe even directly across the street, or the building next
>door to me...I'm not sure but anyways...
>
>Whenever my internet service has gone down (Comcrap AKA Comcast) I always
>connect to this other network to get back up online until Comcrap is fixed
>and comes back online. Comcrap is continuing to raise prices of their
>services and I'm getting tired of paying for it SO...
>
>The general question is: When I have been connecting to this other persons
>Wi-Fi network (which obviously is unsecured) when I have to sign onto my
>accounts via the web, is there anyway this person could be getting my
>passwords and user names (since the transmission is going through his/her
>connection)? Or does the person need some type of packet sniffer to get my
>information?
>
YES they can tell you are on and YES they can figure out who you are!

>I just want to know if it's safe as to what I'm doing or am I risking my
>personal information being stolen by whoever's network it is that I'm on?
>
YES your personal info is at risk. They just need a simple logger.

>My opinion I would have to say I'm safe. I mean if someone is dumb enough to
>run an Wi-Fi network unsecured, chances are they are even dumber with
>knowledge of how to obtain peoples personal information who might be
>browsing their network.
>
BZZZT...wrong answer! You KNOW about opions and assholes right?

>Would you agree or disagree with this theory?
>
NO!
>But getting back to Comcrap, for the next week or so I'm going to stay
>conected to this persons network, to make sure that the person hasn't
>disabled internet access between such and such hours. If all goes well, I'm
>dumping Comcrap and I'm just going to use her connection to be online I
>mean why should I pay for it if I don't have to? The cable prices alone are
>getting out of control, they now charge in my area 50 bucks a month just for
>basic and preferred that has 66 channels. With the dish networks, you pay
>around 30 bucks a month and get way more then 66 channels. I'm getting tired
>of their price gouging. So if I got rid of my own internet connection, I
>would be saving a good 45 bucks a month which makes me a much happier
>person.
>
>P.S. If there is such a thing as a packet sniffer where people can read
>your information that you send across their wireless network, is there any
>kind of software I can obtain to install on my system that will block them
>from being able to see it (even with such packet sniffers)?
>
Yes there are cheap/free packet sniffers out there, NO you cannot stop
one if they use one! You are using their conenction AFTER you would be
doing whatever, therefore the last point out is in their system and
they can log it and then read the logs and trun them over to the
Police. ORRRR they can just steal you blind by using your own codes
against you! Remember if you type it, it goes thru their system! That
means YOU are opening yourself up to identity theft and doing it ON
PURPOSE!!!

You should also be aware that if you are caught you can face a myriad
of charges from jail to fines. You are STEALING someone elses
bandwidth and that is against the law. Doesn't matter if they are
actually using it or not, they paid for it and you didn't! THEY get to
choose how it is used.

LOL, like you wouldn't...


"Duane Arnold" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:4Jlse.58463$_o.43360@attbi_s71...
>A lot of wireless user are ignorant on how to protect their wireless set-up
> from someone like you and and its their fault for not being educated on
> the
> how-to(s). I also feel that it's part blame on the wireless manufacturers
> for not having documantation in the router's user manual or in a seperate
> booklet explaining wireless security fo the home user.
>
> On the other hand, you're nothing but a low-life snake in the grass for
> taking advantage of the situation.
>
> Duane

Uhm there is NO law against using someone elses wi-fi connection idiot! If
someone does not secure their connection, it's their problem, not mine. The
law can't prosecute me for other peoples ignorance. That's just like you
saying that if I use all the free open wi-fi spots across the nation that
has no 'security' I would go to jail!

NOT!

Try again moron!


"f/fgeorge" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 16:26:43 -0400, "Wi-Fi Dude" <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote:
>
>>When I do a 'scan' with my wireless network adapter to scan for other
>>networks in range, there has always been one connection that pops up ever
>>since I have lived where I live at (for the past 6 months). The connection
>>strength is between very good & excellent. So I assume it's someone in my
>>building, or maybe even directly across the street, or the building next
>>door to me...I'm not sure but anyways...
>>
>>Whenever my internet service has gone down (Comcrap AKA Comcast) I always
>>connect to this other network to get back up online until Comcrap is fixed
>>and comes back online. Comcrap is continuing to raise prices of their
>>services and I'm getting tired of paying for it SO...
>>
>>The general question is: When I have been connecting to this other persons
>>Wi-Fi network (which obviously is unsecured) when I have to sign onto my
>>accounts via the web, is there anyway this person could be getting my
>>passwords and user names (since the transmission is going through his/her
>>connection)? Or does the person need some type of packet sniffer to get my
>>information?
>>
> YES they can tell you are on and YES they can figure out who you are!
>
>>I just want to know if it's safe as to what I'm doing or am I risking my
>>personal information being stolen by whoever's network it is that I'm on?
>>
> YES your personal info is at risk. They just need a simple logger.
>
>>My opinion I would have to say I'm safe. I mean if someone is dumb enough
>>to
>>run an Wi-Fi network unsecured, chances are they are even dumber with
>>knowledge of how to obtain peoples personal information who might be
>>browsing their network.
>>
> BZZZT...wrong answer! You KNOW about opions and assholes right?
>
>>Would you agree or disagree with this theory?
>>
> NO!
>>But getting back to Comcrap, for the next week or so I'm going to stay
>>conected to this persons network, to make sure that the person hasn't
>>disabled internet access between such and such hours. If all goes well,
>>I'm
>>dumping Comcrap and I'm just going to use her connection to be online I
>>mean why should I pay for it if I don't have to? The cable prices alone
>>are
>>getting out of control, they now charge in my area 50 bucks a month just
>>for
>>basic and preferred that has 66 channels. With the dish networks, you pay
>>around 30 bucks a month and get way more then 66 channels. I'm getting
>>tired
>>of their price gouging. So if I got rid of my own internet connection, I
>>would be saving a good 45 bucks a month which makes me a much happier
>>person.
>>
>>P.S. If there is such a thing as a packet sniffer where people can read
>>your information that you send across their wireless network, is there any
>>kind of software I can obtain to install on my system that will block them
>>from being able to see it (even with such packet sniffers)?
>>
> Yes there are cheap/free packet sniffers out there, NO you cannot stop
> one if they use one! You are using their conenction AFTER you would be
> doing whatever, therefore the last point out is in their system and
> they can log it and then read the logs and trun them over to the
> Police. ORRRR they can just steal you blind by using your own codes
> against you! Remember if you type it, it goes thru their system! That
> means YOU are opening yourself up to identity theft and doing it ON
> PURPOSE!!!
>
> You should also be aware that if you are caught you can face a myriad
> of charges from jail to fines. You are STEALING someone elses
> bandwidth and that is against the law. Doesn't matter if they are
> actually using it or not, they paid for it and you didn't! THEY get to
> choose how it is used.
>

On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 16:26:43 -0400, Wi-Fi Dude wrote:

> her connection

you know who it is then...

Wi-Fi Dude wrote:
> Uhm there is NO law against using someone elses wi-fi connection idiot! If
> someone does not secure their connection, it's their problem, not mine. The
> law can't prosecute me for other peoples ignorance. That's just like you
> saying that if I use all the free open wi-fi spots across the nation that
> has no 'security' I would go to jail!
>
> NOT!
>
> Try again moron!

I'm no lawyer, or legislator (although I am a student of criminology)
but you *may* be very wrong. Wi-Fi hot spots all have rules associated
with the use of their bandwidth and it's usually reserved for their
customers. In any event, they intend to make their network available. I
doubt your neighbor has that intention. If it were me, I'd very careful
about trespassing. The real issue is "will you get caught" and no one
can predict that.

As far as Comcast is concerned, take note: A while ago I called and
asked what it would cost to upgrade my cable package from Digital Silver
to Gold. I was told they had a special going and that for the next year,
I'd get a 50% reduction off the price-more for less! Not only that, they
reduced the cost of my Digital Internet from something like $ 41.95 a
month to $ 29.95. And all I had to do was ask if they had any specials.
Why am I telling you this? Call 'em and tell 'em your thinking of
switching to DSL and ask if they have any promotions available. You
might find you don't need to be trespassing at all.

Wi-Fi Dude wrote:

> LOL, like you wouldn't...

No I wouldn't I am not a snake and don't try do dog people out or take
advantage of them. I was brought up better than that.

Duane

On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 18:28:29 -0400, "Wi-Fi Dude" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>LOL, like you wouldn't...
>
>
>"Duane Arnold" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:4Jlse.58463$_o.43360@attbi_s71...
>>A lot of wireless user are ignorant on how to protect their wireless set-up
>> from someone like you and and its their fault for not being educated on
>> the
>> how-to(s). I also feel that it's part blame on the wireless manufacturers
>> for not having documantation in the router's user manual or in a seperate
>> booklet explaining wireless security fo the home user.
>>
>> On the other hand, you're nothing but a low-life snake in the grass for
>> taking advantage of the situation.
>>
>> Duane
>
NO I WOULDN'T! In fact I have SHOWN and talked to people how open
their systems are whenever I find them!

f/fgeorge <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 18:28:29 -0400, "Wi-Fi Dude" <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote:

>>LOL, like you wouldn't...
>>
>>
>>"Duane Arnold" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>news:4Jlse.58463$_o.43360@attbi_s71...
>>>A lot of wireless user are ignorant on how to protect their wireless set-up
>>> from someone like you and and its their fault for not being educated on
>>> the
>>> how-to(s). I also feel that it's part blame on the wireless manufacturers
>>> for not having documantation in the router's user manual or in a seperate
>>> booklet explaining wireless security fo the home user.
>>>
>>> On the other hand, you're nothing but a low-life snake in the grass for
>>> taking advantage of the situation.
>>>
>>> Duane
>>
> NO I WOULDN'T! In fact I have SHOWN and talked to people how open
> their systems are whenever I find them!

And how does that conversation start?