Help Please... got a free connection and not enough knowledge

I purchased a new laptop 15 months ago, so naturally it is really old and
outdated now. My sister just bought a new one last month. Didn't take us
long to discover that a neighbor (we live in a townhome) was kind enough to
not secure their wireless network. My sister has been online using our
neighbors wireless network for weeks now.

My ancient laptop doesn't have built in wireless. It has the PCMIA...
whatever that's called ...

My question is this... what do I need to purchase to make my laptop connect
to the floating (and free) wireless signal... and

How can I set it up if I don't know the specifics (network name, any
password) etc.?
that was progammed into the host computer? and

Will I be able to use hotel wireless and "Hotspots" like airports, etc. with
whatever wireless stuff I add?

I know zero about this stuff so, anyone kind enough to answer this post,
please use elementary communication.

Thanks,--
Kara

You need to purchase a PCMCIA (PCCARD) wireless card for your laptop. You
can also buy one that plugs into the USB port. Make sure your laptop has USB
(it should, it's not *that* old). Any electronics store should have them.
Major brands are D-Link and NetGear.

Connecting to the 'free' network should be easy - the same way your sister
connected. They're probably broadcasting the SSID and it obviously doesn't
need a password because your sister connects OK.

Yes, you can then connect to other networks.

MD





"Truerarity" wrote:

> I purchased a new laptop 15 months ago, so naturally it is really old and
> outdated now. My sister just bought a new one last month. Didn't take us
> long to discover that a neighbor (we live in a townhome) was kind enough to
> not secure their wireless network. My sister has been online using our
> neighbors wireless network for weeks now.
>
> My ancient laptop doesn't have built in wireless. It has the PCMIA...
> whatever that's called ...
>
> My question is this... what do I need to purchase to make my laptop connect
> to the floating (and free) wireless signal... and
>
> How can I set it up if I don't know the specifics (network name, any
> password) etc.?
> that was progammed into the host computer? and
>
> Will I be able to use hotel wireless and "Hotspots" like airports, etc. with
> whatever wireless stuff I add?
>
> I know zero about this stuff so, anyone kind enough to answer this post,
> please use elementary communication.
>
> Thanks,--
> Kara

Thank you...

Kara


"MadDog" wrote:

> You need to purchase a PCMCIA (PCCARD) wireless card for your laptop. You
> can also buy one that plugs into the USB port. Make sure your laptop has USB
> (it should, it's not *that* old). Any electronics store should have them.
> Major brands are D-Link and NetGear.
>
> Connecting to the 'free' network should be easy - the same way your sister
> connected. They're probably broadcasting the SSID and it obviously doesn't
> need a password because your sister connects OK.
>
> Yes, you can then connect to other networks.
>
> MD
>
>
>
>
>
> "Truerarity" wrote:
>
> > I purchased a new laptop 15 months ago, so naturally it is really old and
> > outdated now. My sister just bought a new one last month. Didn't take us
> > long to discover that a neighbor (we live in a townhome) was kind enough to
> > not secure their wireless network. My sister has been online using our
> > neighbors wireless network for weeks now.
> >
> > My ancient laptop doesn't have built in wireless. It has the PCMIA...
> > whatever that's called ...
> >
> > My question is this... what do I need to purchase to make my laptop connect
> > to the floating (and free) wireless signal... and
> >
> > How can I set it up if I don't know the specifics (network name, any
> > password) etc.?
> > that was progammed into the host computer? and
> >
> > Will I be able to use hotel wireless and "Hotspots" like airports, etc. with
> > whatever wireless stuff I add?
> >
> > I know zero about this stuff so, anyone kind enough to answer this post,
> > please use elementary communication.
> >
> > Thanks,--
> > Kara

A note of caution: Be wary of "Free" connections - not all are safe. Some
are set up as deliberate traps for the unwary.

I know of more than one person who was "piggybacking" on an unsecured
wireless network connection and shortly thereafter had their identities
stolen or the bank account emptied.

Be aware that it is VERY easy to set up an unsecured wireless network and
record every bit of traffic that goes through it, including IDs and
Passwords. Using freely-downloadable Linux it can be set up in minutes with
no special software at all.

--
WLW

"Truerarity" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:320EF8EF-C8D0-44A6-9771-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thank you...
>
> Kara
>
>
> "MadDog" wrote:
>
>> You need to purchase a PCMCIA (PCCARD) wireless card for your laptop.
>> You
>> can also buy one that plugs into the USB port. Make sure your laptop has
>> USB
>> (it should, it's not *that* old). Any electronics store should have
>> them.
>> Major brands are D-Link and NetGear.
>>
>> Connecting to the 'free' network should be easy - the same way your
>> sister
>> connected. They're probably broadcasting the SSID and it obviously
>> doesn't
>> need a password because your sister connects OK.
>>
>> Yes, you can then connect to other networks.
>>
>> MD
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Truerarity" wrote:
>>
>> > I purchased a new laptop 15 months ago, so naturally it is really old
>> > and
>> > outdated now. My sister just bought a new one last month. Didn't take
>> > us
>> > long to discover that a neighbor (we live in a townhome) was kind
>> > enough to
>> > not secure their wireless network. My sister has been online using our
>> > neighbors wireless network for weeks now.
>> >
>> > My ancient laptop doesn't have built in wireless. It has the PCMIA...
>> > whatever that's called ...
>> >
>> > My question is this... what do I need to purchase to make my laptop
>> > connect
>> > to the floating (and free) wireless signal... and
>> >
>> > How can I set it up if I don't know the specifics (network name, any
>> > password) etc.?
>> > that was progammed into the host computer? and
>> >
>> > Will I be able to use hotel wireless and "Hotspots" like airports, etc.
>> > with
>> > whatever wireless stuff I add?
>> >
>> > I know zero about this stuff so, anyone kind enough to answer this
>> > post,
>> > please use elementary communication.
>> >
>> > Thanks,--
>> > Kara

Does your neighbour know you are using their connection? I would be very
careful of these situations, if your neighbour has not given you permission
and gets wind of these activities there may be legal ramifications.


--
All the best,

Ryan Younger.
http://spaces.msn.com/members/wirelessnetworking/ - Ryan's Wireless
Networking Weblog

(E-Mail Removed)


"Truerarity" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:26D23E39-0D73-4791-9679-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I purchased a new laptop 15 months ago, so naturally it is really old and
> outdated now. My sister just bought a new one last month. Didn't take us
> long to discover that a neighbor (we live in a townhome) was kind enough
> to
> not secure their wireless network. My sister has been online using our
> neighbors wireless network for weeks now.
>
> My ancient laptop doesn't have built in wireless. It has the PCMIA...
> whatever that's called ...
>
> My question is this... what do I need to purchase to make my laptop
> connect
> to the floating (and free) wireless signal... and
>
> How can I set it up if I don't know the specifics (network name, any
> password) etc.?
> that was progammed into the host computer? and
>
> Will I be able to use hotel wireless and "Hotspots" like airports, etc.
> with
> whatever wireless stuff I add?
>
> I know zero about this stuff so, anyone kind enough to answer this post,
> please use elementary communication.
>
> Thanks,--
> Kara

Would they be able to know and, if so, how could they find out this if they
don't know enough about computers to even secure it in the first place?

This really shines a bright light on several previous responses about this
signal being unsecured intentionally.

Perhaps I just pay for a cable connection.

Thanks to all who answered.
--
Kara


"Ryan Younger" wrote:

> Does your neighbour know you are using their connection? I would be very
> careful of these situations, if your neighbour has not given you permission
> and gets wind of these activities there may be legal ramifications.
>
>
> --
> All the best,
>
> Ryan Younger.
> http://spaces.msn.com/members/wirelessnetworking/ - Ryan's Wireless
> Networking Weblog
>
> (E-Mail Removed)
>
>
> "Truerarity" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:26D23E39-0D73-4791-9679-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >I purchased a new laptop 15 months ago, so naturally it is really old and
> > outdated now. My sister just bought a new one last month. Didn't take us
> > long to discover that a neighbor (we live in a townhome) was kind enough
> > to
> > not secure their wireless network. My sister has been online using our
> > neighbors wireless network for weeks now.
> >
> > My ancient laptop doesn't have built in wireless. It has the PCMIA...
> > whatever that's called ...
> >
> > My question is this... what do I need to purchase to make my laptop
> > connect
> > to the floating (and free) wireless signal... and
> >
> > How can I set it up if I don't know the specifics (network name, any
> > password) etc.?
> > that was progammed into the host computer? and
> >
> > Will I be able to use hotel wireless and "Hotspots" like airports, etc.
> > with
> > whatever wireless stuff I add?
> >
> > I know zero about this stuff so, anyone kind enough to answer this post,
> > please use elementary communication.
> >
> > Thanks,--
> > Kara
>
>
>

Thank you for answering..

Do you know what happens in hotels and hotspot, etc.

For example.... Budda checks into a motel and uses their wireless to pay his
bills or check his company email. Can others using the same wireless system
see what he is doing? If so, why do people want wireless everywhere?

--
Kara


"(E-Mail Removed)" wrote:

>
> On 6-Dec-2005, "=?Utf-8?B?VHJ1ZXJhcml0eQ==?=" <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote:
>
> > Would they be able to know and, if so, how could they find out this if they
> > don't know enough about computers to even secure it in the first place?
>
> There is packet monitoring software, and with an insecure network the
> captured packets show things like login name, passwords, and most
> other things you do when accessing the network, such as the websites
> you visit, what you download, and enough to identify who you are.
> Because it is insecure, anyone with a wireless enabled laptop can
> do the same, it may not be the person who is paying for the connection,
> it may be a total stranger.
> So if you share, or hijack, a nearby insecure connection there is no
> easy way to know if everything you do is being evesdropped by a stranger.
> The guy with the insecure network is only a minor worry if he is
> not competent enough to secure it.
>

that is why those who know use secure web sites and vpn's to their company
to encrypt traffic in hotels or on any unknown network. most banking sites
are already encrypted, the big problems are things like logging in to your
isp's pop3 server that takes a plain text password or visiting your favorite
porn site that doesn't encrypt the login.

"Truerarity" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:CCABB37D-DC87-49B7-B753-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thank you for answering..
>
> Do you know what happens in hotels and hotspot, etc.
>
> For example.... Budda checks into a motel and uses their wireless to pay
> his
> bills or check his company email. Can others using the same wireless
> system
> see what he is doing? If so, why do people want wireless everywhere?
>
> --
> Kara
>
>
> "(E-Mail Removed)" wrote:
>
>>
>> On 6-Dec-2005, "=?Utf-8?B?VHJ1ZXJhcml0eQ==?="
>> <(E-Mail Removed)>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > Would they be able to know and, if so, how could they find out this if
>> > they
>> > don't know enough about computers to even secure it in the first place?
>>
>> There is packet monitoring software, and with an insecure network the
>> captured packets show things like login name, passwords, and most
>> other things you do when accessing the network, such as the websites
>> you visit, what you download, and enough to identify who you are.
>> Because it is insecure, anyone with a wireless enabled laptop can
>> do the same, it may not be the person who is paying for the connection,
>> it may be a total stranger.
>> So if you share, or hijack, a nearby insecure connection there is no
>> easy way to know if everything you do is being evesdropped by a stranger.
>> The guy with the insecure network is only a minor worry if he is
>> not competent enough to secure it.
>>

It all makes sense now. Thanks bunches.

Ok... I just purchased a linkseys USB adapter... fixing to attempt to
connect to my generous neighbor's wireless. I will probably be back here in
a few minutes with a new list of questions.

Meant to ask.. what is your favorite porn site...I have a few photos on
several of them, but never view sites...but glad ya'll do... real glad...
keep it up (pun intended).

Again, thanks for all the advice.

--
Kara


"Dave" wrote:

> that is why those who know use secure web sites and vpn's to their company
> to encrypt traffic in hotels or on any unknown network. most banking sites
> are already encrypted, the big problems are things like logging in to your
> isp's pop3 server that takes a plain text password or visiting your favorite
> porn site that doesn't encrypt the login.
>
> "Truerarity" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:CCABB37D-DC87-49B7-B753-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Thank you for answering..
> >
> > Do you know what happens in hotels and hotspot, etc.
> >
> > For example.... Budda checks into a motel and uses their wireless to pay
> > his
> > bills or check his company email. Can others using the same wireless
> > system
> > see what he is doing? If so, why do people want wireless everywhere?
> >
> > --
> > Kara
> >
> >
> > "(E-Mail Removed)" wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> On 6-Dec-2005, "=?Utf-8?B?VHJ1ZXJhcml0eQ==?="
> >> <(E-Mail Removed)>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> > Would they be able to know and, if so, how could they find out this if
> >> > they
> >> > don't know enough about computers to even secure it in the first place?
> >>
> >> There is packet monitoring software, and with an insecure network the
> >> captured packets show things like login name, passwords, and most
> >> other things you do when accessing the network, such as the websites
> >> you visit, what you download, and enough to identify who you are.
> >> Because it is insecure, anyone with a wireless enabled laptop can
> >> do the same, it may not be the person who is paying for the connection,
> >> it may be a total stranger.
> >> So if you share, or hijack, a nearby insecure connection there is no
> >> easy way to know if everything you do is being evesdropped by a stranger.
> >> The guy with the insecure network is only a minor worry if he is
> >> not competent enough to secure it.
> >>
>
>
>