Macbook Airport & Open Networks

[Hicks.]

My broadband at home isn't too hot and drops out for hours at a time (I've already ascertained it's the providers fault- I'm at the distance limit to the exchange).

I can currently see two other networks. One is a closed network that requires a password; the other has a poor signal and I can log on (am actually posting from it now).

I'm assuming that the other two i can see are my next door neighbours- any way I can pin point the direction? And I assume that my macbook is secure to use the other open network (it is firewalled)?

 

[Transeau]

You can not pinpoint the direction with a Macbook.
You could get Kismac, or a WiSpy and figure out where the signal is strongest, but not pinpoint it.

Pinpointing a wireless signal requires triangulation, or a lot of walking around with a directional antenna.

The simplest way is to use a WiSpy and walk about looking for the strongest signal.

I assume you want to pinpoint it because you are going to ask permission to use the network... right? (It's a felony in most states now to use a wireless private wireless network without permissions. Even better, California is trying to pass a law requiring that all wireless networks be secured, with some pretty stiff fines if they are not.)

 

[Hicks.]

Thanks, I'll look up WiSpy then.

Oh and I'm fairly confident that it's not illegal to use somebody else's connection in the UK. If you leave it unsecured then its your look out. I was just wondering where the signal was coming from

 

[wookyhoo]

Oh and I'm fairly confident that it's not illegal to use somebody else's connection in the UK. If you leave it unsecured then its your look out. I was just wondering where the signal was coming from

"The Communications Act includes an offence of dishonestly obtaining an electronic communications service 'with intent to avoid payment of a charge applicable to the provision of that service'," said Robertson. "We've already seen a conviction in the UK for using someone else's Wi-Fi connection without authority."

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/04/wi-fi_warnings_legislated/

A man was last week fined £500 after a British jury found him guilty of using a neighborhood wireless broadband connection without permission. Gregory Straszkiewicz, 24, was also sentenced to a 12 months conditional discharge after he was convicted of dishonestly obtaining an communications service and related offences at London's Islewoth Crown Court last Wednesday (20 July).

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/25/uk_war_driver_fined/

 

[Hicks.]

It looks like there have been some (rare?) cases then.

Still, I wouldn't be concerned about doing it, and i still think the onus should be on the individual to password protect their own network.

 

[wookyhoo]

I left my car door unlocked for two minutes when I ran inside the other day.

Someone stole the car, but when I talked to the police, they said the onus was on me to always lock the car, and even though I knew who had taken the car, they didn't do anything about it.

I think it would be very unlucky if you were prosecuted, and I have done it myself in the past, but I completely disagree with your opinion that the onus is on the person to secure their own network (although at the same time I think they *should*, and I don't really blame you for using it).

 

[Hicks.]

Life's full of contradictions

 

[Hicks.]

I'm assuming that the other two i can see are my next door neighbours- any way I can pin point the direction? And I assume that my macbook is secure to use the other open network (it is firewalled)?

Any way, getting back on topic.....