A neighbor is mooching off of my wireless internet

[Matt Jay]

I recently hooked up a wireless router so my gf can access the internet with her laptop. I installed a trial program of Network Magic, which basically shows me who is using my connection, but to my knowledge won't let me prevent them from using it. I just saw that someone I don't know has been using my connection lately.

Is there some kind of software I can download that will let me lock them out? Or is there some other fun thing I can do to fuck with them? It would be awesome if I could view everything they visit and hijack their email or something.

[mattbrand]

You should be able to get into the wireless router configuration page using the address "192.168.1.1" in a browser. If that doesn't work, check the manual for the router.

Once in there, you can block certain computers, or limit access by a password, or make it so only certain MAC addresses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_address) can have access to it. I did it at my business...its not that hard. If you choose a direction, and want more tips, let me know.

[Jim T.]

Why wouldn't you just enable your security so no one can use the connection without a password?

[LowKey]

All you need to do is enter an encryption key. If you don't know how to do it, contact your internet provider. I used to work for SBC, and I was privy to many horror stories on pirated internet usage...you are very fortunate that it's 'only' a neighbor.

[tjtolosa]

I just got a laptop with wireless access for Christmas and was amazed to see how many of my neighbors had unsecured wireless networks. I have my own wireless router that is secured, so I don't use theirs, but I coldn't believe how ignorant most people are about this stuff.

[Simps]

password protect?

[sto110]

to secure yourself read up on wireless security, it is easy and all you need to do is read your manual

to fuck with them, if you have thier ip address you may be able to get in through the admin share. you could also set up your router to redirect them to a certain website or block thier access.

[Fourthman]

Configure your router and all the wireless devices (adaptors) to use a WPA passkey of your own determination. That way you don't have to enter the password yourself every time.

[greg donovan]

the mooks that i work with all brag about stealing access from their neighbors.

kind of pisses me off. however, their neighbors should be encrypting the wireless. btu these fuckers should quit mooching and pony up the money for their own damn internet access.

[gwyllgi]

i'm interested in a wireless connection myself. how do you go about setting them up? do they cost as much as cable?

[Wagon]

you can run a wireless connection off of your existing internet service, with a wireless router... just plug your connection into the router, and it will broadcast the signal, which can be then picked up by any computer with a wiFi card...

not too hard to set up, really, and it's not too hard to encrypt it, either.

[greg donovan]

i'm interested in a wireless connection myself. how do you go about setting them up? do they cost as much as cable?

you have to allready have internet access to use wireless.

so your monthly bill will be the same.

to get wireless you buy a wireless router.

you then run cable from the modem to the router and that will send the signal to you 'puter.

they cost anywhere from 30 dollars and up.

[Donal DeLay]

Or is there some other fun thing I can do to fuck with them? Yeah, you could call the internet provider and let them know this man is piggy-backing on your connection.

Isn't that illegal?

[WAKKAJAWAKKA]

Some Sort Of Violent Spree Would Probobly Solve That Problem.

Wayno.

[Fourthman]

i'm interested in a wireless connection myself. how do you go about setting them up? do they cost as much as cable?
Wireless, to my understanding, is used in tandem with Cable or DSL. So you pay for one of the two to be brought into your home, but then you share that connection with your home PC's (or TiVo's, or X-Box 360s [welcome to my nightmare]) with a wireless router and adapters. The router gets a wired feed from the service coming into your house and broadcasts it wirelessly. The adapters pick the signal up. All of the equipment comes with (usually good) manuals that tell you how to configure them. The adapters and the router should make reference to WPA. Just make sure you have the same WPA key when you set up the router as you do when you set up the adapter and you've got a secure wireless network.

[LowKey]

i'm interested in a wireless connection myself. how do you go about setting them up? do they cost as much as cable?

A wireless router/receiver uses your existing high speed connection, whether it's cable or DSL. If you already have a high speed connection, you can pick up a decent router/pci card bundle for about $100. Makes a world of difference.

[gwyllgi]

you have to allready have internet access to use wireless.

so your monthly bill will be the same.

to get wireless you buy a wireless router.

you then run cable from the modem to the router and that will send the signal to you 'puter.

they cost anywhere from 30 dollars and up.

woot.
i have cable now. well i won't in a few hours cos i'm poor. but i'm thinking of getting a wireless modem/router etc.

[mattbrand]

woot.
i have cable now. well i won't in a few hours cos i'm poor. but i'm thinking of getting a wireless modem/router etc.

The modem won't be wireless...just the router. The modem will work just like normal, hooking into the DSL or Cable. Then you plug that into the wireless router, and it transmits the signals to and from the modem.

[Smokinblues]

the best way to lock your wireless all the way down is to allow only known mac addresses to connect, and to list them manually in the router. This can be a pain in the ass, but it's the most secure way to run the wireless.

at a minimum turn off ssid broadcast, and enable wep or wpa, whichever your browser supports. (WEP is kinda like a standard door lock. Worthless is someone really wants in, but usually so many people aren't locked they usually just move on.)

[Matt Jay]

Thanks for the suggestions. Even though I don't understand 90% of what you people are saying. I can't get my password to adjust my router settings to work, so I'll wait for my lady to get home and tell me what she did with the manual.

[mattbrand]

For a lot of routers the default username is 'admin', and the password is 'password'.

[Smokinblues]

http://www.cnet.com/4520-10192_1-6411694-1.html

here's a decent read at cnet that might help you understand more.

[Jim T.]

I recently hooked up a wireless router so my gf can access the internet with her laptop. I installed a trial program of Network Magic, which basically shows me who is using my connection, but to my knowledge won't let me prevent them from using it. I just saw that someone I don't know has been using my connection lately.

Is there some kind of software I can download that will let me lock them out? Or is there some other fun thing I can do to fuck with them? It would be awesome if I could view everything they visit and hijack their email or something.

What you could do to get back at him, once you've put your security in place, is re-name your router - it usually just has a sequence of numbers, which is what your moocher sees when he logs on. Re-name it to "FuckYou" or "NotAnymore" or "CheapBastard" or something like that.

[justjeffery]

i'm interested in a wireless connection myself. how do you go about setting them up? do they cost as much as cable?

I've got wireless and I love it. I'm using bellsouth DSL... they sent me the hardware for my main pc and the software to load... all very simple. Went to the other computers, searched for the network, put in the WEP key and viola, they were on. Now I can access with my PSP etc with no problems what so ever... It was only like 5 bucks more than regular DSL...

[RegularJoe]

I recently hooked up a wireless router so my gf can access the internet with her laptop. I installed a trial program of Network Magic, which basically shows me who is using my connection, but to my knowledge won't let me prevent them from using it. I just saw that someone I don't know has been using my connection lately.

Is there some kind of software I can download that will let me lock them out? Or is there some other fun thing I can do to fuck with them? It would be awesome if I could view everything they visit and hijack their email or something.

i didn't know we were neighbors. i do that all the time.

[Blake Sims]

my friend drives around town with his laptop looking for connections...I am ashamed of him...

[nihilance]

my friend drives around town with his laptop looking for connections...I am ashamed of him...
Didn't some guy in Florida get arrested a few months back for parking out in front of some guys house with a laptop and stealing some guy's wireless connection?

[Matt Jay]

You should be able to get into the wireless router configuration page using the address "192.168.1.1" in a browser. If that doesn't work, check the manual for the router.

Once in there, you can block certain computers, or limit access by a password, or make it so only certain MAC addresses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_address) can have access to it. I did it at my business...its not that hard. If you choose a direction, and want more tips, let me know.
Kick ass! I found the manual. It turns out I had to leave "password" blank. Then I followed this method and it was easier than hell. Thanks again all!

ps- I also changed my network name to Jenniferisaslut. The name of my thieving neighbor is apparently Jennifer. I'm so fucking mature it hurts.

[mattbrand]

Kick ass! I found the manual. It turns out I had to leave "password" blank. Then I followed this method and it was easier than hell. Thanks again all!

ps- I also changed my network name to Jenniferisaslut. The name of my thieving neighbor is apparently Jennifer. I'm so fucking mature it hurts.

Great man! Glad you got it figured out.