wireless mistery!

If you have a laptop, you could carry it around, and make a note of where you lose the connection - you should be able to get an idea of location by circling the source.

tanks for the reply-I did remember that , and if ther~es not another way perhaps I will

(I just dont want to be seen like a crazy person , I live in a very s´mall town)

still maintain the question...is there not a software that is able to map the signal origin?

I doubt it. You'll only be picking up an 802.11 type signal (like a wireless intercom) - I don't think there'll be any information in it which would give the geographical location of the source.

In order to detect the source, you would use a triangulation method. For cell phones the police has an answer. For a radio waves transmitter you would have to find the direction of the strongest signal. In your wireless network software in your computer, they show the strength of the signal. By moving the position of your laptop, find the direction that gives you 5 bars. Go to another room and repeat. I don't think that the source is very far from your house, those transmitters are not allowed for covering a large area.

I understand that you are looking for the source of this service in order to pay them. I am impressed.

I loved that answer!!!

not really, but I am curious to know!

(any way, for my expirence I find hard to believe that someone is so generous just to let others surf the net.It is making me wonder)

but I will check for the source...!now I really should

They are not being generous, just completely stupid! They have not set up the WLAN to prevent unauthorized usage.

In Germany, it has happened that people have sent Child Pornography over such open networks, the police track the network down, THE OWNER OF THE NETWORK IS THEN HELD RESPONSIBLE!!!!!

I used to travel a lot and I could almost guarantee an open network near to my hotel, so I would use it to send my data back home, but illegally.....no porn or anything....

I would guess and say that at least 40% of private WLANs are not protected!!!

I would guess that of all the people using WLAN for CR4, 20% of the people reading this Blog are working over unprotected WLANs....

If you want to find it, make a simple map of your area, walk around with your laptop and using the signal strength indications, find a rough circle of the same strength. The WLAN will be approximately in the middle of this circle....

I agree Andy. Personally though, I use a wireless router in my home and have it password protected. Since I have several computers in my house, I use the wireless to transmit to/from any of them so I can let them all run on a single DSL.

However, this question/answers brings up the issue of using free wireless sites in a hotel room. Typically, they dont seem to be password protected. I know of some persons (not me) that live near a hotel that is so equipped that use their signal. I know it is not legal, but I suspect the hotel doesnt know or care.

You don't say what equipment you are using to pick it up with.

The range of most of them are very limited, My WiFi on the ADSL do about 50m max. (it works in the one lane of my driveway but not on the closer side. The infrared, and Bluetooth do less (I think).

It would be hard to get into the network of the mobile providers.

A friend of mine runs a wireless network between his house and workshop (±2.5km) using directional aerials. It may be one of these.

In SA we also have private networks operated by volunteers acting as sub and base stations and repeaters. You may have one of those close by.

Another possibility may be that a service provider offers the service for free to increase their membership (the may like drug dealers claim their pound of flesh later when you are hooked.

Ann off-topic comment that may be applicable.

An old lady was complaining about the activities at a nudist colony. While investigating the inspector said to her "but you cannot even see them from here" on which she replied "If I put a chair on the table with a Websters dictionary on top, I can" (that was an educated complaint.)

hello Hendrik!

it may be the case here, cos I really dont see how the hell , in the place I live , and with the neigbours that I have ,to get a wireless network from them!

theres just might be the case to have directional repeater and my house happens to be on the way somehow.

any way , Ill if I found out the source and let you guys know!

I had a similar kind of thing ages ago. I was trying to get my ancient laptop (running Windows ME & fitted with a Cisco wireless card) to talk to my desktop (running XP, with a Belkin card).

Never did get them talking to each other, but at the time I was on dial-up for internet access - and for a few brief, glorious days I got wireless connections to the net on both machines.

Then it all went dead .

well, I hope that wont be the case here, since free net is available-I just want to make sure that it cames from a "safe" user.

electronick,

If you want to find the source, be sure to first find the public-facing ip on that network. You can do this by running traceroute. Once you have that ip address, you can search the arin whois database to find the registered owner of that ip. You should then know whether or not the ip is owned by a commercial service provider or some other entity.
You should try not run any active network scans until you know who the owner is. But if curiosity is too much, then use nmap and be sure to set the ids evasion options.

You should use a directed antenna like this one:

With this antenna you will be able to find the direction of source. If you do that from two different location and draw the directions to a map you will find the wifi hotspot.

I am pretty sure that you can make a rudimentary version of one of these directional antennas with a Pringles can. If your wireless network card has a detachable antenna, just use a cable to extend it from the card and then nest the antenna in the bottom of the can.

Now you can simply adjust your aim of the open end of the can and monitor your signal strength. It may not be perfect, but it will get the job done.

I agree completely....

if you're running winxp or similar u can look at the connection related ip addresses if u double click on the connection icon in the lower right of the screen. Then switch to the support tab and its details on the screen that comes up. Also the owner usually puts a name on the connection...my local library has wireless service that can be accessed from a pretty good distance too.

yes, i´ve tried that, but the public IP for this conection is in the Netherlands (and I am from Portugal).I do know the ISP(one at least) here that uses the connection bettwen the service in the Netherlands.

I am curious to know were the signal came from and if it is a risk to me to use this connection.

I keep all informed-perhaps tonight I start to make the signal map!

cheers

ok, sounds like it's not just a local thing. if the default gateway was 192.168.1.1 i would guess it's just a local wireless router. sounds like a true hardy boys mystery!

Google "shopping" bluetooth and 802.11 wireless and you will eventually find a pcmcia card for your laptop that has a self contained locator device that will tell you where a signal is coming from, it's strength and various other details.

Max out.

One thing is that your internet connection (browsing, passwords, etc.), everything you do is transparent to the WLAN owner! Could be intentionally unprotected, apparently free but with a much higher later cost for you. I would avoid doing any online banking through it!

Looking for clues could result in a much shorter answer to your question. In my area hotels have WLAN's (free internet service to their guests) and it radiates to a few blocks distance. You may look also for some other business having a number of computers in your neighborhood.

If you live by the ocean, it might be a ship anchored in the territorial waters. They have satellite up & down links and sometimes powerful WLANs to go through so much metal there.

That was one of my fears...that this wireless conection could be established with a not so honest intent!

I, now, believe that this conection is open to the ISP technicians , that are setting the cable connections betwen areas to access internet. but ...!

I will follow your advice , and never do home banking trough this!

tanks!

My pleasure.

If it would be just for their technicians, then they should have a password to access the hub. Be cautious and avoid the usage of any password such as for opening an email account. Have the Firewall on, some spyware protection, etc.

Regards

Not to scare anybody and certainly not to try to make it sound like i agree with this but....

We had several people convicted of wireless signal theft in the UK recently. They were found to park up in a street where there was a wireless signal open and than they would stay for a while and conduct their business. The locals got wind of it and contacted the police which moved in and arested several of these "thiefs"

Obviously I do not condone this pc crap but the originator of the signal (who pays for it) should make sure his or her signal is closed to others. In my world you can use it all you like, tough shit for the ones who pick up the bill. Don't think you are not being told how to protect yourself, you are, it comes often even in the package with the kit and the software. You are too lazy to learn how to, you suffer the consequences of the signal theft.

hello folks!

I am glad to know that this question brought so many views!

I have just made the screening to my house sourroudings , and , personally got the conclusion that the signal in question , is , in fact , a oriented signal from a ISP , from Portugal.

I , now know that my house happens to be in the way...perhaps someday the open signal will disapear (hope not).

I want to tank all of you from your comments.

there is still many questions that I would like to talk about, and hope to ...!

have a very nice day, all of you !

Anybody knows what is FON Spot?

I found some software that claims to put a map on the PC screen and show on that map where all local and receivable to you WLAN sources are.

I have no idea how it works, so do not bother to ask!!

If anyone wants a copy (its freeware) then email me over CR4, but give me your own email address, I will then send a copy. That is not possible over the CR4 email address....

The program is called:- wlandscape_build0461.zip

I got it from:-

Chip magazine, Germany

But the site is in German, just click on the download button and you should be OK. The pictures show a detailed map......

So you might find it on the web as well somewhere.

An English (written in English, its German Software) website that appears to have written it as a University project can be found at:-

WLANdscape

My copy was supplied by the German Magazine where I downloaded it, so at least my copy should be safe, tested and not infected in anyway....they thought it was great!!

If you try it out, please let us all know exactly how you got on with it.

I did notice one problem for some (not me!), it is compatible to ALL Windows versions EXCEPT Vista......