Wifi Info Question
 

Ok so my netbook has been slow and acting up. I live in a highrise so realize there are others out there that possibly may be tapping into my wifi. I really need to change my very easy password. It doesn't sound easy to do though so am waiting for a friend to help me re that soon.

My question is, when I click on my "network sharing" on my netbook, I seem to see others on my "Infrastructure". Example: When I look at my infrastructure I do not just see my Linsys router, but others, especially one Belkin. I do not have a Belkin router. Is this something to be worried about? Or is it just showing people that just are nearby in my apt. complex who are online? I'd show a screenshot but it is a Word doc and not sure how to post it here as an example. Just want to make sure nobody is spying on my wifi or my PC, who managed to figure out my too easy password.

Any info would be appreciately greatly LOL, just to reduce my paranoia if nothing else.

Re: Wifi Info Question
 

I'm pretty sure that when other routers come up, it's just because they're also wireless ones in close proximity to you. Same thing happens with ours.

Re: Wifi Info Question
 

Cool, thanks Wolf Rider2, makes me feel better! :)

Re: Wifi Info Question
 

It's just other people near you. There's no need for you to worry. If their systems are unprotected it won't really affect you unless you find a way to use them, which I presume is not your intent.

Re: Wifi Info Question
 

These other networks you see should also tell you whether the network is secured or unsecured. AAMOF your network should appear as an available network and it should be flagged as secure if you indeed have a password set up.

Re: Wifi Info Question
 

Re: Wifi Info Question
 

LZ, seen any "interesting" names amongst those other routers? It can be quite amusing what people call them :D

Re: Wifi Info Question
 

Old thread here, LadyZ... basics of security without the details of how to do it :)

To fix that omission, open a web browser while connected physically to your router (ie with a wire) and go to the router's home page. For Linksys, the default is 192.168.1.1; Netgear is 192.168.0.1. Wander around the pages there and you can see the things you can change. If ever in doubt of whether or not you changed something, close your browser :) And if need be, you can hard-reset the router to factory defaults.

In addition to the three things I listed in that link (broadcast SID, password, MAC Filter), I'd also change the IP address range from 192.168.0/1. Use an oddball number... not one ending in a 5 or 0. If someone's trying to sneak in, they'll either use a full scanner (in which case number doesn't matter) or they'll try "obvious" combinations... .5, .10, .50, .100, etc.

Your goal should not be to make yours completely secure. Rather, you want to make it secure enough that they give up and try an easier target ;)

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions, or if you want to hook up on Skype, I can walk you through the steps. Doesn't take long.

Re: Wifi Info Question
 

Hey Bungleau, may have fixed it, but not exactly sure. PM me your Skype ID (not just for help but I have so few on my Skype, I'd love to add anyone from here on there :) )

Re: Wifi Info Question
 

Oh yes I've seen a few amusing names. So far the most amusing one was "FBI Surveillance Van"