unrestricted wireless lan questions

I got a new laptop last week. It has a Wireless LAN which was "On" by default. Visiting, where I usually plug into a phone modem connection - I got a screen message saying that I was in range of a usable wireless signal. I’m new to this, but I tried it out and sure enough I got a connection. Curious I tested an upload.
I uploaded at 121 kps versus the usual 5 kps for dial-up. This was a great and unexpected find. I don’t know where the signal originated - probably a neighbor.

But this bring up several questions:
* Is this use of signal legal? Is this considered a signal in the public domain - like a radio signal?
* Can my presence on that network be detected?
* Can I be identified?
* Can my web activities be seen by others on that network?
* Can my uploads be seen by anyone using that network?
* Can my downloads be seen?

Thanks,
Charlie

 

Yes, it is someone nearby who has broadband access and a wireless network setup. Normally the range is under a hundred feet, although I have seen wireless routers claiming ranges up to one mile.

Now that is a good (and touchy) question. Basically it depends on whether they did this intentionally or just do not know that they should protect their network with a password and encryption. It is possible that they have bandwidth they are paying for and do not mind that others who do not have it share it. They have set up this network as a free wireless hotspot. Some motels, coffee shops, fast food restaurants etc do this as a freebie for customers. Some individuals set up one network for themselves and a second to share the wealth. If on the other hand , they just did not know that they had to protect their network or anyone could access it, then basically you are trespassing and stealing a service.
Although rarely prosecuted, this is a crime.

Yes. First thing is that every access to the network is logged into the router log. They have the mac address ( a unique identifier number assigned to each network adapter; ethernet , wireless, firewire etc; at the factory. No other machine or wireless adapter in the world has the same number. Most also log the machine name and the IP address assigned time on and off the network etc.
Now this alone will not tell them whom you are, but they would know they have unauthorized access when they see an extra login and a mac address not present on any of their machines. At this point, if they wanted they could install a packet sniffer and monitor all traffic being sent to you and open email etc to see who you are.

See the above explanation. If they do not know you are there, they will not bother. If they do realize you are there, and want to find out what you are up to, yes they can install monitoring software which will log all your activities, send a duplicate of all traffic to another machine for monitoring etc.



Are they likely to go to this extreme? No , most likely it is either an open hotspot or someone who does not know enough about computers to know that they should password protect their wireless network.

 

Agreed, especially if they don't understand the need to protect their network. This is very common. Some take the view that if it is unprotected it is fair game, but as stated earlier it really is not legal.

DRD