Glen T
join:2003-11-03
BC
| reply to GadgetsRme
Re: Hiding unsecured wireless networks
My solution has been to restrict Internet access. With more responsible Internet usage, the restriction is removed or reduced. With irresponsible usage, access becomes more limited.
With all due respect, I don't really need parenting advice. This was a technical question. |
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javaMan
Premium,MVM
join:2002-07-15
San Luis Obispo, CA
| said by Glen T  :. . . With all due respect, I don't really need parenting advice. This was a technical question. I think your best bet is going to be locating the neighbor, explaining your situation, and see if he can secure his network. I don't think there's much you can do on your end other than trying some of the suggestions others have offered, social solutions though they may be.
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Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness. . . Isa. 5:20 |
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Glen T
join:2003-11-03
BC
| I appreciate that you have taken the time to respond. However, I am not getting a clear indication from any posting so far that what I am asking is either impossible, or that the posters don't know the answer.
I kind of assumed that this would be something that a network administrator in a downtown office would have run into. Scenario: admin places restrictions on company access to Internet via wireless connection and enterprising employees find ways to circumvent by logging onto unsecured wireless network of John Doe, accountant, on the next floor.
I guess I figured that there would be some registry tweak that would simply hide all non-secured networks in the XP Wireless Network Connection viewer.
As to canvassing the neighbourhood, how would you take it if a complete stranger banged on your door and asked if you had a wireless network in your home? I'd tell the guy to get lost. This is not a practical solution. However, I *could* disable both of them. Maybe that's the best solution -- caveat emptor... |
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javaMan
Premium,MVM
join:2002-07-15
San Luis Obispo, CA
| said by Glen T :. . . As to canvassing the neighbourhood, how would you take it if a complete stranger banged on your door and asked if you had a wireless network in your home? I'd tell the guy to get lost. This is not a practical solution. However, I *could* disable both of them. Maybe that's the best solution -- caveat emptor... Personally? I wouldn't mind at all if someone were to explain the situation. In fact, I would be thankful that it was brought it to my attention that someone was sucking my bandwidth. But I do understand your point of view. I have no clue what your situation is, especially if you live in the city. I live in a more rural area and tend to think in different terms I guess. 
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Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness. . . Isa. 5:20 |
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Nerdtalker
Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-02-18
Tucson, AZ
clubs:
| reply to Glen T
said by Glen T :However, I *could* disable both of them. Maybe that's the best solution -- caveat emptor... There are a few wireless APs/routers that'll allow you to decrease signal power through their web-based configuration interface.
A bunch of D-Link APs will let you do it without cracked firmware, and you definitely can with any WRT54G(S) alongside some 3rd party firmware.
While I'm not encouraging or condoning the practice of logging into the administrative pages of your neighbor's AP, it might work without you having to shut it down completely.
--
"Some people never see the light till it shines thru bullet holes." -Bruce Cockburn
iPod Shuffle=iPos
I'm testing Gmail's spam filters: Broadbandreports1@gmail.com
Spam: 6200+ |
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Glen T
join:2003-11-03
BC
| One is a Dlink. The other is Linksys. At any given time I can 5 or 6 WAPs from this machine. The rest are secured.
I'm not looking to take drastic measures, here. If I was, I'd just drill some holes, string a bunch of Cat6 cable and hardwire the thing to the router... |
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WLiley
Woodman
Premium
join:2000-12-01
Grand Blanc, MI
clubs: 
| reply to Glen T
said by Glen T :With all due respect, I don't really need parenting advice. This was a technical question. Having scanned thru the many posts here, I offer apologies if this has been already covered.
And with all due respect, this is not advice on parenting. But this is just another example of expecting technology to solve a human behavior problem.
All the great suggestions have come with a "if your kids are sharp/smart they can bypass this..." So much for technological solutions.
Bottom line is this - you set forth your expectations. When those expectations are not met, you penalize them.
I'd decommission their pc's before I'd reside in letting people in my household that I expect to be accountable for thier own actions and responsible to me - knowingly defy rules I have set forth.
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Team Z Member"The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over." Hunter S. Thompson |
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Glen T
join:2003-11-03
BC
| ****
Having scanned thru the many posts here, I offer apologies if this has been already covered.
And with all due respect, this is not advice on parenting. But this is just another example of expecting technology to solve a human behavior problem.
****
I'll try to explain again. I am interested in hiding unsecured wireless networks at the wireless client in a larger context based on the premise that if a user is unaware of the existence of such networks, then they cannot / will not connect to them.
Yes, of course, once the cat is out of the bag, once the genie is out of the bottle, you cannot put it back. However, in the context of a small, unmanaged, wireless network, such as the small business one I mentioned later, I would, by default, enable such an option as hiding unsecured networks if I was setting up such a network and if such an option existed.
Once again, I'm interested in the general issue of hiding unsecured wireless networks at the client -- not making them inaccessible, which is a different issue and considerably more complex.
Thanks, again, to everyone who offered alternative solutions. |
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Symtex
join:2005-04-06
Verdun, QC
| Glen T : All I have read is good people trying to help you resolve but you are only looking for 1 type of answer. You are focusing on the problem instead of focusing on the solution.
Windows XP Zeroless configuration has very limited option and by given your kids administrive rights to your Windows XP machine, they can undo everything you block. Instead of putting a plaster on a infected wound, you try to cure it from the source. How hard is it to go knock on your neighbors doors and offer them to secure their network ? I mean you are informing him of the security breach he might have with his setup. You would be offering a good deed to the community. Unless you like to access your neighbors AP from time to time to do illegal activities. j/k |
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DaDogs
Semper Vigilantis
Premium
join:2004-02-28
Deltaville, VA
1 edit | reply to Glen T
My Mistake ... Edit removed content. |
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danielhaden
join:2005-07-24
Sedan, KS
1 edit | reply to Glen T
$45 Edimax, Jaht
client/AP/Repeater/all-in-one
$65 Hawking
client/AP
(all are the same Marvell based multi-purpose unit)
This small commercial AP can be set to client mode.
It offers WEP and WPA. I have the Edimax EW7203APG.
You plug it into the client computer by a short (you'll need one) ethernet patch cable. It sits atop the computer and has a short antenna. It works much like the similar-looking USB client devices.
There's one big difference:
Settings on associated network are internal (well-protected inside the $45 box) and cannot be changed without the password.
Upon setup, you initially set the PC to IP 192.168.2.whatever, and then change the client/ap's IP address to the same scheme as used by your home network.
Re-set the PC to automatic IP.
Log back into the client/ap with the IP address you just gave it.
It is probably necessary to either provide the Cient/AP a fixed IP address (if your home wireless router has this provision/feature) or
I just assigned mine outside of the DHCP range of my wireless router. My dumb Netgear automatically assigns IP from 192.168.0.2 through 192.168.0.50 so I set the Edimax client/AP on 51.
You set an internal password inside the client/AP.
Yes you do! Set the password. This will keep the kids from changing the internal settings.
Next, go to "client mode" and punch up site survey.
Associate with your home router.
Save settings.
You're done.
As you can see now, there is no way that this device will possibly associate with any other network but yours.
*WPA is very good at securing your network because it won't route easily. If possible, switch to WPA before you start.
*This small device works just like you ran a cord all the way, but you didn't have to run the cord. 
*I can't believe I read through 4 pages of opinions that do not answer your question. While not a direct answer, my solution will keep all other networks from appearing in windows. Maybe it was the 4 long pages of crap that stirred me into answering? It seems that it was useful after all.
Have fun!
*Those little AP's are "slightly" deaf, but pack a transmit punch that will carry for a good city block. Don't believe me: Put your thumb onto the antenna mount for a quick and very hot sensation of just how much power comes out.
Do set an admin password other than 1234 (it comes with 1234).
*If you have disconnects (and this is very unlikely) a $20 panel-type antenna can be added, or one of those 9dbi R-SMA replacement antennas from E-bay will do the job just fine. I would not expect trouble in AP mode till about 150' or client mode for about 90' distance indoors.
*If you should happen to use a casefull to cover a large building (as intended), plug them all into hubs (shared collision), not switches because hubs do fast roaming and switches cause drop-out. "String" the AP units along in order of ch3, ch7, ch11, 3,7,11 until you run out of building to cover. Anyway, that's what they're actually made for. Well, that and pesky teenagers.
*I got mine from newegg.com.
cheers!
EDIT:
If you have trouble setting it up in client mode then just set it up in AP mode exactly the same as your existing wireless router. Next, switch it to client mode. Press "Apply" and then associate it (site survey button) with your existing wireless router.
When using WPA, you will need one unit per client computer because WPA does not route easily.
Judy, webmaster of Edimax, has a good on-line tutorial in the FAQ, but setup shouldn't take longer than five minutes anyway. |
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Glen T
join:2003-11-03
BC
1 edit | Wow. Definitely sounds like the kind of thing that I'm looking for. Will check it out. Thanks for the heads-up.
Edit:
Sadly, it begins to look like these aren't available north of the 49th. I'll keep my eyes open, though.  |
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