27-Apr-2007, 04:00 PM
Wi-Fi is a high-frequency radio link between a computer and a modem/router. It's on the same 2 GH frequency as some cordless phones and cell phones. Anyone with a Wi-Fi equipped computer can hook into any router that's accessible.
If you have the proper protection, even if someone else gets onto your out-going signal, they can't get upstream to your home network. Also, provided you transmit encrypted signals, it takes a lot of effort for someone to break the encryption. The only thing you shouldn't do is send sensitive data, like doing your banking on line, through a wi-fi link.
We have two desk-top machines. The more powerful one is connected to the router by a hard-wire link (Ethernet). The older box has a wi-fi hook-up to the router, mainly because I'm too lazy to spend a lot of time in the crawl-space under the house running wires and drilling holes in walls ands floors.
When I look at my wi-fi management screen, I can see three other networks within range. If I knew which ISP they used and I had an account with that ISP, I could get on lline through one of their links. I don't think there's anything illegal in doing that, but why would I want to bother.
Frank
If you have the proper protection, even if someone else gets onto your out-going signal, they can't get upstream to your home network. Also, provided you transmit encrypted signals, it takes a lot of effort for someone to break the encryption. The only thing you shouldn't do is send sensitive data, like doing your banking on line, through a wi-fi link.
We have two desk-top machines. The more powerful one is connected to the router by a hard-wire link (Ethernet). The older box has a wi-fi hook-up to the router, mainly because I'm too lazy to spend a lot of time in the crawl-space under the house running wires and drilling holes in walls ands floors.
When I look at my wi-fi management screen, I can see three other networks within range. If I knew which ISP they used and I had an account with that ISP, I could get on lline through one of their links. I don't think there's anything illegal in doing that, but why would I want to bother.
Frank
Frank Damp (wife Eileen, nee Nixon)
Leyland resident 1941-1965, emigrated to the US in 1968,
retired to Anacortes, Washington State, USA in 1999.
Leyland resident 1941-1965, emigrated to the US in 1968,
retired to Anacortes, Washington State, USA in 1999.