[cybernana]

I don't know if I am in the right forum but maybe someone can direct me. When viewing the Wireless Networks available to use my laptop outside I notice that there is someone by the name of "Greg" is listed in my preferred networks list. I have tried to remove him but the next time I am logged on he is there again. I have noticed that if I use my laptop late at night it is slower than usual. Could this be because someone is using my Wireless network without my permission? How can I block him and is this a security threat? My system is XP.

[1002richards]

Hi,
Have you changed the passwords from 'factory settings'? Some of these are very widely known.

Richard.

[skinnywhiteboy]

Any time an unauthorized person is on your network, it is a potential security threat. Have you encrypted the router and changed the default admin password??

[CDATech]

i believe what cybernana is doing is seeing "Greg" as an available network when she's in range of the wireless network named "Greg". That doesn't necessarily mean that Greg is on your network at all, it's just stating that a user like yourself also has his own wireless network, which he named "Greg" and you are in range to jump on it.

I would however make sure that your wireless network is encrypted and secured. Also, the connection becoming slower at night is common with some Cable/DSL lines as that is when most people jump online..it's "peak usage" time.

[JDK224]

Like CDATech said, it sounds as though it is someone elses wireless network that is in you preferred list. there is a place that you can remove these.. i think there is a link off of the view available networks window. Setting up WEP or WPA on your wireless router is always a good idea.

If you are still concerned that there may be someone on you wireless network, many times if you go into you router/AP configuration you can see all the dhcp leases and if there is a computer name in there that is not yours then you may have an unwanted guest on your network.

[CDATech]

I wouldn't worry too much about removing "Greg" from your available wireless network list, as it is not causing any harm to your computer. However if you'd like to check your security you'd have to access your router's configuration, like JDK224 stated to see how many users are on your router and whether or not you have WEP or WPA enabled to secure your connection.