[jlrm365]

I am sat in London (UK) and am due to be connected to my new ISP tomorrow, having just moved.

Thinking I'd see what was out there, I plugged in my wireless adapter (as my wired connection hasn't been enabled).

A lot of the local networks have been named charming things like "f-off", "guts-out", etc.

One, without security, is named simply "amanda". Now "Amanda" could be a male trucker, for all I know. In case "Amanda" is a sweet lady, who doesn't know any better or who might have a child who does know better (and has turned off the protection, as a "prank")...


Can I possibly reach this person and make it known that the connection is vulnerable? How?!


I am using a Netgear WN111v2 adapter and that does show me certain information, but I do not know what information would be needed or how to use it.

I've been very gratefully using the connection and, as a thanks, I'd like to make sure that it's now sealed up.

Any help would be gratefully received.

Thanks.

[uchow10]

Well...since its a local wireless network check to see how many bars you receive (signal strength) If its really strong...that means the access point is near by (very nearby). So you can take a guess whose network it might belong to judging from location....If it is a weak signal then same thing too...take ur laptop and see where u have to go to get stronger signal and determine whose it is. Being a good samaritan, you can notify the owner about it...

[Curly]

You likely never will figure out who it is. Since radio transmitter strength can be turned up, uchow10's method likely will not work.

But realize that the owner may want it open. People often feel that they are doing a good commuity service by leaving it open. And they have nothing to worry about if their WAP is properly isolated from the remainder of their network.

So, try as you will to find the person. But your efforts will likely be unsuccessful.

[JohnWill]

Truthfully, I'd leave this alone.

[dlsayremn]

Amanda could also be a not very nice person waiting for some one to connect to this LAN (no internet conection) and get 1000+ viruses.

[Squashman]

Well I have done this very thing and it turned out to be my neighbor across the busy street I live on the corner on.

I know how to do this, but I have advanced schooling in network security. Don't think I should devulge this information here.

[JohnWill]

I know how to find them as well, but we're not going to get into that.