Wireless: worth it? (Full Version)

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3cappuccinosmom -> Wireless: worth it? (7/19/2008 2:36:23 PM)

First off, I'm completely clueless. [:o]

My son's school laptop arrived and it's apparently all set up for wireless. I even got a pop up letting me know that a number of networks were detected in the area, and asking which one I wanted to use.

Does this mean that if we were to use wireless, all we'd need was the monthly plan, and no further equipment?

Are there any reasonably priced wireless plans for people on a pretty strict budget?

And about areas where there is free wireless access (like our library)--does one still need a network code in order to access it?

It would be really nice to take the internet with us and be free to move around like that, but I'm wondering, if it's just for school and basic family computer use, would it be wiser just to get a more basic internet plan, even if it "tethers" us to home?



sisrev -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (7/19/2008 3:51:42 PM)

If you go where there is free wireless, like the library, most of the time you don't need anything--no monthly plan, nothing, unless you are trying to get onto a secure network. I have driven up to the library and gotten on the internet with my laptop without ever getting out of my vehicle.



MENU4EVR -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (7/19/2008 5:01:45 PM)

Well Ive played with it and the way it seems to work is that if the network is secure you are not able to use their network, if it is not secure you are able to run off of someone else's network. Some systems allow you to kick off anyone you don't want on your network. I think most networks nowadays are secure. I would probably recommend a wireless plan. There are several different variations. You can have a wireless card that works off of cell towers so that you have access in more areas. Most cell providers I have dealt with tend to be slow but decent. It also depends on how often he needs to be connected to the Internet. If almost all the time and anywhere I think that may be the best bet. If you just need it for at home you may be able to piggyback off of someone else's network for a while. But with that situation the more people on the network the slower your Internet will be and eventually once others know its unsecured they will be there as well. Until the person gets wise to everyone and blocks everyone off.

Your other option is to pay a provider and get wireless. You will still need extras to make your wireless network work but for the most part they tend to provide everything. If you go that route make sure you secure your network so someone else is not able to use it and slow your Internet down. [8|] I think that's pretty much the extent of my knowledge. Hope it helps good luck!



JonCo54 -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (7/19/2008 5:51:02 PM)

Here is a link I hope this helps,
http://compnetworking.about.com/lr/wireless_network_setup/84646/1/



MWD -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (7/19/2008 6:51:01 PM)

Piggybacking is illegal. It's called theft of service. It can land you in jail, or at minimum cost you thousands in punitive damages; and it will leave you with a criminal record.

That's point number one. Point number two is that if you do decide to subscribe to a wireless (cell-phone-type) plan for Internet access, make sure you read the fine print about maximum allowable bandwidth (bits used per unit time) as well as about types of allowable downloads.

Point number three is that there are fake hotspots (access points) out there masquerading as legitimate ones. Be VERY suspicious of the free ones especially. That includes the wide-open ones in your neighborhood. Some of them are just waiting to capture your packets and use them for malicious purposes. When possible, use wired connections, even if it involves significant inconvenience.



iluvatar -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (7/19/2008 6:53:04 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 3cappuccinosmom

Are there any reasonably priced wireless plans for people on a pretty strict budget?


Generally, you pay for regular broadband service and then add your own wireless router or access point.

quote:


And about areas where there is free wireless access (like our library)--does one still need a network code in order to access it?


Depends on how they have it set up. You may have to ask the librarian for a code.

quote:


It would be really nice to take the internet with us and be free to move around like that, but I'm wondering, if it's just for school and basic family computer use, would it be wiser just to get a more basic internet plan, even if it "tethers" us to home?


Unless you get one of those wireless cellular cards that allows you to log in from anywhere (and usually costs more), it doesn't work like that. The "wi-fi" you generally hear about is wireless access added to existing localized networks, be it in an office, coffee shop, library, etc. While it's becoming more ubiquitous, you would still have to find it.

-Dan.



rlj -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (7/21/2008 4:51:46 PM)

quote:

Piggybacking is illegal. It's called theft of service. It can land you in jail, or at minimum cost you thousands in punitive damages; and it will leave you with a criminal record.


It depends on what jurisdiction you are in and what the laws are within that jurisdiction. In New York the law expicitly states that it is only illegal if the owner of the network put some kind of protection on it that was bypassed- hacking a password to get through a router for example. For most of us if we start up a laptop with a wireless card in an apartment building we are doing nothing illegal by using the internet that way. I'm not aware of any laws in Ohio that prevent this or promote this.

The biggest problems with this and why this will have to be sorted out is if someone piggybacks your internet and looks at child porn or downloads music illegally and gets caught it is the owner of the network which will have the IP logged not the person piggybacking. It is very important to secure your router for this reason.



Miss Giggles -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (7/21/2008 6:23:02 PM)

I have a laptop with wireless capability. It's nice to use. I am fortunate though to have many places to go to use free wi fi.

But you don't want to do anything to personal out in public. Some people are nosy, plus it's not as secure.

It's not too difficult to set up a basic home network



riovannes -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (8/3/2008 1:20:30 AM)

Piggybacking maybe Illegal, But........
If you cause trouble on the connection as in log into the router to change/set a password or any other setting then you will have the Feds breathing down your neck other than that most people don't mind.



riovannes -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (8/3/2008 1:24:12 AM)

also in ref to miss giggles, when you setup your home wireless network Make sure that you change the router password!! I Have personally fixed a few networks with this problem. If you leave it as the default then your asking to be hijacked.



Miss Giggles -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (8/3/2008 4:55:26 PM)

My router broke, but I changed it. [:D]



myka -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (8/5/2008 1:49:58 PM)

Maggie,

Does the school subsidize your internet access? Sometimes they do.

For broadband/wireless connections, there is a router that you will need. Usually you can either rent (which would be included in your monthly bill -- around $5) or buy it. If you do go that direction, the computer will not have to be in one certain spot in your house. It usually doesn't come with access outside your home.

Free internet access: it doesn't really matter what connection you have at home; you can use the free access. It depends on the specific business as to how they allow access.



stateofgrace -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (8/6/2008 2:12:06 PM)

Broadband internet access in this area tends to run about $25-$35/month. However, if you get it in a bundle with phone and/or cable, it can end up being cheaper. So...it pays to shop around. Consider all DSL, fiber optic, cable options available. Don't buy a router till you make a decision regarding the provider,because not all routers may be supported and/or compatible. For example, there's a special router needed now with FIOS but the company provides it.



DaveW -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (8/18/2008 8:16:26 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: riovannes

when you setup your home wireless network Make sure that you change the router password!! I Have personally fixed a few networks with this problem. If you leave it as the default then your asking to be hijacked.
You don't have to have a new or lengthy arcane password to secure your network. Most new routers will let you set your computer's MAC address in the router itself so only a machine that matches its list of adresses will be allowed access. My son set up ours that way. It works really well.



figmentPez -> RE: Wireless: worth it? (8/18/2008 10:59:52 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DaveW

You don't have to have a new or lengthy arcane password to secure your network. Most new routers will let you set your computer's MAC address in the router itself so only a machine that matches its list of adresses will be allowed access. My son set up ours that way. It works really well.


While that will keep out casual users just looking for a completely open network, it won't keep out hackers. If someone decided they wanted into your system, all they'd have to do is listen to the traffic you're sending, and then copy your MAC (Media Access Control) address. My understanding is that all that is a trivial process on an otherwise unsecured system.

From a ZDnet blog The six dumbest ways to secure a wireless LAN, and MAC address filtering is first on the list.

Oh, and if you don't change any of the passwords on your router, and some hacker does decide to target you... They will have total control of your system. They'll be able to listen to and control every single bit of data you send. This is why you shouldn't do any sort of sensitive web surfing on an unsecured network. If a hacker has control of your router, they can tell it to redirect traffic where ever they want! In that situation, you could type the address of your email, bank, favorite shopping site, or anything else, and end up on a fake site without ever knowing it. With such a compromised router, hackers could set it up so that you'd think everything was working fine... until they had all the data they wanted about you. All your surfing habits, all your passwords, every single bit of personal information you ever sent to what your web browser told you was a secure connection.



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