check to see if someone is stealing my wireless internet?

If you suspect someone else is using your wireless, password protect your wireless connection. That will take care of that.
 
Your router typically has some utilities in the web setup that allows you to see what sort of devices are connected. Check it out.
 
the easiest way to check is to look at how many IP addresses your router as assigned. if you have 3 computers total, 2 wireless laptops and 1 wired desktop lets say... you're router should have 3 IP leases - one for each. next to the IP address that it's leasing, is the 'MAC' address of the computer it leased it to. (see below for how to see your MAC address)

every wireless router i've seen so far from a 3rd party, has a way to see what IP addresses are leased.


To See your MAC Address:
To see your MAC address open System Preferences, click on Network, then select "AirPort" from the show pull-down menu. the MAC address is listed as the "AirPort ID". For your wired computers it's the same steps however, select "Built-in Ethernet" from "show" rather then AirPort. Next click the "Ethernet" tab - it's listed as "Ethernet ID".
 
If you have bandwidth to spare and are feeling generous, strike a friendly deal. If this man knows more than you he may help you out in exchange of some bandwidth...
 
problem with that aicul is that unless he has a legal document that protects him, the person sharing his internet _with his knowledge_ could pirate software and he would be personally responsible as the owner.

Anyhoo...
I've noticed that on some wireless routers, other wireless networks and machiens will appear in the list as there but they dont have access.

You could always do as suggested and enable WEP and password protect it.
 
Robn Kester said:
problem with that aicul is that unless he has a legal document that protects him, the person sharing his internet _with his knowledge_ could pirate software and he would be personally responsible as the owner.
Click to expand...

I still have to hear-of, read-of, etc. these infamous court cases. (Example: I've never heard of someone being sentenced for not locking his car, having it stolen and used to kill a pedestrian.)

Maybe in some countries the approach is to sue for anything, in others (mainly continental europe) a more pragmatic approach applies. For this reason, the simple fact of naming the network "forSensibleUseOnly" should be more than sufficient.

But comming back to the thread issue, using a password would not provide information on whether someon is "stealing" wireless internet.
 
aicul said:
I still have to hear-of, read-of, etc. these infamous court cases. (Example: I've never heard of someone being sentenced for not locking his car, having it stolen and used to kill a pedestrian.)

Maybe in some countries the approach is to sue for anything, in others (mainly continental europe) a more pragmatic approach applies. For this reason, the simple fact of naming the network "forSensibleUseOnly" should be more than sufficient.

But comming back to the thread issue, using a password would not provide information on whether someon is "stealing" wireless internet.
Click to expand...


It is called gross negligence. I have heard of it in instances where, say a mother leaves a pound of cocaine in her baby's crib, the baby ingests and then dies.

I too would doubt that anyone is going to be prosecuted for "sharing" their broadband connection unless they have reason to believe the other person is doing illegal things.
 
If you have a linksys router (other brand routers may have it as well, but i dont have any to test with) and you have DHCP enabled on the router, check out the DHCP client table. that should be able to help you determine if someone other than someone in the house is on your network stealing bandwidth. The WEP idea was pretty good as well, as it's what i'm doing.. :)
 
It's really kind of shocking how few wireless networks out there are protected. I have firmly believed since it first was made available that the products should force you to password protect/wep your network by default. And that you should have to specifically unlock it and read a notice that says your network is vulnerable to outside access to not have it locked.

When I set up my wireless at home, my connection immediately listed 2 other named networks, both of which I was able to go to and see shared HDs. Similar with my parents, one laptop I setup saw another network, and connected to it automatically for internet access because it was wide open.

This is why I feel what I do above, that it should be locked down by default. My router (SMC) when you turn on the wireless it's wide open. Sad really. Because most people don't know to lock it down.

I suggest you setup WEP 128 bit encryption immediately. And, I should also mention that if you have not changed your router's password, do so. Many people leave this unchanged when they setup things and unscrupulous people can easily log right in and give themselves access. Also, you can (I think mentioned above) set it up so that it only allows certain MAC addresses, then list only your known devices addresses, adding a 2nd line of protection.

It doesn't help either that there are products like this:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewprodu...64-141&ATT=Accessories+Network+&CMP=OTC-C173T

Which are used by less than nice people to find wireless networks in apartment complexes and neighborhoods quickly and easily as they drive thru. I know some people in apartments in particular steal others wireless for themselves because its easy and cheap and there are usually several overlapping networks all easy for picking.
 
I agree with everything. Personally, I've MAC address filtered and WEP protected, saved in my keychain. That'll keep most everyone out. Of course, you COULD spoof a mac address and your COULD brute force the WEP, but who's got that much time?

And if they go through all that, I'll let them sit outside my house and check their email :)
 
I am saddened to realize that all of you people are living next to cyber-criminals and the like. My neighbours are normal, correct people. So I treat them like normal correct people and don't lock my door like its danger-world out there.

Yes, you can secure the wireless network but often you can be positive and pool resources.

Concerning use of passwords on OSX airport, These are easy to use but contain just enough un-userfriendly-ness to make many non-nerds give up.
 
I have been into wireless for a few years now and find it amazing how many open networks exist.

Honestly you should secure your network as you dont want someone using your internet for dodgy things. (Kiddy Porn, Hax0ring teh GibS0n, etc)
 
WEP is not very secure - you should use WPA Pre-Shared Key
with TKIP if the choice is available.
 
There is a new application called "MyNet" that purports to find all hosts on your network. I haven't tried it yet myself, but you might like to try it (it's freeware so no costs are involved).

You do have to unplug from the internet while you run it though, because it doesn't play nice. It will try to scan computers on the other side of your connection too (and that can get you into all sorts of trouble real quick)!

You can find it here:
http://www.adbas.net/software/
 
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