Wireless Networking - Wireless connection questions

07-21-2006, 05:23 AM

Hi,

I purchased a notebook PC, ACER Travelmate 2310, last year.
The notebook had a Wireless connection integrated.
I had read some bit and pieces about Wireless Networking, and as it seemed
only to be able to connect to a Wireless Spot inside the house, I never used
the Wireless Connection.

A few months ago, I decided to upgrade the memory (256Mb to 1 Gb) and the
hard-disk (20 Mb to 80 MB).
I braught the notebook to the ACER service shop to perform the upgrade, and
1 day later it was ready.
I started to reinstall all the software, and on the reinstall of WinAmp, the
software wanted to go online to see in there would be upgrades available.
I was astonished, as the notebook was able to go online and look after
upgrades without the ADSL- modem connected.

I'm not a "computer guru", and I tried to find out why the notebook was able
to connect to the Internet.
But the only thing I was able to find out was that a connection was made
with "SMC (automatic)" and a IP address (I live in Thailand)

I have a few questions about the Wireless Networking, and hope that someone
in this forum can help me.

1. What is "SMC (Automatic)"?
2. I have no Wireless Networking spot in my house, and the nearest house
with a computer is about 250m away as far as I know. How far can the
Wireless Connection detect a "Wireless Connection spot"?
3. I'm not using this Wireless Connection at this moment (privacy reasons),
but if I would decide to give up my ADSL subscription and use the (free)
Wireless Connection instead, what are the implications?
I assume that using a Lan Connection without registrering would be like
using a "Proxy" without the knowledge of the owner. Are there any
"etiquettes" defined about using a Wireless Connection?

TIA

Melissa

Melissa

ck42 · 07-21-2006, 02:10 PM

Sounds like Windows WZC found an Open AP using an SSID of "SMC" and 'automatically' used it. Not a good thing...depending on how you look at it.

You could have just as easily been 'phished' onto a malicious AP and ended up in a bad situation. Go into the network connections, look at the wireless settings for your wireless card and remove any listed SSIDs from your preferred network list...if you don't want this happening again.

Or....you can change the properties of that wireless network "SMC" so that it will not automatically connect....but will only connect when you tell it to.

07-21-2006, 03:46 PM

You are probably connecting to someone else's network. "SMC" is the name of
the network and "automatic" means that it will automatically connect to it.
Who ever set up the "SMC" network might be using an anntena booster and the
range of that depends on the strength of the anntena.
If you decide to use that free wireless connection then it is possible that
someone can see the information that you send and receive. Also, it might be
illegal to use someone else's internet connection without permission so be
careful about that, too.

-Javi
--
Microsoft is not the answer.
Microsoft is the question.
NO (or Linux) is the answer.

"Melissa" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I purchased a notebook PC, ACER Travelmate 2310, last year.
> The notebook had a Wireless connection integrated.
> I had read some bit and pieces about Wireless Networking, and as it seemed
> only to be able to connect to a Wireless Spot inside the house, I never used
> the Wireless Connection.
>
> A few months ago, I decided to upgrade the memory (256Mb to 1 Gb) and the
> hard-disk (20 Mb to 80 MB).
> I braught the notebook to the ACER service shop to perform the upgrade, and
> 1 day later it was ready.
> I started to reinstall all the software, and on the reinstall of WinAmp, the
> software wanted to go online to see in there would be upgrades available.
> I was astonished, as the notebook was able to go online and look after
> upgrades without the ADSL- modem connected.
>
> I'm not a "computer guru", and I tried to find out why the notebook was able
> to connect to the Internet.
> But the only thing I was able to find out was that a connection was made
> with "SMC (automatic)" and a IP address (I live in Thailand)
>
> I have a few questions about the Wireless Networking, and hope that someone
> in this forum can help me.
>
> 1. What is "SMC (Automatic)"?
> 2. I have no Wireless Networking spot in my house, and the nearest house
> with a computer is about 250m away as far as I know. How far can the
> Wireless Connection detect a "Wireless Connection spot"?
> 3. I'm not using this Wireless Connection at this moment (privacy reasons),
> but if I would decide to give up my ADSL subscription and use the (free)
> Wireless Connection instead, what are the implications?
> I assume that using a Lan Connection without registrering would be like
> using a "Proxy" without the knowledge of the owner. Are there any
> "etiquettes" defined about using a Wireless Connection?
>
> TIA
>
> Melissa
>
>
>
>

07-22-2006, 04:39 PM

"Javi0084" <> wrote in message
news:F03E9934-5C24-44BF-8D61-...

Thanks for your help, Javi.

> You are probably connecting to someone else's network. "SMC" is the name
> of the network and "automatic" means that it will automatically connect to
> it.
> Who ever set up the "SMC" network might be using an anntena booster and
> the range of that depends on the strength of the anntena.
> If you decide to use that free wireless connection then it is possible
> that someone can see the information that you send and receive. Also, it
> might
> be illegal to use someone else's internet connection without permission so
> be
> careful about that, too.

Excuse me, but I find this weird.
Suppose that I have my "wireless connection" online and I go out.
Someone in the neigborhood is able to connect to my computer, which is
connected to SMC.
This person uses the connection for illegal purposes (eg.: viewing
pornographic stuff) and the next day I get arrested for something I didn't
do.
I think that I will turn the "Wireless Connection" of and not use it at
home.

> -Javi
> --
> Microsoft is not the answer.
> Microsoft is the question.
> NO (or Linux) is the answer.

I think of installing Linux on my desktop computer.
Which version of Linux do you recommend?

Regards,

Melissa

07-22-2006, 10:01 PM

Hi
If you secure your connection No one would use it, your nieghbor connection
is probably Not secured.
Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

Jack (MVP-Networking).

"Melissa" <> wrote in message
news:e9pkrt$elq$...
> Hi,
>
> I purchased a notebook PC, ACER Travelmate 2310, last year.
> The notebook had a Wireless connection integrated.
> I had read some bit and pieces about Wireless Networking, and as it seemed
> only to be able to connect to a Wireless Spot inside the house, I never
> used
> the Wireless Connection.
>
> A few months ago, I decided to upgrade the memory (256Mb to 1 Gb) and the
> hard-disk (20 Mb to 80 MB).
> I braught the notebook to the ACER service shop to perform the upgrade,
> and
> 1 day later it was ready.
> I started to reinstall all the software, and on the reinstall of WinAmp,
> the
> software wanted to go online to see in there would be upgrades available.
> I was astonished, as the notebook was able to go online and look after
> upgrades without the ADSL- modem connected.
>
> I'm not a "computer guru", and I tried to find out why the notebook was
> able
> to connect to the Internet.
> But the only thing I was able to find out was that a connection was made
> with "SMC (automatic)" and a IP address (I live in Thailand)
>
> I have a few questions about the Wireless Networking, and hope that
> someone
> in this forum can help me.
>
> 1. What is "SMC (Automatic)"?
> 2. I have no Wireless Networking spot in my house, and the nearest house
> with a computer is about 250m away as far as I know. How far can the
> Wireless Connection detect a "Wireless Connection spot"?
> 3. I'm not using this Wireless Connection at this moment (privacy
> reasons),
> but if I would decide to give up my ADSL subscription and use the (free)
> Wireless Connection instead, what are the implications?
> I assume that using a Lan Connection without registrering would be like
> using a "Proxy" without the knowledge of the owner. Are there any
> "etiquettes" defined about using a Wireless Connection?
>
> TIA
>
> Melissa
>
>
>

07-23-2006, 03:17 AM

"Jack" <> wrote in message
news:eZg$...
> Hi

Hi Jack,

> If you secure your connection No one would use it, your nieghbor
> connection is probably Not secured.

As I said before, this is all new to me.
The "SMC" connection is indeed "unsecured", as the following details give
out:

Connected to SMC(unsecured)
Physical Address: 00-14-A4-26-C7-CC
IP Address: 192.168.2.101
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.2.1
DHCP Server: 192.168.2.1
Lease Obtained: 23/07/2006 9:13:01
Lease Expires: 25/07/2006 9:13:01
DNS Server: 192.168.2.1
WINS Server:

Internet Gateway
WAN Connection on 7904WBRA

> Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

Thanks for the link.

> Jack (MVP-Networking).

Melissa

07-24-2006, 07:52 PM

Try Ubuntu.
--
Microsoft is not the answer.
Microsoft is the question.
NO (or Linux) is the answer.

"Melissa" wrote:

> "Javi0084" <> wrote in message
> news:F03E9934-5C24-44BF-8D61-...
>
> Thanks for your help, Javi.
>
> > You are probably connecting to someone else's network. "SMC" is the name
> > of the network and "automatic" means that it will automatically connect to
> > it.
> > Who ever set up the "SMC" network might be using an anntena booster and
> > the range of that depends on the strength of the anntena.
> > If you decide to use that free wireless connection then it is possible
> > that someone can see the information that you send and receive. Also, it
> > might
> > be illegal to use someone else's internet connection without permission so
> > be
> > careful about that, too.
>
> Excuse me, but I find this weird.
> Suppose that I have my "wireless connection" online and I go out.
> Someone in the neigborhood is able to connect to my computer, which is
> connected to SMC.
> This person uses the connection for illegal purposes (eg.: viewing
> pornographic stuff) and the next day I get arrested for something I didn't
> do.
> I think that I will turn the "Wireless Connection" of and not use it at
> home.
>
> > -Javi
> > --
> > Microsoft is not the answer.
> > Microsoft is the question.
> > NO (or Linux) is the answer.
>
> I think of installing Linux on my desktop computer.
> Which version of Linux do you recommend?
>
> Regards,
>
> Melissa
>
>
>
>
>

07-21-2006, 03:46 PM	#3
=?Utf-8?B?SmF2aTAwODQ=?= Posts: n/a	RE: Wireless connection questions You are probably connecting to someone else's network. "SMC" is the name of the network and "automatic" means that it will automatically connect to it. Who ever set up the "SMC" network might be using an anntena booster and the range of that depends on the strength of the anntena. If you decide to use that free wireless connection then it is possible that someone can see the information that you send and receive. Also, it might be illegal to use someone else's internet connection without permission so be careful about that, too. -Javi -- Microsoft is not the answer. Microsoft is the question. NO (or Linux) is the answer. "Melissa" wrote: > Hi, > > I purchased a notebook PC, ACER Travelmate 2310, last year. > The notebook had a Wireless connection integrated. > I had read some bit and pieces about Wireless Networking, and as it seemed > only to be able to connect to a Wireless Spot inside the house, I never used > the Wireless Connection. > > A few months ago, I decided to upgrade the memory (256Mb to 1 Gb) and the > hard-disk (20 Mb to 80 MB). > I braught the notebook to the ACER service shop to perform the upgrade, and > 1 day later it was ready. > I started to reinstall all the software, and on the reinstall of WinAmp, the > software wanted to go online to see in there would be upgrades available. > I was astonished, as the notebook was able to go online and look after > upgrades without the ADSL- modem connected. > > I'm not a "computer guru", and I tried to find out why the notebook was able > to connect to the Internet. > But the only thing I was able to find out was that a connection was made > with "SMC (automatic)" and a IP address (I live in Thailand) > > I have a few questions about the Wireless Networking, and hope that someone > in this forum can help me. > > 1. What is "SMC (Automatic)"? > 2. I have no Wireless Networking spot in my house, and the nearest house > with a computer is about 250m away as far as I know. How far can the > Wireless Connection detect a "Wireless Connection spot"? > 3. I'm not using this Wireless Connection at this moment (privacy reasons), > but if I would decide to give up my ADSL subscription and use the (free) > Wireless Connection instead, what are the implications? > I assume that using a Lan Connection without registrering would be like > using a "Proxy" without the knowledge of the owner. Are there any > "etiquettes" defined about using a Wireless Connection? > > TIA > > Melissa > > > >

07-22-2006, 04:39 PM	#4
Melissa Posts: n/a	Re: Wireless connection questions "Javi0084" <> wrote in message news:F03E9934-5C24-44BF-8D61-... Thanks for your help, Javi. > You are probably connecting to someone else's network. "SMC" is the name > of the network and "automatic" means that it will automatically connect to > it. > Who ever set up the "SMC" network might be using an anntena booster and > the range of that depends on the strength of the anntena. > If you decide to use that free wireless connection then it is possible > that someone can see the information that you send and receive. Also, it > might > be illegal to use someone else's internet connection without permission so > be > careful about that, too. Excuse me, but I find this weird. Suppose that I have my "wireless connection" online and I go out. Someone in the neigborhood is able to connect to my computer, which is connected to SMC. This person uses the connection for illegal purposes (eg.: viewing pornographic stuff) and the next day I get arrested for something I didn't do. I think that I will turn the "Wireless Connection" of and not use it at home. > -Javi > -- > Microsoft is not the answer. > Microsoft is the question. > NO (or Linux) is the answer. I think of installing Linux on my desktop computer. Which version of Linux do you recommend? Regards, Melissa

07-22-2006, 10:01 PM	#5
Jack Posts: n/a	Re: Wireless connection questions Hi If you secure your connection No one would use it, your nieghbor connection is probably Not secured. Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html Jack (MVP-Networking). "Melissa" <> wrote in message news:e9pkrt$elq$... > Hi, > > I purchased a notebook PC, ACER Travelmate 2310, last year. > The notebook had a Wireless connection integrated. > I had read some bit and pieces about Wireless Networking, and as it seemed > only to be able to connect to a Wireless Spot inside the house, I never > used > the Wireless Connection. > > A few months ago, I decided to upgrade the memory (256Mb to 1 Gb) and the > hard-disk (20 Mb to 80 MB). > I braught the notebook to the ACER service shop to perform the upgrade, > and > 1 day later it was ready. > I started to reinstall all the software, and on the reinstall of WinAmp, > the > software wanted to go online to see in there would be upgrades available. > I was astonished, as the notebook was able to go online and look after > upgrades without the ADSL- modem connected. > > I'm not a "computer guru", and I tried to find out why the notebook was > able > to connect to the Internet. > But the only thing I was able to find out was that a connection was made > with "SMC (automatic)" and a IP address (I live in Thailand) > > I have a few questions about the Wireless Networking, and hope that > someone > in this forum can help me. > > 1. What is "SMC (Automatic)"? > 2. I have no Wireless Networking spot in my house, and the nearest house > with a computer is about 250m away as far as I know. How far can the > Wireless Connection detect a "Wireless Connection spot"? > 3. I'm not using this Wireless Connection at this moment (privacy > reasons), > but if I would decide to give up my ADSL subscription and use the (free) > Wireless Connection instead, what are the implications? > I assume that using a Lan Connection without registrering would be like > using a "Proxy" without the knowledge of the owner. Are there any > "etiquettes" defined about using a Wireless Connection? > > TIA > > Melissa > > >

07-23-2006, 03:17 AM	#6
Melissa Posts: n/a	Re: Wireless connection questions "Jack" <> wrote in message news:eZg$... > Hi Hi Jack, > If you secure your connection No one would use it, your nieghbor > connection is probably Not secured. As I said before, this is all new to me. The "SMC" connection is indeed "unsecured", as the following details give out: Connected to SMC(unsecured) Physical Address: 00-14-A4-26-C7-CC IP Address: 192.168.2.101 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Default Gateway: 192.168.2.1 DHCP Server: 192.168.2.1 Lease Obtained: 23/07/2006 9:13:01 Lease Expires: 25/07/2006 9:13:01 DNS Server: 192.168.2.1 WINS Server: Internet Gateway WAN Connection on 7904WBRA > Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html Thanks for the link. > Jack (MVP-Networking). Melissa

07-24-2006, 07:52 PM	#7
=?Utf-8?B?SmF2aTAwODQ=?= Posts: n/a	Re: Wireless connection questions Try Ubuntu. -- Microsoft is not the answer. Microsoft is the question. NO (or Linux) is the answer. "Melissa" wrote: > "Javi0084" <> wrote in message > news:F03E9934-5C24-44BF-8D61-... > > Thanks for your help, Javi. > > > You are probably connecting to someone else's network. "SMC" is the name > > of the network and "automatic" means that it will automatically connect to > > it. > > Who ever set up the "SMC" network might be using an anntena booster and > > the range of that depends on the strength of the anntena. > > If you decide to use that free wireless connection then it is possible > > that someone can see the information that you send and receive. Also, it > > might > > be illegal to use someone else's internet connection without permission so > > be > > careful about that, too. > > Excuse me, but I find this weird. > Suppose that I have my "wireless connection" online and I go out. > Someone in the neigborhood is able to connect to my computer, which is > connected to SMC. > This person uses the connection for illegal purposes (eg.: viewing > pornographic stuff) and the next day I get arrested for something I didn't > do. > I think that I will turn the "Wireless Connection" of and not use it at > home. > > > -Javi > > -- > > Microsoft is not the answer. > > Microsoft is the question. > > NO (or Linux) is the answer. > > I think of installing Linux on my desktop computer. > Which version of Linux do you recommend? > > Regards, > > Melissa > > > > >

07-21-2006, 05:23 AM	#1
	Wireless connection questions Hi, I purchased a notebook PC, ACER Travelmate 2310, last year. The notebook had a Wireless connection integrated. I had read some bit and pieces about Wireless Networking, and as it seemed only to be able to connect to a Wireless Spot inside the house, I never used the Wireless Connection. A few months ago, I decided to upgrade the memory (256Mb to 1 Gb) and the hard-disk (20 Mb to 80 MB). I braught the notebook to the ACER service shop to perform the upgrade, and 1 day later it was ready. I started to reinstall all the software, and on the reinstall of WinAmp, the software wanted to go online to see in there would be upgrades available. I was astonished, as the notebook was able to go online and look after upgrades without the ADSL- modem connected. I'm not a "computer guru", and I tried to find out why the notebook was able to connect to the Internet. But the only thing I was able to find out was that a connection was made with "SMC (automatic)" and a IP address (I live in Thailand) I have a few questions about the Wireless Networking, and hope that someone in this forum can help me. 1. What is "SMC (Automatic)"? 2. I have no Wireless Networking spot in my house, and the nearest house with a computer is about 250m away as far as I know. How far can the Wireless Connection detect a "Wireless Connection spot"? 3. I'm not using this Wireless Connection at this moment (privacy reasons), but if I would decide to give up my ADSL subscription and use the (free) Wireless Connection instead, what are the implications? I assume that using a Lan Connection without registrering would be like using a "Proxy" without the knowledge of the owner. Are there any "etiquettes" defined about using a Wireless Connection? TIA Melissa Melissa

07-21-2006, 02:10 PM	#2
ck42 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3	Sounds like Windows WZC found an Open AP using an SSID of "SMC" and 'automatically' used it. Not a good thing...depending on how you look at it. You could have just as easily been 'phished' onto a malicious AP and ended up in a bad situation. Go into the network connections, look at the wireless settings for your wireless card and remove any listed SSIDs from your preferred network list...if you don't want this happening again. Or....you can change the properties of that wireless network "SMC" so that it will not automatically connect....but will only connect when you tell it to.

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