A wireless network is any kind of computer network that is connected through a wireless medium, primarily known as using a wireless router creating a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network).
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How can I get the same SSID for multiple access points?
I need to upgrade my existing wireless infrastructure and this time I want 2 access points to cover my house, since I get blind spots no matter what with a single AP. I have physical cabling to my ...
90
votes
4answers
18k views
How does Windows know whether it has internet access or if a Wi-Fi connection requires in-browser authentication?
In Windows 7, the notification area networking icon will show an error indicator if there is no internet access , and the error icon goes away once there is a successful connection to the internet . ...
49
votes
5answers
4k views
If there are 13 Wifi channels, can I only use 13 Wifi devices on the same room?
As wikipedia reference, 802.11 standards (which defines Wi-fi networks) tell us that wireless networks works with 13 different channels on OFDM (depending on the release, a, b, g or n). From this I ...
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votes
2answers
5k views
What's the maximum actual bit rate of an 802.11g connection?
Using a wired connection, I get a 38 Mbit/s download speed. When I switch to wireless one (Linksys WRT54GL router with Tomato firmware), the speed drops to 23 Mbit/s even if the distance between the ...
29
votes
3answers
2k views
Can admins monitor my activity locally even when I use a VPN?
My school has one of those super overreacting web blockers (specifically Fortisnet) that blocks things that should be accessible by a high-school senior trying to research projects. Despite many ...
27
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10answers
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Can I make two wireless routers communicate using the wireless?
I want to make a setup like this:
cable modem <-cable-> wireless router 1 <-wireless-> wireless router 2 in another room <-cables-> PCs in another room
Basically, I want to extend my ...
26
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12answers
5k views
Which routers do you prefer for DD-WRT or OpenWRT? [closed]
I'm aware of the giant Supported Devices list. I'm wondering which ones you all prefer (e.g., support for Mega install, cheap, reliable hardware, USB port, etc.)
I've used an ASUS WL-500G Premium ...
25
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5answers
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How do I tell Windows to use 802.11 in preference to 3G?
I have a Samsung NC-10 netbook which I take to work every day. Most of the time I use it just on the train/bus, but I also use it at work and home.
It has a built-in 3G card which I want to use when ...
24
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6answers
2k views
How to put fear of God (law) into Wi-Fi hacking neighbors [closed]
I live in an apartment and some new guys have apparently moved into one of the apartments.
They have been shamelessly hacking into my WiFi.
Mine was initially a WEP encrypted network and out of ...
24
votes
7answers
2k views
How can I protect myself while using public wifi hotspots?
I frequently need to access secure resources (gmail, banking, remote desktop, etc) while on public wifi hotspots. What can I do to ensure that nobody can sniff my passwords or my other browsing ...
21
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6answers
676 views
How can I get a wireless signal inside a walk-in freezer?
I need to amplify our wireless signal into a large walk-in freezer. Currently, the signal gets everywhere around the freezer, but does not penetrate the steel walls.
What would be the best and ...
20
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6answers
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Recommended gigabit 802.11n routers that work with DD-WRT [closed]
I've read this question, and checked out the supported devices list, but am looking specifically for a gigabit 802.11n router that is easy to find and fully supported by DD-WRT.
It seems like some of ...
20
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3answers
2k views
Small WiFi webcam for quasi-outdoor use
I’d like to have a webcam pointed toward my house, so that I can check (via Safari on iPhone) if I left the garage door open, if there’s a package on my doorstep when I’m off on a business trip, etc.
...
19
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4answers
15k views
How does a hacker in a public WIFI actually view your computer?
I've read that they can see what sites your viewing or even access your computer if you're connected on the same WIFI connection but how exactly?
19
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1answer
584 views
Where does Windows 8 store the estimated data usage over Wifi?
I accidentally discovered that in Windows 8, if you right-click a previously connected wireless network from the Start screen interface, there's an option to show estimated data usage.
Where's ...
18
votes
4answers
26k views
Make Windows 7 ignore WiFi when ethernet is available
When I dock my Windows 7 laptop, I want it to prefer the wired ethernet connection over WiFi.
This is a pretty straightforward thing to do on my Mac - I just reorder my network preferences, and it ...
18
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2answers
13k views
Does a wireless-N (802.11n) network have poor performance when in b/g “mixed” mode?
It seems to be an "old" wives tale that, when using a wireless-N router in "mixed mode" to support legacy 802.11b or 802.11g devices, the performance of 802.11n clients will suffer.
Some places ...
16
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2answers
836 views
Is securing Wifi with MAC Filter enough?
I have a MAC filter in place for everything that connects to my router. I also have WPA2 on the wireless.
When a friend comes around, I tell them the password (I trust them), they type it into their ...
16
votes
2answers
48k views
RSSI value of wifi connection - how to interpret?
In Mac OS X you can obtain the RSSI value of your by wifi connection by holding Alt and clicking on the Wifi-indicator icon.
My questions are:
What range of values can RSSI take?
What RSSI ranges ...
15
votes
6answers
1k views
Will the ethernet pull bandwidth if unplugged?
I'm fairly certain that this isn't a problem, but like a phone charger it will still pull electricity even though you aren't charging anything if you leave it plugged into the wall. Though minimal it ...
15
votes
6answers
33k views
How to see who is using my WiFi
I have WiFi router at home and would like to know if there is any way to know who is connected to my WiFi network and using it. My WiFi network is password protected but still there could be a chance ...
15
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7answers
524 views
Common mistakes on home wireless network
Besides not setting a password, what are other common mistakes made when setting up a wireless network?
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3answers
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How do I set my wireless network to be private instead of public?
Trying to maintain good security settings on my laptop, I want my home network to be interpreted as private and the university network at school to be interpreted as public. However, my home network ...
15
votes
4answers
8k views
Can other people on an encrypted Wi-Fi AP see what you're doing?
If you connect to an open, unencrypted Wi-Fi access point, everything you do can be captured by other people within range.
If you connect to an encrypted point, then people nearby can intercept what ...
15
votes
4answers
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Is it better to use a crowded 2.4GHz Wi-Fi channel 1, 6, 11 or “unused” 3, 4, 8, or 9?
I understand that 2.4GHz Wi-Fi channels overlap, and that the most popular non-overlapping set of channels in the US is 1, 6, and 11. Generally, my signal strength on channels 1, 6, and 11 are much ...
15
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4answers
95k views
Make Windows forget a network connection password?
Is there a way to prevent Windows from remembering the network password after it connects? So that upon disconnecting Windows won't reconnect without re-entering password.
15
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3answers
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Does it make sense to keep different SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless networks?
My router can have different SSIDs for 2.4 and 5 GHz and I'm not sure if it's better to have the same SSID or not.
Initially I put the same network but I got confused when the MacBook Pro displayed ...
14
votes
4answers
26k views
When concurrently connected to wired and wireless ensure Windows 7 uses wired connection
When I am at my desk and my laptop is in its docking station I want to ensure that it uses its wired connection and not my wireless network. I am hoping/guessing that the preference in connection is ...
13
votes
12answers
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What is the most practical security method for a home wireless network?
Quoting Ars Technica:
Proper wireless network
(802.11a/b/g/n) security is quite
simply out of reach for most
organizations. ... Given that WEP
(both 64- and 128-bit), WPA1/2 (PSK),
and ...
13
votes
2answers
584 views
If two devices are emitting a wifi signal in the same frequency at the same time and reach an antenna at the same time, how can the data not overlap?
I mean, I know each packet is sent with a MAC address, but what about streaming?
What happen if while the router is receiving one packet, a packet from another device arrives?
How can the router ...
13
votes
1answer
6k views
How to launch a command on network connection/disconnection?
I have a wifi connection that requires to authenticate using a web form once the wireless link is established.
I know how to automate the authentication with a script that uses curl/curlIE.
But how ...
13
votes
1answer
3k views
List Available Wireless Networks from Command Line
I'm currently trying to do some physical debugging with one of our devices. It would be very useful to be able to use a command to output a list of available wireless networks to the command line or ...
12
votes
5answers
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Wireless vs. Wired: which is faster?
I have the option of hooking up my machines to the internet either wirelessly or via ethernet cable (wired). I'm curious as to which is faster; the approximate wireless signal strength (average) is ...
12
votes
7answers
4k views
How to extend Wi-Fi signal across rooms?
I moved into a new place and my old Wi-Fi router just doesn't have the range to get into all the rooms. I've been investigating a lot of options and I'm wondering what other folks have done here. ...
12
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2answers
3k views
How to run a program when connecting to a specific network in Windows 7
I want to have an executable run every time I connect to my wireless network at home. The purpose is to sync a folder on my laptop with my desktop machine.
Is there any way run a program or script ...
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votes
4answers
10k views
How to sniff for wireless MAC addresses in area - My laptop got stolen
A few days ago my apartment got broken in, and they took all the electronics, including my $1500 laptop.
We are pretty sure it's an inside job (as in someone from the same building), so I believe ...
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4answers
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How do I configure my Linksys routers to resist the WPS brute-force vulnerability?
US-CERT recently released Vulnerability Note VU#723755.
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/723755
In short, this describes how modern wireless routers can have their PSKs discovered within just a matter ...
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7answers
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Why is MAC-based authentication insecure?
Most wireless routers can use MAC-based authentication as part of their overall security scheme. It seems like a good idea, but I've heard that it is very ineffective, because it's easy to spoof MAC ...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
How does Wi-Fi modulate the electro-magnetic wave?
Not sure if this is the right site for this question, but mine is a simple one:
Is Wi-Fi AM, FM or a combination of them both?
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votes
3answers
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Where Are Wireless Passwords Stored on Mac OS X?
After the Snow Leopard update I can't connect to my home wifi router.
I removed it from Network Preferences and from Keychain but when I reconnect it will not ask me for the password.
All other ...
11
votes
3answers
4k views
500 Mbit/s powerline network, only 3.5 Mbyte/s transfer speed?
I have a TP-Link 500 Mbit/s Gigabit Powerline Adapter linking two computers (one Windows Vista and one Windows 7) in different rooms in the house. As in:
Computer <-Ethernet ...
11
votes
6answers
5k views
Is https traffic over an unencrypted wireless network secure?
This is something I've wondered for a long time. If I am, say, using Gmail over https, can someone read my IM conversations and emails if I use an unsecured wireless network? I assume that the data ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
How can I detect unauthorized access on my 802.11 g/n network?
I am using a wireless network and I want to make sure that no unauthorized users are connecting through my access point. I am using the standard encryption the device supports. I know it is a ...
11
votes
2answers
36k views
How to monitor bandwidth use of each device on wifi network
I have in my home a standard Comcast cable internet connection. I have it going from the wall to a cable modem, and from the modem to a late-series Linksys router, which provides wired and wireless ...
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2answers
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How do I decrypt WPA2 encrypted packets using Wireshark?
I am trying to decrypt my WLAN data with Wireshark. I have already read and tried eveything on this page but without any success (well, I tried the example dump on that page and succeeded, but I fail ...
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3answers
1k views
How do multiple SSIDs provide security?
If the ADSL modem router provides multiple wireless SSIDs how does this offer security? Is it possible to have multiple subnets with SSIDs?
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2answers
30k views
How do I get a 300Mbps connection over 802.11n?
I just bought a new wireless setup, consisting of a Cisco E2000 router, Edimax 7718un USB adapter for my laptop and an Edimax 7728in PCI adapter for my HTPC (which isn't in a location I can run cat5 ...
10
votes
3answers
9k views
Should I Upgrade My Old Wireless Router?
I have an old wireless router, and I mean stone age old (5 years). There is nothing wrong technically with the router, it serves my wireless needs at home but it is really darn old. A search on ...
10
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3answers
3k views
Windows 7 machine makes router drop ALL wireless connections
Some background:
My home network consists of my desktop computer, a two-month old Windows 7 (x64) machine which is online most frequently (N-spec), as well as three other Windows XP laptops ...
9
votes
4answers
2k views
Flatmate uses torrents, will this slow the internet connection?
I share the internet with two other people and I know one of them uses utorrents and is constantly downloading. When her computer is off the internet is substantially faster, would this be because of ...
