Wireless network question

[XabbaRus]

I currently have a wireless modem/router that is connected to my Desktop via the ethernet port and obviously has the phone cable plugged in the modem/router.

Now on my desktop all I see is Local Area Connection - Operational.

How can I see what other wireless networks are near by while sitting at my desktop? The laptop is easy as it has a built in wireless and finds quite a few.

The reason I am asking is that I have switched to BT and they have this setup with FON where other BT Customers are opted in to allowing usage of their network to other BT broadband customers. So if I am in London with my laptop I can scan for other BT broadband customers and if they have remained opted in I can get wireless connectivity for free.

I myself am going to opt out, as no matter and I don't care how good they say the system is I do not want some stranger access my broadband connection.

[Spike88]

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

I currently have a wireless modem/router that is connected to my Desktop via the ethernet port and obviously has the phone cable plugged in the modem/router.

Now on my desktop all I see is Local Area Connection - Operational.

How can I see what other wireless networks are near by while sitting at my desktop? The laptop is easy as it has a built in wireless and finds quite a few.

The reason I am asking is that I have switched to BT and they have this setup with FON where other BT Customers are opted in to allowing usage of their network to other BT broadband customers. So if I am in London with my laptop I can scan for other BT broadband customers and if they have remained opted in I can get wireless connectivity for free.

I myself am going to opt out, as no matter and I don't care how good they say the system is I do not want some stranger access my broadband connection.

Unless you're desktop has a WIFI card or WIFI adapter you wont be able to see what networks are around you.


Although you can see who logs onto your router by going into its control thing(don't know what to call it). How to do this depends on the router. For example on mine I go to gateway.2wire.net
Here's what Mine looks like:

I can see who's connected, and can limit who connects by changing the password needed to get in.

Most of the time you can get into your router by connecting to it's IP.

The internal, LAN-IP address is normally set to a default, private number. Linksys routers, for example, use 192.168.1.1 for their internal IP address. D-Link and Netgear routers typically use 192.168.0.1. Some US Robotics routers use 192.168.123.254, and some SMC routers use 192.168.2.1. No matter the brand of router, its default internal IP address should be provided in documentation. Administrators often have the option to change this IP address during router setup. In any case, however, the private LAN-IP address remains fixed once set. It can be viewed from the router's administrative console.

For example if I use mine which is 192.168.1.254, it takes me to the gateway.2wire.net page.

[CaptainHaplo]

Spike nailed it - without a wireless nic in your desktop, it can't see wireless networks.

Putting in a wireless nic is easy and fairly cheap.

Also - Spike makes some good points. Always secure your wireless network. Sure, the security can be broken by someone who WANTS to - but your average joe in the neighborhood doesnt have the expertise, tools or time.

One often overlooked security feature is locking the network to only specific MAC addresses. This way, not only someone have to crack the security on your network, but they also have to try ALOT of combinations on the MAC to find the right one. Course, there are ways around that - but again - only the true intruders are going to know how.

[XabbaRus]

My wireless network is secured using WEP2 so I'm not worried about that.

I was just wondering if I could vie any wireless networks in my neighbourhood from my desktop.

Obviously not. I'll have to use the laptop for that.

Oh well. no biggie.

Is there not any 3rd party software that could be used?

[XabbaRus]

A shame really as my BT HomeHub arrived today which is also a router/modem.

I was hoping to have it installed near my phone socket and then keep my current router/modem working only as a wireless router and link to the BT Home Hub from there.

Looks like I will have to have the home hub physically attached to my PC and ditch my old router/modem.

[longam]

That would require a wireless bridge. (conversion)

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-...reless-bridge/

[CaptainHaplo]

Ultimately, your desktop has to have some way to receive the broadcast network signal. Thats why it needs a wireless card. You can get em cheap if you want to go that rout.

[Sean C]

Just for grins I once tried to log on to some other routers in my neighborhood. Many of them were completely unsecured and used the default admin name and passwords. If I had wanted to, I could have completely re-configured my neighbors' routers (among other things). Don't fool yourself into thinking that no one is going to mess with your home network. Anyone driving by can pick up the signal and could potentially wreak havoc.

Also, when checking for nearby networks on my cell phone once, I saw several that were named "FBI Surveillance Van 1", etc. Gave me a good laugh.

[Aktungbby]

moril!

[u crank]

^ Reported as spam.

[Rockin Robbins]

Originally Posted by u crank

^ Reported as spam.

That's bizarre! What could possibly be spam here? Something that is no longer here? lol

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

That's bizarre! What could possibly be spam here? Something that is no longer here? lol

That's what I like to refer to as 'magic'