Wifi network names

I was walking on a walk track furnished by the local hospital. Part of the track goes behind some Apartment building.

There were a list of wifi passwords. One of them was "neighbors suck"

Reply to
Metspitzer
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I was sitting in my home office one day and check wifi's. One was "FBI surveillance van". Now why would they advertise that.

Reply to
rlz

Actually those weren't passwords but rather were the names of the residents' networks-- SSIDs if you're a technical sort.

Reply to
Douglas C. Neidermeyer

SSIDs, actually - the names of wireless networks. There are lists of funny network names floating around. "WeCanHearYouHavingSex" is one of my favorites, as is "RIAA Legal Department".

Reply to
Hell Toupee

Its called a joke. If I have to explain it its not funny.

Reply to
Cliff H

OK, I'll bite. What is "RIAA?"

Reply to
Gordon Shumway

This must be it:

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Reply to
Frank

Or FBI Surveillance Van

Reply to
Kurt Ullman

Years ago when I toyed with Script Kiddies trying to get into my system, my computer name, the one that shows up on any network was "NSA STRIKE TEAM". When I service networks and hook my service laptop to a network and work with remote tech support, my laptop shows up on the network as "Laptop From Hell" so there's no mistake which port of a switch or router I'm hooked to. I also use some pretty horrid names for my own WiFi AP's. ^_^

TDD

Reply to
The Daring Dufas

The crazy people who sue little kids and or their families for illegally downloading copyrighted music/movies. The lawsuits and rewards are for insane amounts of money or they threaten a lawsuit to extort a settlement. O_o

TDD

Reply to
The Daring Dufas

Why do people broadcast their SSIDs? If I know who you are and think that you have a legitimate need to access my network via WiFi, I'll tell you what the SSID is -- or I'll enter the information on your computer for you.

Perce

Reply to
Percival P. Cassidy

So my laptop can find the router automatically when I get home.

Why bother hiding it?

Reply to
krw

Oh. Just to be clear, by "little kids and their families" you really mean snot-nosed thieves and their miscreant parents, right?

Reply to
Gordon Shumway

My SSID is broadcasted. The password is not. If you can figure out my extremely strong password, feel free to use my WiFi.

Reply to
DerbyDad03

Quite often, the parent has no idea that the kid is pirating music or their WiFi network isn't password protected and someone outside of their home has been using their network. I have directional high gain antennas and I can access open networks all over the neighborhood. Luckily, I'm not a Juvenal Delinquent who downloads music from pirate sites and I respect private property. I have been known to notify folks of security issues as a good neighbor which is much appreciated by neighbors who will look out for me as a way to return the favor. When they offer me money for helping them with anything, I decline saying "You're my neighbor and I may need your help someday." Help the little old lady down the street and she'll call you if she sees someone snooping around your property. As far as kids doing illegal downloading of anything, the kid may not even know it's wrong and good parents want to know what their offspring is up to. Folks are a bit more computer savvy than they used to be but there are still gaps in their knowledge which the kid can and will take advantage of if the parent doesn't keep an eye on them. ^_^

TDD

Reply to
The Daring Dufas

On Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:12:41 -0500, The Daring Dufas wrote in Re Re: Wifi network names:

How well do these work? Can you recommend one for a laptop?

Reply to
CRNG

Actually not so much. They are more likely to go after the 'low hanging fruit' that will get headlines without incurring a lot of legal costs.

Jim

Reply to
Jim Elbrecht

The problem with a laptop is how to connect the antenna without opening up the laptop to screw around with its internal WiFi adapter. You can get a USB WiFi adapter that has an antenna connector. I had a PC card type for my old Dell laptop that had the connector and I now have one that is USB. I have a Hawking HiGain Directional Corner Antenna that I've owned for some years that is compact and can sit on a desk or other location within reach so I can aim it. I had it sitting on top of my desktop computer when I lived next door to my late friend GB and shared Internet access with him. I was able to get a good signal through several walls of the two houses using an internal adapter that had a RP-SMA external antenna jack. I have a pile of different equipment for all sorts of situations so I'll list a few links to what may work for you and your laptop. You may be able to use an adapter with a directional "panel" antenna that I've found to work well in many situations. Here are some links to the type of gear that may work for you. ^_^

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A problem with the higher power USB adapters and a laptop can be battery drain so there are many choices to consider for mobile use. If you are only interested in stationary use on your desk, it shouldn't be a problem since you can plug a power supply into your house power. Another consideration is whether or not the USB port on your laptop can supply enough power for the higher power adapters, again, house power and a wall wart takes care of that. If you are interested in mobile use or "Wardriving" to ferret out connections in your exploration of your environment you can get a lot of tips and information from Wardriving websites. ^_^

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TDD

Reply to
The Daring Dufas

My laptop knows both my SSID and my password: it connects automatically.

Because if nobody knows my WiFi network exists, how are they going to try breaking into it?

Perce

Reply to
Percival P. Cassidy

The don't broadcast your SSID idea is just nonsense that keeps on showing up in the various "computer expert" articles who are paid by the word.

It certainly doesn't make your network invisible and just causes issues for nearby wireless users.

Reply to
George

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