Groups | Search | Server Info | Keyboard shortcuts | Login | Register [http] [https] [nntp] [nntps]

Groups > alt.comp.os.windows-10 > #189920 > unrolled thread

OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

Back to article view | Back to alt.comp.os.windows-10

Contents

  OT?  Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?  micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> - 2025-11-26 08:55 -0500
    Re: OT?  Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?  micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> - 2025-11-26 09:09 -0500
      Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Paul <nospam@needed.invalid> - 2025-11-26 13:43 -0500
        Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marian <marian@dumbshits.com> - 2025-11-27 16:01 +0000
      Re: OT?  Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-11-27 12:49 +0000
        Re: OT?  Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marian <marian@dumbshits.com> - 2025-11-27 16:29 +0000
    Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? knuttle <keith_nuttle@yahoo.com> - 2025-11-26 12:16 -0500
      Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> - 2025-11-26 12:44 -0500
        Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-11-27 12:45 +0100
          Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Mark Lloyd <not.email@all.invalid> - 2025-11-27 16:29 +0000
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marian <marian@dumbshits.com> - 2025-11-27 16:34 +0000
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-11-27 20:06 +0100
              Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> - 2025-11-27 20:16 +0000
                Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-11-28 08:16 +0000
                Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Mark Lloyd <not.email@all.invalid> - 2025-11-28 17:17 +0000
          Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> - 2025-11-27 19:31 -0500
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> - 2025-11-28 14:57 +0000
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-11-28 15:12 +0000
              Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marian <marian@dumbshits.com> - 2025-11-28 17:51 +0000
              Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> - 2025-12-01 11:27 -0500
    Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-11-26 18:18 +0100
    Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? User Support <User.Support@invalid.invalid> - 2025-11-26 22:10 +0000
    Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-11-27 17:13 +0000
      Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-11-27 20:08 +0100
        Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-11-28 08:16 +0000
          Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-11-28 21:13 +0100
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-11-29 00:07 +0000
              Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-11-29 14:24 +0100
    Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? wasbit <wasbit@REMOVEhotmail.com> - 2025-11-28 08:47 +0000
      Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-11-28 10:49 +0000
        Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-11-28 18:00 +0000
          Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-11-28 19:05 +0000
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> - 2025-11-29 02:00 +0000
              Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-11-29 11:22 +0000
                Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-11-29 14:29 +0100
                Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> - 2025-11-29 14:11 +0000
                  Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-11-29 15:34 +0000
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Daniel70 <daniel47@nomail.afraid.org> - 2025-11-29 20:36 +1100
              Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-11-29 11:32 +0000
      Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2025-11-28 10:54 +0000
        Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marian <marian@dumbshits.com> - 2025-11-28 18:03 +0000
      Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marcus90@guess.com - 2025-11-28 12:41 -0600
        Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marian <marian@dumbshits.com> - 2025-11-28 19:18 +0000
          Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Hank Rogers <Hank@nospam.invalid> - 2025-11-28 16:47 -0600
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> - 2025-11-29 02:04 +0000
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Paul <nospam@needed.invalid> - 2025-11-28 21:36 -0500
        Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Daniel70 <daniel47@nomail.afraid.org> - 2025-11-29 20:48 +1100
      Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Paul <nospam@needed.invalid> - 2025-11-28 14:03 -0500
        Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? wasbit <wasbit@REMOVEhotmail.com> - 2025-12-01 09:21 +0000
          Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-12-01 13:47 +0000
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-12-01 15:04 +0100
              Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marian <marianjones@helpfulpeople.com> - 2025-12-01 07:50 -0700
                Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-12-02 13:53 +0100
                  Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marian <marianjones@helpfulpeople.com> - 2025-12-02 10:04 -0700
                Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Winston <wbe@UBEBLOCK.psr.com.invalid> - 2025-12-02 12:04 -0500
                  Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marian <marianjones@helpfulpeople.com> - 2025-12-02 10:56 -0700
                    Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-12-02 23:19 +0100
                  Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? John <Man@the.keyboard> - 2025-12-03 15:07 +0000
              Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-12-01 15:03 +0000
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marian <marianjones@helpfulpeople.com> - 2025-12-01 07:18 -0700
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? wasbit <wasbit@REMOVEhotmail.com> - 2025-12-02 09:33 +0000
              Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Daniel70 <daniel47@nomail.afraid.org> - 2025-12-02 22:21 +1100
                Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> - 2025-12-02 13:30 +0000
              Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-12-02 14:11 +0000
              Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-12-02 15:25 +0000
          Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-12-01 18:04 +0000
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? wasbit <wasbit@REMOVEhotmail.com> - 2025-12-02 09:20 +0000
              Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-12-02 14:11 +0000
                Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-12-02 15:26 +0100
                  Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-12-02 22:23 +0000
                    Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-12-03 14:02 +0100
                      Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2025-12-04 18:36 +0000
                        Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2025-12-04 18:42 +0000
                        Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2025-12-04 23:20 +0000
                        Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Daniel70 <daniel47@nomail.afraid.org> - 2025-12-05 19:54 +1100
          Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? John <Man@the.keyboard> - 2025-12-03 14:52 +0000
    Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Mr. Man-wai Chang" <toylet.toylet@gmail.com> - 2025-11-29 00:00 +0800
      Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-11-29 14:36 +0100
        Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Mr. Man-wai Chang" <toylet.toylet@gmail.com> - 2025-11-30 12:52 +0800
          Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "J. P. Gilliver" <G6JPG@255soft.uk> - 2025-11-30 13:48 +0000
            Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Mr. Man-wai Chang" <toylet.toylet@gmail.com> - 2025-11-30 22:28 +0800
              Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2025-11-30 20:36 +0100
                Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marian <marianjones@helpfulpeople.com> - 2025-12-01 11:45 -0700
    Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Adrian Caspersz <email@here.invalid> - 2025-11-28 17:56 +0000
      Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marian <marian@dumbshits.com> - 2025-11-28 18:40 +0000
        Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing? Marian <marian@dumbshits.com> - 2025-11-28 18:54 +0000

Page 3 of 5 — ← Prev page 1 2 [3] 4 5  Next page →

#189957 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

On Fri, 28 Nov 2025 10:54:26 +0000, Andy Burns wrote:

> wasbit wrote:
> 
>> Hmmm! 19 replies & not a mention of bandwidth theft.
> 
> Amazed that any wifi router is set for no authentication ...

To that point, while I get my Internet for free from a WISP, I live on a
mountain where I can see a city below of almost a million inhabitants, so
with any one of my many powerful Ubiquiti Rocket dishes, I can "see"
perhaps hundreds of access points, some of which are not secured.

Of course, the rooftop radio needs to have a very good sensitivity with low
noise in my local environment (for a good SNR) to reliably receive weak
signals and of course the radio needs to be set to a very high power output
with a narrow beamwidth (and channel width), but all that "can" be
accomplished if you felt like stealing someone else's bandwidth.

I don't do it, of course, for the obvious reasons, but my only point to
other is that a surprising amount of those appear to be unsecured. 
-- 

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#189959 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

On Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:47:26 +0000, wasbit <wasbit@REMOVEhotmail.com>
wrote:

>On 26/11/2025 13:55, micky wrote:
>> OT?? if I'm using someone else's wifi, can he tell what's in email I'm
>> sending or receiving, can he tell what I'm sending or receiving on the
>> web, or what I'm sending or receiving here on Usenet?.   I would think
>> not but just want to be sure.    He's a smart guy but no tech genius
>> afaik.  If he were a tech wiz, could he do it?
>> 

I might have missed it, but did anyone in this overdone thread even
begin to mention that what this user is doing is wrong?  Or is this no
longer pertinent in this day and age?

Such a potential problem is why I do not use Wi-Fi for our home
computers.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#189963 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

On Fri, 28 Nov 2025 12:41:13 -0600, Marcus90@guess.com wrote:

> I might have missed it, but did anyone in this overdone thread even
> begin to mention that what this user is doing is wrong?  Or is this no
> longer pertinent in this day and age?

I don't think he needs a morality re-education.

Everyone who knows nothing about the technical issues always seems to harp
on their personal "moral" aspect, where some people mentioned what you say,
but as others have already noted, there's no reason to suspect illegal
purposeful intent so I, for one, kept all my responses purely technical.

However, since I'm on Apple newsgroups, I'm very familiar with people
claiming the moral high ground solely as a substitute for knowledge about
the situation. An example is iOS owners always claim that the reason they
can't do things everyone else can do (even macOS owners can do them) is
that Apple is "more moral" than Google or Microsoft (e.g., iOS can't do
TOR, and iOS can't spoof GPS, and iOS can't randomize MAC addresses per
connection, and iOS can't run system-wide firewalls, and iOS can't torrent,
and the list goes on and on and on for whatg iOS can't do that the iOS
owners falsely claim is a "moral" issue).

Back to morals... 

In this thread, plenty of people explained to the OP how to "forget" and
"block" connections to nearby unsecured SSIDs, which is all he needs.

 netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid="Neighbor_SSID" networktype=infrastructure 

 

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#189965 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

Marian wrote on 11/28/2025 1:18 PM:
> On Fri, 28 Nov 2025 12:41:13 -0600, Marcus90@guess.com wrote:
> 
>> I might have missed it, but did anyone in this overdone thread even
>> begin to mention that what this user is doing is wrong?  Or is this no
>> longer pertinent in this day and age?
> 
> I don't think he needs a morality re-education.
> 
> Everyone who knows nothing about the technical issues always seems to harp
> on their personal "moral" aspect, where some people mentioned what you say,
> but as others have already noted, there's no reason to suspect illegal
> purposeful intent so I, for one, kept all my responses purely technical.
> 
> However, since I'm on Apple newsgroups, I'm very familiar with people
> claiming the moral high ground solely as a substitute for knowledge about
> the situation. An example is iOS owners always claim that the reason they
> can't do things everyone else can do (even macOS owners can do them) is
> that Apple is "more moral" than Google or Microsoft (e.g., iOS can't do
> TOR, and iOS can't spoof GPS, and iOS can't randomize MAC addresses per
> connection, and iOS can't run system-wide firewalls, and iOS can't torrent,
> and the list goes on and on and on for whatg iOS can't do that the iOS
> owners falsely claim is a "moral" issue).
> 
> Back to morals...
> 
> In this thread, plenty of people explained to the OP how to "forget" and
> "block" connections to nearby unsecured SSIDs, which is all he needs.
> 
>   netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid="Neighbor_SSID" networktype=infrastructure
> 

Indeed!  But I think it's time for a detailed, comprehensive, adult 
tutorial.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#189968 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

On 2025/11/28 22:47:53, Hank Rogers wrote:

[]

> Indeed!  But I think it's time for a detailed, comprehensive, adult 
> tutorial.
> 
Aargh, don't prod you-know-who - we seem to have been excused his
"tutorials" (usually starting with a question to which the "tutorial" is
an answer) for a while.

-- 
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Know what happens when you don't pay your exorcist?
You get repossessed!
- Randle Brashear, 2015-8-9

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#189969 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

On Fri, 11/28/2025 5:47 PM, Hank Rogers wrote:
> Marian wrote on 11/28/2025 1:18 PM:
>> On Fri, 28 Nov 2025 12:41:13 -0600, Marcus90@guess.com wrote:
>>
>>> I might have missed it, but did anyone in this overdone thread even
>>> begin to mention that what this user is doing is wrong?  Or is this no
>>> longer pertinent in this day and age?
>>
>> I don't think he needs a morality re-education.
>>
>> Everyone who knows nothing about the technical issues always seems to harp
>> on their personal "moral" aspect, where some people mentioned what you say,
>> but as others have already noted, there's no reason to suspect illegal
>> purposeful intent so I, for one, kept all my responses purely technical.
>>
>> However, since I'm on Apple newsgroups, I'm very familiar with people
>> claiming the moral high ground solely as a substitute for knowledge about
>> the situation. An example is iOS owners always claim that the reason they
>> can't do things everyone else can do (even macOS owners can do them) is
>> that Apple is "more moral" than Google or Microsoft (e.g., iOS can't do
>> TOR, and iOS can't spoof GPS, and iOS can't randomize MAC addresses per
>> connection, and iOS can't run system-wide firewalls, and iOS can't torrent,
>> and the list goes on and on and on for whatg iOS can't do that the iOS
>> owners falsely claim is a "moral" issue).
>>
>> Back to morals...
>>
>> In this thread, plenty of people explained to the OP how to "forget" and
>> "block" connections to nearby unsecured SSIDs, which is all he needs.
>>
>>   netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid="Neighbor_SSID" networktype=infrastructure
>>
> 
> Indeed!  But I think it's time for a detailed, comprehensive, adult tutorial.
> 

That's one of the reasons I get this group, for the subtle humour.

   Paul

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#189971 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

On 29/11/2025 5:41 am, Marcus90@guess.com wrote:
> On Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:47:26 +0000, wasbit <wasbit@REMOVEhotmail.com>
> wrote:
> 
>> On 26/11/2025 13:55, micky wrote:
>>> OT?? if I'm using someone else's wifi, can he tell what's in email I'm
>>> sending or receiving, can he tell what I'm sending or receiving on the
>>> web, or what I'm sending or receiving here on Usenet?.   I would think
>>> not but just want to be sure.    He's a smart guy but no tech genius
>>> afaik.  If he were a tech wiz, could he do it?
>>>
> 
> I might have missed it, but did anyone in this overdone thread even
> begin to mention that what this user is doing is wrong?  Or is this no
> longer pertinent in this day and age?

Yes, it has been mentioned.

> Such a potential problem is why I do not use Wi-Fi for our home
> computers.
> 
Hmm!! Marcus, you wouldn't be a Forensic Inspector-type person, would 
you?? (As I sit here typing, I'm 'watching' 'Vera', and the 
Forensics-type person is named 'Marcus'!! ;-P)
-- 
Daniel70

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#189961 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

On Fri, 11/28/2025 3:47 AM, wasbit wrote:
> On 26/11/2025 13:55, micky wrote:
>> OT?? if I'm using someone else's wifi, can he tell what's in email I'm
>> sending or receiving, can he tell what I'm sending or receiving on the
>> web, or what I'm sending or receiving here on Usenet?.   I would think
>> not but just want to be sure.    He's a smart guy but no tech genius
>> afaik.  If he were a tech wiz, could he do it?
>>
>> My wifi has been giving me trouble since February, and last night on the
>> upstairs computer, the cable internet would not work either.  The
>> Troubleshooter said the cable wasn't in, and indeed, I had sometimes
>> gotten success by pushing it in further, a millimeter, but that didn't
>> work last night.   Even though the Verizon FIOS fiberoptic phone was
>> working and the Verizon box has a flashing led for the cable that goes
>> to my computer.
>>
>> This morning I rebooted and on its own, it connected to the wifi of a
>> neighbor, but not to my own wifi   Hmmm after 30 minutes of using his,
>> it just switched to my wifi.  But still not to the cable, which I
>> thought would take priority, plusd last night the Troubleshooter said my
>> laptop's wifi was bad too, the one that hasn't worked since February.
>>
> 
> Hmmm! 19 replies & not a mention of bandwidth theft.

It seems to be mostly a tale about semi-broken or half-functional kit.
Since the OP has his own paid Internet service, there is no
evidence of "100% leeching" going on, particularly. I bet the
OP could tighten up his settings a bit.

   Paul

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#189988 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

On 28/11/2025 19:03, Paul wrote:
> On Fri, 11/28/2025 3:47 AM, wasbit wrote:
>> On 26/11/2025 13:55, micky wrote:
>>> OT?? if I'm using someone else's wifi, can he tell what's in email I'm
>>> sending or receiving, can he tell what I'm sending or receiving on the
>>> web, or what I'm sending or receiving here on Usenet?.   I would think
>>> not but just want to be sure.    He's a smart guy but no tech genius
>>> afaik.  If he were a tech wiz, could he do it?
>>>
>>> My wifi has been giving me trouble since February, and last night on the
>>> upstairs computer, the cable internet would not work either.  The
>>> Troubleshooter said the cable wasn't in, and indeed, I had sometimes
>>> gotten success by pushing it in further, a millimeter, but that didn't
>>> work last night.   Even though the Verizon FIOS fiberoptic phone was
>>> working and the Verizon box has a flashing led for the cable that goes
>>> to my computer.
>>>
>>> This morning I rebooted and on its own, it connected to the wifi of a
>>> neighbor, but not to my own wifi   Hmmm after 30 minutes of using his,
>>> it just switched to my wifi.  But still not to the cable, which I
>>> thought would take priority, plusd last night the Troubleshooter said my
>>> laptop's wifi was bad too, the one that hasn't worked since February.
>>>
>>
>> Hmmm! 19 replies & not a mention of bandwidth theft.
> 
> It seems to be mostly a tale about semi-broken or half-functional kit.
> Since the OP has his own paid Internet service, there is no
> evidence of "100% leeching" going on, particularly. I bet the
> OP could tighten up his settings a bit.
> 

The OP knows he has connected to the neighbour's wifi but said nothing 
about having permission.
Until clarified it is bandwidth theft.



-- 
Regards
wasbit

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#189992 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

wasbit <wasbit@removehotmail.com> wrote:
> On 28/11/2025 19:03, Paul wrote:
> > On Fri, 11/28/2025 3:47 AM, wasbit wrote:
[...]
> >> Hmmm! 19 replies & not a mention of bandwidth theft.
> > 
> > It seems to be mostly a tale about semi-broken or half-functional kit.
> > Since the OP has his own paid Internet service, there is no
> > evidence of "100% leeching" going on, particularly. I bet the
> > OP could tighten up his settings a bit.
>
> The OP knows he has connected to the neighbour's wifi but said nothing 
> about having permission.
> Until clarified it is bandwidth theft.

  micky's *computer* *accidentily* connected to his neighbour's WiFi:

<micky>
This morning I rebooted and on its own, it connected to the wifi of a
neighbor, but not to my own wifi   Hmmm after 30 minutes of using his,
it just switched to my wifi.  But still not to the cable, which I
thought would take priority, plusd last night the Troubleshooter said my
laptop's wifi was bad too, the one that hasn't worked since February.
</micky>

  So *instead of* connecting to his "cable" (wired LAN?) or WiFi, his
*computer* (*not* micky) connected to his neighbour's WiFi.

  Could he have disconnected the neighbour's WiFi in those 30 minutes?
Yes. Did he know how to do that? I don't know.

  As to "bandwidth theft": I'm sure his accidental use, doesn't deserve
your harsh condemnation.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#189993 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

On 2025-12-01 14:47, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> wasbit <wasbit@removehotmail.com> wrote:
>> On 28/11/2025 19:03, Paul wrote:
>>> On Fri, 11/28/2025 3:47 AM, wasbit wrote:
> [...]
>>>> Hmmm! 19 replies & not a mention of bandwidth theft.
>>>
>>> It seems to be mostly a tale about semi-broken or half-functional kit.
>>> Since the OP has his own paid Internet service, there is no
>>> evidence of "100% leeching" going on, particularly. I bet the
>>> OP could tighten up his settings a bit.
>>
>> The OP knows he has connected to the neighbour's wifi but said nothing
>> about having permission.
>> Until clarified it is bandwidth theft.
> 
>    micky's *computer* *accidentily* connected to his neighbour's WiFi:
> 
> <micky>
> This morning I rebooted and on its own, it connected to the wifi of a
> neighbor, but not to my own wifi   Hmmm after 30 minutes of using his,
> it just switched to my wifi.  But still not to the cable, which I
> thought would take priority, plusd last night the Troubleshooter said my
> laptop's wifi was bad too, the one that hasn't worked since February.
> </micky>
> 
>    So *instead of* connecting to his "cable" (wired LAN?) or WiFi, his
> *computer* (*not* micky) connected to his neighbour's WiFi.
> 
>    Could he have disconnected the neighbour's WiFi in those 30 minutes?
> Yes. Did he know how to do that? I don't know.
> 
>    As to "bandwidth theft": I'm sure his accidental use, doesn't deserve
> your harsh condemnation.

In my view, using an open WiFi is permitted.

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#189995 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

Carlos E.R. wrote:
>>    As to "bandwidth theft": I'm sure his accidental use, doesn't deserve
>> your harsh condemnation.
> 
> In my view, using an open WiFi is permitted.

I agree with both Carlos & Frank since I agree with anyone, no matter who 
they are, if they post a reasonably sensibly logically stated view.

However... I just looked up US case law on this topic for the first time, 
and while case law may well differ in Frank's & Carlos' location across the 
pond, I'm assuming the OP is in the United States whose law I looked up.

Below is a copied-and-pasted response from the references... 

In the United States, using a neighbor's open Wi-Fi without permission is 
generally considered unauthorized access under federal and state law. Even 
if the network is unsecured, courts have treated this as potentially 
illegal. Case law and statutes (like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act) 
support that "piggybacking" on someone else's Wi-Fi can be prosecuted, 
though enforcement is rare unless other crimes are involved.

Federal Law - Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA): The CFAA (18 U.S.C. Sec. 
1030) makes it a crime to intentionally access a "protected computer" 
without authorization. Courts have interpreted Wi-Fi routers and networks 
as "protected computers." Thus, connecting to a neighbor's Wi-Fi without 
consent can fall under this statute.

Many states have their own computer crime statutes that prohibit 
unauthorized access to networks. For example, Florida and Michigan have 
prosecuted individuals for unauthorized Wi-Fi use under state computer 
crime laws.

Michigan (2007 - Compuware Building case): A man was arrested for 
repeatedly using an open cafe Wi-Fi from his car. He was charged under 
Michigan's "Fraudulent Access to Computers, Computer Systems, and Computer 
Networks" law. The network had no password or permission screen, but 
prosecutors argued that "authorization" still requires the owner's consent.

Florida (2005 - Lakeland case): A man was fined for accessing a private 
home's open Wi-Fi without permission. He was prosecuted under Florida's 
computer crime statute. Again, the network was unsecured - no password or 
login screen - but the court treated it as unauthorized use.

Illinois (2006 - Aurora case): A man was charged with "unauthorized use of 
a computer network" for connecting to a resident's open Wi-Fi. The SSID was 
broadcast and unprotected, but the court found that lack of technical 
barriers did not equal consent.

In California, using a neighbor's open Wi-Fi without permission is illegal 
under California Penal Code Sec. 502 (Unauthorized Computer Access and 
Fraud). Even if the network is unsecured and has no permission screen, 
courts treat this as "unauthorized access." Convictions can carry fines and 
up to three years in prison.

California Penal Code Sec. 502 PC: Makes it a crime to "knowingly access 
and without permission use, alter, or damage any computer, computer system, 
or computer network." This statute explicitly covers Wi-Fi networks. Courts 
in California have clarified that the absence of a password or permission 
screen does not imply authorization. Unauthorized use of an open Wi-Fi is 
still considered "stealing" internet service.

People v. Hawkins (California, 2009): A man was charged under Penal Code 
Sec. 502 for accessing a neighbor's open Wi-Fi without permission. The 
court held that "open" does not equal "public," and unauthorized use still 
counts as unlawful access.

San Jose Police Reports (2005-2007): Several arrests were made for 
individuals "piggybacking" on open residential Wi-Fi. These were prosecuted 
under Sec. 502 PC, even though the networks had no passwords or permission 
screens.

If you own the router, then the best way to prevent this (and gain some 
privacy from mobile device uploads to public databases at the same time) is 
simply to hide AP broadcasts.

If you're the next-door neighbor, the best way on Windows to prevent 
connections to the neighbors' open access points is to "block them.

 @echo off
 netsh wlan show filters
 echo Blocking unwanted Wi-Fi networks...
 REM Replace these with the SSIDs you want to hide
 netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid="NeighborSSID1" networktype=infrastructure
 netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid="NeighborSSID2" networktype=infrastructure
 netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid="NeighborSSID3" networktype=infrastructure
 echo Done! The specified SSIDs are now blocked.
 netsh wlan show filters
 pause


REFERENCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_piggybacking
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/stealing-wi-fi-your-neighbor-a-victimless-crime.html
https://www.findlaw.com/realestate/neighbors/neighbor-stealing-your-wi-fi-here-are-your-legal-options.html
https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/defense/penal-code/502/
https://www.egattorneys.com/stealing-wifi
https://legalclarity.org/is-stealing-wi-fi-a-crime-the-laws-and-penalties/
https://hamiltonpawprint.com/is-it-illegal-to-use-someones-wi-fi-without-permission-the-legal-consequences-in-san-jose-ca/
-- 
Most people are intuitive so they make guesses without checking them; 
but when they check their intuitive assumptions, they are often wrong.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#190016 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

On 2025-12-01 15:50, Marian wrote:
> Carlos E.R. wrote:
>>>     As to "bandwidth theft": I'm sure his accidental use, doesn't deserve
>>> your harsh condemnation.
>>
>> In my view, using an open WiFi is permitted.
> 
> I agree with both Carlos & Frank since I agree with anyone, no matter who
> they are, if they post a reasonably sensibly logically stated view.
> 
> However... I just looked up US case law on this topic for the first time,
> and while case law may well differ in Frank's & Carlos' location across the
> pond, I'm assuming the OP is in the United States whose law I looked up.
> 
> Below is a copied-and-pasted response from the references...
> 
> In the United States, using a neighbor's open Wi-Fi without permission is
> generally considered unauthorized access under federal and state law. Even
> if the network is unsecured, courts have treated this as potentially
> illegal. Case law and statutes (like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act)
> support that "piggybacking" on someone else's Wi-Fi can be prosecuted,
> though enforcement is rare unless other crimes are involved.
> 
> Federal Law - Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA): The CFAA (18 U.S.C. Sec.
> 1030) makes it a crime to intentionally access a "protected computer"
> without authorization. Courts have interpreted Wi-Fi routers and networks
> as "protected computers." Thus, connecting to a neighbor's Wi-Fi without
> consent can fall under this statute.
> 
> Many states have their own computer crime statutes that prohibit
> unauthorized access to networks. For example, Florida and Michigan have
> prosecuted individuals for unauthorized Wi-Fi use under state computer
> crime laws.

But how do you know it is not authorized?

By default, a phone will connect to an open WiFi without asking. At 
least, it was so several years ago, I don't know currently because the 
configuration is cloned from one phone to the next.

And Windows I think does the same, which is, I understand, what happened 
to the OP.

I take that "looking" inside the network is not legal. But using a WiFi 
that is open? I know some people that intentionally left their WiFi open 
to any one that wanted. That was the view.

But then, USA people are quite paranoid about private property, and can 
shoot an intruder without asking.


(several examples trimmed)


Here, some people were taken to court for "illegally downloading 
movies". In their defence, they said that it was not them, but somebody 
else using their WiFi, and the reverse could not be proven. They kept 
their WiFi open. They won. :-D

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#190029 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

Carlos E.R. wrote:
>> Many states have their own computer crime statutes that prohibit
>> unauthorized access to networks. For example, Florida and Michigan have
>> prosecuted individuals for unauthorized Wi-Fi use under state computer
>> crime laws.
> 
> But how do you know it is not authorized?

Hi Carlos,

I understand your point of view, where I also would have considered an
"open" Wi-Fi (which we must assume the OP is using as he'd need a
passphrase otherwise) to be considered de-facto authorized for use.

Especially if that open Wi-Fi didn't have a subsequent authorization screen
like those I see in my doctor's office or at the local Starbucks or hotel.

Of course, a neighbor's open Wi-Fi access point wouldn't likely have an
authorization screen, but I was surprised when I looked at case law in they
USA (see prior post) that NONE of the references I cited had subsequent
authorization screens, and all were prosecuted by the police successfully.

Having said that, Windows sure does make it easy to accidentally connect to
open Wi-Fi access points, which is why I had suggested the BLOCK command,
which will instantly solve the problem of accidental connection (once the
OP is aware of the access point being accidentally connected to of course).

> By default, a phone will connect to an open WiFi without asking. At 
> least, it was so several years ago, I don't know currently because the 
> configuration is cloned from one phone to the next.
> And Windows I think does the same, which is, I understand, what happened 
> to the OP.

As far as I'm aware, by default, iOS and Android devices do not
automatically connect to random open Wi-Fi networks unless the user has
previously joined them. However, once the user manually connects to an open
access point, the device may attempt to reconnect automatically in the
future. To stop this, we can adjust Wi-Fi settings on both iOS and Android
to disable auto-join or auto-connect for specific open networks. 

Windows also does not automatically connect to unknown open Wi-Fi networks
by default. It only auto-connects to networks we've previously joined if
the 'Connect automatically' option was enabled. To stop this, we can
disable auto-connect for specific networks or delete their saved profiles.

For Windows, I would suggest the BLOCK command that I previously posted.
 netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid="SSID" networktype=infrastructure

> I take that "looking" inside the network is not legal. But using a WiFi 
> that is open? I know some people that intentionally left their WiFi open 
> to any one that wanted. That was the view.

I agree with you, but the law (in they USA) doesn't seem to agree (AFAIK).

Personally, I know a neighbor who advocates everyone having an open Wi-Fi
so that anyone anywhere can have Internet access, but I live in a hilltop
rural area where there is no cable or fiber so we all get our Internet over
the air. 

As a side note, I keep advising that neighbor that someone could do
nefarious things on his IP address but he's not worried about that.

> But then, USA people are quite paranoid about private property, and can 
> shoot an intruder without asking.

In my town, that's never happened to my knowledge, but in a country of 350
million people, murders occur daily, but doorstep murder is rather rare.
 <https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/reports-and-publications/2024-active-shooter-report>

> Here, some people were taken to court for "illegally downloading 
> movies". In their defence, they said that it was not them, but somebody 
> else using their WiFi, and the reverse could not be proven. They kept 
> their WiFi open. They won. :-D

Yes. In the USA, the prosecution must prove YOU did it, as it's not
sufficient that "anyone" could have done it based on our Constitution.

As for movies, they're generally torrented, which is a special legal
situation since US copyright law requires tenets that torrenting avoids.

In fact, we've had this legal-torrenting discussion on the Apple newsgroups
for years (since iOS is so brain dead that it can't torrent even as macOS
can torrent), where there's never been a single successful USA case (see
caveat) where ANYONE in the USA has been found guilty of torrenting
mainstream movies if they decided to fight the case in court.

Plenty of people paid the fees asked of them by the copyright owners'
lawyers, but NOBODY in the USA has ever been convicted of torrenting
mainstream movies in the history of the USA who fought the charges.

Caveat: The Maple Media Porn Cases were an egregious example where the
lawyers themselves were serving the torrents & they were disbarred.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#190030 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

In regard to the original subject ("Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm
using, see what I'm doing?"), I can't speak to what your particular
neighbor could or is doing, but from a theoretical standpoint, the
answer is Yes: some routers have the ability to do selective packet
tracing, allowing forwarding to somewhere else a copy of all packets
to and/or from a particular host, and they can then be recorded.

The packet headers (containing the IP addresses of the hosts you
connect to) will certainly be readable.

If the data portion is encrypted, then, to first order, it won't be
readable (which is why https, TLS, and other encryption is generally
encouraged).

If you're using a VPN, and if your DNS queries use the VPN, so that the
only connections your host makes are to the VPN, the IP addresses in the
packet headers will only be that of the VPN, not the hosts you're
ultimately connecting to, making those IP addresses less informative.

On to the next topic ...

As a small part of an otherwise interesting article,
Marian <marianjones@helpfulpeople.com> wrote:
> In the United States, using a neighbor's open Wi-Fi without permission is 
> generally considered unauthorized access under federal and state law. Even 
> if the network is unsecured, courts have treated this as potentially 
> illegal. Case law and statutes (like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act) 
> support that "piggybacking" on someone else's Wi-Fi can be prosecuted, 
> though enforcement is rare unless other crimes are involved.

[and much more]

It'll be interesting to see if/how that means Amazon Sidewalk design
and devices constitute widespread unauthorized access.

Sidewalk devices use Ring doorbell and Amazon Echo devices as routers
and are allowed to use up to 500MB worth of data from each such router.
The owners of these devices are not allowed to see who their devices
connect to (either direction).  Furthermore, Sidewalk device connections
are enabled and allowed by default ("opt out", not "opt in"), so this
will, in many cases, happen without the Ring/Echo owner's knowledge,
understanding, or explicit consent.

 -WBE

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#190032 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

Winston wrote:
> It'll be interesting to see if/how that means Amazon Sidewalk design
> and devices constitute widespread unauthorized access.
> 
> Sidewalk devices use Ring doorbell and Amazon Echo devices as routers
> and are allowed to use up to 500MB worth of data from each such router.
> The owners of these devices are not allowed to see who their devices
> connect to (either direction).  Furthermore, Sidewalk device connections
> are enabled and allowed by default ("opt out", not "opt in"), so this
> will, in many cases, happen without the Ring/Echo owner's knowledge,
> understanding, or explicit consent.

Hi Winston,
I was unaware of this. I'm on Amazon Vine so I get all sorts of cameras for
free but I noticed all of the cameras on Vine went to the Internet instead
of ONLY to your router or only to the sd card on the camera itself.

While I'm using them, I put them in places that don't show me personally
(e.g., I put them in the driveway instead of pointing at the house), but it
always dismayed me that the signal for these inexpensive cameras went to
the Internet BEFORE it went back to your router and then to your phone.

But I was completely unaware that "some" of these brands allow others to
share up to 500 MB/month of its internet connection with nearby
Sidewalk-enabled devices.

Looking it up, you're 100% correct. Sidewalk is enabled by default on
compatible devices. Owners must manually opt out in settings. Worse, device
owners cannot see which devices are connecting through their Sidewalk
bridge, nor the traffic details.

With Sidewalk, Amazon has pre-authorized this access by design, and the
device owner agreed to Amazon's terms of service when setting up the
device.

The catch is many users may not realize they consented, since it's opt-out. 

I think the situation is similar to the Wi-Fi router access point unique
BSSID & GPS location of your home uploading which is also opt out.

People can't opt out until/unless they know that they can opt out.

Luckily, for Wi-Fi access points, opting out is as easy as not broadcasting
your SSID (which prevents casual upload to the public datbases) or adding
"_nomap" to the end of the SSID (which doesn't prevent upload but
well-behaved database owners "say" they'll scrub those from the database).

I'm still unsure of the status of the Microsoft _optout_ mechanism though.
 <https://superuser.com/questions/1005235/wi-fi-opt-out-microsoft-google>

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#190040 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

On 2025-12-02 18:56, Marian wrote:
> Winston wrote:
>> It'll be interesting to see if/how that means Amazon Sidewalk design
>> and devices constitute widespread unauthorized access.
>>
>> Sidewalk devices use Ring doorbell and Amazon Echo devices as routers
>> and are allowed to use up to 500MB worth of data from each such router.
>> The owners of these devices are not allowed to see who their devices
>> connect to (either direction).  Furthermore, Sidewalk device connections
>> are enabled and allowed by default ("opt out", not "opt in"), so this
>> will, in many cases, happen without the Ring/Echo owner's knowledge,
>> understanding, or explicit consent.
> 
> Hi Winston,
> I was unaware of this. I'm on Amazon Vine so I get all sorts of cameras for
> free but I noticed all of the cameras on Vine went to the Internet instead
> of ONLY to your router or only to the sd card on the camera itself.

Well, it is the only way to do it (commercially), meaning watching the 
camera while not at home.

You could use safe cameras that do not connect to internet on their own, 
but instead need a local server inside the same LAN. And to connect from 
outside you would have to create a setup that includes either an 
external server, or a dyndns address pointing to your home.

Possibly these cameras are more expensive. They do exist, it is what any 
entity in Europe would have to create for security cameras within the 
privacy laws. I don't know how to find them on Amazon, what search text. 
Maybe USB cameras.

And by the way, it would be possibly to do this commercially if IPv6 is 
deployed, without using their external server.


Only to the SD card might be possible if you do not hire their external 
storage and disable mobile phone use. But many cameras do their initial 
configuration via an Android App. If there is registration, bad.

...

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#190065 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

On Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:04:35 -0500, Winston
<wbe@UBEBLOCK.psr.com.invalid> wrote:

>In regard to the original subject ("Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm
>using, see what I'm doing?"), I can't speak to what your particular
>neighbor could or is doing, but from a theoretical standpoint, the
>answer is Yes: some routers have the ability to do selective packet
>tracing, allowing forwarding to somewhere else a copy of all packets
>to and/or from a particular host, and they can then be recorded.
>
>The packet headers (containing the IP addresses of the hosts you
>connect to) will certainly be readable.
>
>If the data portion is encrypted, then, to first order, it won't be
>readable (which is why https, TLS, and other encryption is generally
>encouraged).
>
>If you're using a VPN, and if your DNS queries use the VPN, so that the
>only connections your host makes are to the VPN, the IP addresses in the
>packet headers will only be that of the VPN, not the hosts you're
>ultimately connecting to, making those IP addresses less informative.
>
>On to the next topic ...
>
>As a small part of an otherwise interesting article,
>Marian <marianjones@helpfulpeople.com> wrote:
>> In the United States, using a neighbor's open Wi-Fi without permission is 
>> generally considered unauthorized access under federal and state law. Even 
>> if the network is unsecured, courts have treated this as potentially 
>> illegal. Case law and statutes (like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act) 
>> support that "piggybacking" on someone else's Wi-Fi can be prosecuted, 
>> though enforcement is rare unless other crimes are involved.
>
>[and much more]
>
>It'll be interesting to see if/how that means Amazon Sidewalk design
>and devices constitute widespread unauthorized access.
>
>Sidewalk devices use Ring doorbell and Amazon Echo devices as routers

 A company called "FON" used to have routers that allowed their users
to link through *any* other FON router on the planet so long as that
user allowed the planet to use 25% of his very own home router. 

 The 25% password-free bandwidth was on a separate network from the
user's home network and theoretically the two were total strangers to
each other. 

 You could use 1/4 of my bandwidth while passing through my city if I
FONned-up but you couldn't use my webcam to peek into my bedrooms. 

 I think they've sort of died. I haven't seen a free FON-point for a
couple of years. 

>and are allowed to use up to 500MB worth of data from each such router.

 Technically, FON was unlimited use and unlimited persons could use
each router's loose 25%. You logged into the loose 25% with your FON
userid no matter where you were and it was as though you were at home.
Sort of.  

>The owners of these devices are not allowed to see who their devices
>connect to (either direction).  Furthermore, Sidewalk device connections
>are enabled and allowed by default ("opt out", not "opt in"), so this
>will, in many cases, happen without the Ring/Echo owner's knowledge,
>understanding, or explicit consent.

 So, like FON, you lose some of your bandwidth for the convenience of
the rest of the population. That's sort of neat, if you agree to allow
it and you aren't paranoid enough to suspect the possibility of them
hopping through the Sidewalk net to your home net. 

 Like FON, I suppose that means trusting the manufacturer. :)

                                                             J.  

>
> -WBE

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#189996 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> On 2025-12-01 14:47, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> > wasbit <wasbit@removehotmail.com> wrote:
> >> On 28/11/2025 19:03, Paul wrote:
> >>> On Fri, 11/28/2025 3:47 AM, wasbit wrote:
> > [...]
> >>>> Hmmm! 19 replies & not a mention of bandwidth theft.
> >>>
> >>> It seems to be mostly a tale about semi-broken or half-functional kit.
> >>> Since the OP has his own paid Internet service, there is no
> >>> evidence of "100% leeching" going on, particularly. I bet the
> >>> OP could tighten up his settings a bit.
> >>
> >> The OP knows he has connected to the neighbour's wifi but said nothing
> >> about having permission.
> >> Until clarified it is bandwidth theft.
> > 
> >    micky's *computer* *accidentily* connected to his neighbour's WiFi:
> > 
> > <micky>
> > This morning I rebooted and on its own, it connected to the wifi of a
> > neighbor, but not to my own wifi   Hmmm after 30 minutes of using his,
> > it just switched to my wifi.  But still not to the cable, which I
> > thought would take priority, plusd last night the Troubleshooter said my
> > laptop's wifi was bad too, the one that hasn't worked since February.
> > </micky>
> > 
> >    So *instead of* connecting to his "cable" (wired LAN?) or WiFi, his
> > *computer* (*not* micky) connected to his neighbour's WiFi.
> > 
> >    Could he have disconnected the neighbour's WiFi in those 30 minutes?
> > Yes. Did he know how to do that? I don't know.
> > 
> >    As to "bandwidth theft": I'm sure his accidental use, doesn't deserve
> > your harsh condemnation.
> 
> In my view, using an open WiFi is permitted.

  But there is no information on whether or not micky's neighbour's WiFi
*is* open. Neither is there information on whether or not micky has
permission to use his neighbour's WiFi. But both do apperently not
prevent some (not you) to accuse him of wrongdoing. Sigh! :-(

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#189994 — Re: OT? Can my neiighbor, whose wifi I'm using, see what I'm doing?

Frank Slootweg wrote:
>>>> Hmmm! 19 replies & not a mention of bandwidth theft.
>>> 
>>> It seems to be mostly a tale about semi-broken or half-functional kit.
>>> Since the OP has his own paid Internet service, there is no
>>> evidence of "100% leeching" going on, particularly. I bet the
>>> OP could tighten up his settings a bit.
>>
>> The OP knows he has connected to the neighbour's wifi but said nothing 
>> about having permission.
>> Until clarified it is bandwidth theft.
> 
>   micky's *computer* *accidentily* connected to his neighbour's WiFi:
> 
> <micky>
> This morning I rebooted and on its own, it connected to the wifi of a
> neighbor, but not to my own wifi   Hmmm after 30 minutes of using his,
> it just switched to my wifi.  But still not to the cable, which I
> thought would take priority, plusd last night the Troubleshooter said my
> laptop's wifi was bad too, the one that hasn't worked since February.
> </micky>
> 
>   So *instead of* connecting to his "cable" (wired LAN?) or WiFi, his
> *computer* (*not* micky) connected to his neighbour's WiFi.
> 
>   Could he have disconnected the neighbour's WiFi in those 30 minutes?
> Yes. Did he know how to do that? I don't know.
> 
>   As to "bandwidth theft": I'm sure his accidental use, doesn't deserve
> your harsh condemnation.

I'm surprised nobody but me mentioned the solution to the OP's problem set.

Only the router owner can disable SSID broadcast to make it invisible to all devices.
However, what the OP can do is put an "X" on the SSID icon by blocking connections.

You can't hide your neighbors' AP SSID from showing up, but you can block 
the chance of accidental connection by running the "block" netsh command.
 netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid="NeighborSSID" networktype=infrastructure

I'm surprised I'm the only one on this newsgroup who seems to be aware of 
this feature since it's the best solution possible to the OP's problem set.
 @echo off
 netsh wlan show filters
 echo Blocking unwanted Wi-Fi networks...
 REM Replace these with the SSIDs you want to hide
 netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid="NeighborSSID1" networktype=infrastructure
 netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid="NeighborSSID2" networktype=infrastructure
 netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid="NeighborSSID3" networktype=infrastructure
 echo Done! The specified SSIDs are now blocked.
 netsh wlan show filters
 pause

I wish there was a way to hide from view your neighbors' AP's altogether.

What I do, for privacy (not for security), is I hide the broadcast of my home SSIDs.
That way, they're not uploaded to public servers by every mobile device passing by.

In addition, by hiding my SSID broadcast, my neighbors won't passively see them.

REFERENCES:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1329103/block-and-hide-wifi-network
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3562-add-remove-wireless-network-filter-windows-10-a.html
https://www.techbout.com/hide-block-wifi-networks-in-windows-10-38797/
https://www.howtogeek.com/331816/how-to-block-your-neighbors-wi-fi-network-from-appearing-on-windows/
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/allow-or-block-wifi-network-in-windows
-- 
The solution to every problem is easy when you're intelligent enough to seek the answer.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

Page 3 of 5 — ← Prev page 1 2 [3] 4 5  Next page →

Back to top | Article view | alt.comp.os.windows-10

csiph-web