Damn the Dirty Wireless Internet (and my phanetic spelling)

[AgentGraves!]

Okay - Look, I am spankin' new to this whole Wireless internet Jabberwalky stuff..so heres the skinny, and by givin' you fine folks the skinny, I hope that someone can point me in the right direction for help and a remedy to my ailments...

The ORIGINS: I JUST moved into a new place, the place had basic Cable Internet, which I am fond and familiar with. Once I unpacked and started to get settled the Landlord announced that he was changing over to Wireless Internet. Thus he acquired a router and such to make such a change over a success. I then had to go forth and procure my self a Wireless USB Network Adapter so that I can attach my Desktop to the network he's set up.

The ISSUES: So once I got my self the Wireless USB Network Adapter, I found that I am constantly searching for a signal as if I was searching for some basic cable channels using Rabbit Ear Antennas. - Can this be fixed, and why is this happening? - {Back story} I was told that within the house that I am in that the best Wireless Network Adapter would be a standard G..thus I shelled out for it {End of Back story}

Appendix A) Now A cons urn - I was told that having a Wireless set up enables ANYBODY to browse YOUR computer, the files contained on it and anything else there little hearts desires - Is this true?
Appendix B) I was also told that ANYBODY can also view the very websites that you are viewing as well as your internet history and anything else concerning what YOU do on YOUR own computer - download history, internet history and even look at what you've searched for on the internet - Is this true?
Appendix C) If these Appendix's surface to be true is there anything I can do to prevent such things for occurring?

The WANTS: I really just want to be able to surf the net just as I did two weeks ago - where I wasn't constantly searching for a signal like I am flicking the radio dial - I understand that it's wireless and there for this is a noted caution with using said system, but I have been a witness to others enjoying a good solid connection while using a standard G USB adapter.
I would also like to visit particular sites and such with out anyone else in the house pearing over my shoulder and looking at my history and the like, As I would also like to know that what I have on my computer stays WITH ME and ONLY ME unless I deem it fit to share with anyone else.


Now - I ask - I hope you where able to sift by and stomach my horrible spelling and grammatical issues, for I am a Phonetic spelliest, Speller (?) anyways, I hope that some one out there can help a fellow Hyper


Yours Truly,
A.GRAVES>

 

[Alistair]

Greetings,

Heya, just a quick question that would help me out a little bit in settin' ya up, XP, or Vista? Also, is this a shared computer?

Here is a little info as well:

Yes, people can see your "Shared" stuff if you shares set up, or your share folders. So, in that sense if you have nothing of importance then I wouldn't worry to much if they aren't in your shared folder. Ideally, I would suggest havin' a password account, but I'm sure you already do.

Also, people can browse your "history" or the alike through the router, but only if that information to them, or other words, able to access it with a name and password, but I doubt it would like that for anyone can screw anyone, but I'm sure only your land lord has access to that.

In general, I doubt you have anything worry about unless you frequent risky sites anyway that have malware, or programs of certain origin.

I hope that helps out a little,
Alistair

 

[AgentGraves!]

Ah I am running XP

when you say a password account are you referring to my computer her self having a password in order to get into it?

and as for the Internet history, that only the Router Owner would have, they can only view the dot com part correct not the site it's self to view oh, lets say passwords and such like that?

I don't visit sites of a shady demeanor, no. I just visit on line stuff, like banking and half dot com where I would rather all my banking info be kept in tact, you know what i mean?

I was just wondering what sort of reach his had has to what I view and visit on the internet.

 

[Alistair]

Graves.

About the password, yes. I meant the built in account on login.

Is this just you and your landlord, or will there be other people that can access it? He can view "Ip" of sites that you guys frequent, or other people, but it only goes so far, even if he has "Logs" enable. Granted, I doubt he is that tech savvy, or doesn't really care. It's usually used to diagnose issues on a network, or sites that caused a network harm. Also, it won't save passwords, that's all on your end of the connection.

All right. Here we go, some of the techy savvy stuff, or questions.

1) Is your wireless encrypted? That's the first most important thing that you should have, so you it's safer. I know XP only does WEP, and a few others, but I'm not sure of SP3 (I use Vista x64 now. Hehe)

This is important if your do online banking, or a lot of transactions online, and I'm sure this is the part where people suggest they can "Snoop" if it's not encrypted.

2) Do you know what type of router it is?

3) Do you use XP firewall, or another softwall?

Tootles,
Ali

 

[AgentGraves!]

I don't believe that it's encrypted...in fact when I look at the info on it is says that it isn't.

I haven't a clue what sort of router it is...I just know that it's on the other side of the house.

I think I am using the XP Firewall, my computer savvy pal had set up all of my defenses the last time my computer decided to survey me a system32 error. so I run on Spybot Search and Destroy and on Avast!


also would you know of a way that I can enjoy this high speed wireless internet with out haveing to move around the USB cable cord like it's antennas?

 

[Malice]

your wireless service is not very good most likely if you are having to "move your USB wireless card" like its a TV antennae

 

[AgentGraves!]

DAMN DIRTY WIRELESS!!!!


so next to running downstairs and into the landlords pad and swapping out the routers to allow everyone the best possible service there is nothing I can do?

 

[Alistair]

Graves,

Sorry for the late response, I got called up this morning help a friend move....

Yep. That's about it unless you get a booster of some sort, but that means extra cash. Or the other option is move your computer to where you can get a better connection for wireless is all dependent on how many things it's going through, and the density of the materials it's passing.

The other option is have him move the router, so you can have better connectivity. It shouldn't be to bad if he is using a wireless card as well. Be a pain if he is still directly connected to it via Cat5.

If it's a linksys I would recommend DD-WRT solution for it does boost connectivity and range a little bit, but not that much.

Also, this can be a far fetched idea, but do you use a cell phone, or microwave, along with your landlord? It could be on the same channel and interfering with the "Waves."

Wirelesss is messy to set up, but once you have it...it's bliss, IMO.

Tootles,
Ali