how to: see if a wireless network is password-protected?

coconut wifi tells you

http://www.coconut-flavour.com/coconutwifi/index.html



OS X probably does too but I'm pushing coconuts here.

 

If it's password protected then it will ask you for a password. If you are getting the "Error occurred while trying to connect" then something else is just not working.

There's another way to scan wireless networks in Terminal, but its a bit more complicated.

 

You could download istumbler and use that. But Tiger does not have that ability for the wifi menubar utility, although Leopard does, but that doesn't help you right now.

 

I'd say that you are probably right at the edge of the wifi network where you still getna signal but you can only connect inconsistently.

 

airport should show bars, indicating how strong the wifi signal is.
even still, i know i've had cases where it looks strong but then kicks you off anyways.... nothing to be done about that!

 

http://osxdaily.com/2007/01/18/airport-the-little-known-command-line-wireless-utility/

Here, this is a built-in function that allows you to see what wireless networks are around you. Its very useful and easy to use.