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Stupid wireless networks...

M

Messy

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 5, 2010
426
13
So one of my neighbours insists on having an unsecured network. Its really annoying, they have got the default Username and Password set for the router too.

Annoyingly depending on where in the house i am, every so often the MacBook decides to connect to their internet instead of mine (SKYNET).

So, i logged onto their router, and changed the name of it.

Im going to change the name of it every few hours to see if they get the message.

Good idea, or am i a bad person?

Im quite happy to take suggestions on what to call their network. Ive just changed it, so it'll stay like that for a few hours.
 
Ass thing to do and more trouble than it is worth. A much easier solution is go in to YOUR wireless network setting on you computer and change the order of preferred networks. Takes his network and move it to the bottom and you network and move it to the top.

You are complaining because you screwed up your wireless setting on your computer.
 
Rodimus Prime said:
Ass thing to do and more trouble than it is worth. A much easier solution is go in to YOUR wireless network setting on you computer and change the order of preferred networks. Takes his network and move it to the bottom and you network and move it to the top.

You are complaining because you screwed up your wireless setting on your computer.
Click to expand...

As a Mac owner of two weeks i'd love to know how to do this :)

edit: yay, did it thanks :)


And i think for the purpose of comedy, and being a Sunday i'll continue to rename the network.
 
Messy said:
As a Mac owner of two weeks i'd love to know how to do this :)

edit: yay, did it thanks :)


And i think for the purpose of comedy, and being a Sunday i'll continue to rename the network.
Click to expand...

From experience people who have open networks with default passwords will never change it. I push some people pretty far in collage over the course if a year. Started with me changing the network name recommending some security and I went as far as locking them complete out router to include the computer hard wired in. Router was reset and left it open. I gave up.

Other times at another location I used the open router to change some setting in it for my befit so I could play a game online.

Either way matter what you do they will not change it. All you will do is Pisa the off.
 
Messy said:
And i think for the purpose of comedy, and being a Sunday i'll continue to rename the network.
Click to expand...

You could always find which neighbor the router belongs too and share some of your new found knowledge. Remember...sharing is caring. :D
 
nobunaga209 said:
You could always find which neighbor the router belongs too and share some of your new found knowledge. Remember...sharing is caring. :D
Click to expand...

Im not knocking on everyones front door and asking them if they have an unsecured network. lol
 
I am not familiar with laws that cover this area but intentionally logging on to
Someones network with the intent of changing it could be considered petty theft
 
If they have a networked printer, you should type up a "how-to" document on how they can secure their network and print it out. Maybe that will give them a hint.
 
brunetmj said:
I am not familiar with laws that cover this area but intentionally logging on to
Someones network with the intent of changing it could be considered petty theft
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with the laws either, but doesn't leaving the network unsecured make it a public network? Which can legally be accessed by anyone?

After all, if your neighbor uses your network to download child porn, the FBI will knock to your door, not his.
 
lewis82 said:
I'm not familiar with the laws either, but doesn't leaving the network unsecured make it a public network? Which can legally be accessed by anyone?

After all, if your neighbor uses your network to download child porn, the FBI will knock to your door, not his.
Click to expand...

It more likely closer to you leaving the keys in an unlocked car. It does not mean any one has the right to just drive the car.

Or leaving the door to your house open and unlock. People do not have the right to just walk in with out permission.
 
brunetmj said:
I am not familiar with laws that cover this area but intentionally logging on to
Someones network with the intent of changing it could be considered petty theft
Click to expand...

#1 - You honestly think the cops will get involved over something like this? Glad I don't live in your neck of the woods.
#2 - If they are dumb enough to have an open connection, I doubt they are smart enough to figure out who changed the name.

Just sayin'.
 
It's common curtesy not mess with people's WI-Fi.

It only gets unlawful or you can call the cops when someone is hacking into your network and using it for unlawful purposes. (like torrenting and the ISP blames you)
 
Rodimus Prime said:
From experience people who have open networks with default passwords will never change it. I push some people pretty far in collage over the course if a year. Started with me changing the network name recommending some security and I went as far as locking them complete out router to include the computer hard wired in. Router was reset and left it open. I gave up.
Click to expand...

It's quite possible that they have no idea what happened. All they know is that their computer no longer connects to the network. They call tech support and say "I used to connect to my network, but now I can't. Help!" The first thing they'll say is "reset your router"...

Rodimus Prime said:
All you will do is Pisa the off.
Click to expand...

Typing on an iPhone? ;)
 
I once changed my neighbors to you got hacked and then they called me up and asked me to help them, I am the tech dude in my neighbor hood lol
 
Rodimus Prime said:
Ass thing to do and more trouble than it is worth. A much easier solution is go in to YOUR wireless network setting on you computer and change the order of preferred networks. Takes his network and move it to the bottom and you network and move it to the top.

You are complaining because you screwed up your wireless setting on your computer.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Fix your settings and leave their wireless alone.
 
It only gets unlawful or you can call the cops when someone is hacking into your network and using it for unlawful purposes. (like torrenting and the ISP blames you)
Click to expand...
The fact is the author of this post claims the unsecured network annoyed him so he changed the name. From the view point of the owner of that network he may have used this network illegally.
How could he prove otherwise?
I know the odds of getting caught are slim to none.
I really do think the author should think things through before sabotaging things that annoy him.
I assume he posted here for feedback. Mine is these actions are wrong. I'll say no more.
 
djellison said:
well - you're breaking the law.

Have you considered...oh I don't know SPEAKING TO THEM ABOUT IT.

Seriously.
Click to expand...

Haha theres always one who gets all 'serious business'.

You're in the US, im in the UK, changing the name of someones network is not Illegal. If it is in the US i'd love to see that on my TV cop show some time.

'Put your hands in the air'
'What did i do man?!'
'You changed some guys wireless SSID to the word PENIS'
'lolwhat'
'You have the right to remain...'

Seriously, take a step back from yourself for a second.

Update:

So they've reset the router, and its gone back to its old name, still unsecured, still with the default username and password to log onto the router.

I love the printer idea, i'll check it out. :)
 
Messy said:
Haha theres always one who gets all 'serious business'.

You're in the US, im in the UK, changing the name of someones network is not Illegal. If it is in the US i'd love to see that on my TV cop show some time.

'Put your hands in the air'
'What did i do man?!'
'You changed some guys wireless SSID to the word PENIS'
'lolwhat'
'You have the right to remain...'

Seriously, take a step back from yourself for a second.

Update:

So they've reset the router, and its gone back to its old name, still unsecured, still with the default username and password to log onto the router.

I love the printer idea, i'll check it out. :)
Click to expand...

Chances are the laws on it are the same.
Now would they really do anything no not really.
 
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