[thelist] Networking: WIFI: Is this MY connection?

John List johnlist at gulfbridge.net
Thu Sep 23 20:07:18 CDT 2010


Have you tried turning off your wireless router and then checking to see 
if your Mac still detects the network?

On 09/11/2010 03:42 PM, Frank Marion wrote:
> I'm a just-get-by networking guy. I can set up my networks and have 
> the relatively secure, but I'm not a top-notch expert, so I need a bit 
> of advice.
>
> When I bought a laptop, I messed around with my settings before I 
> struck on a solution that worked. Originally, I had created a network 
> between my wireless Mac and my ethernet PC called "HOME", both plugged 
> into my wireless router, but finally got "HOME NETWORK" working. Now, 
> sometime later, as I detect the local WIFI connections using Stumbler 
> (a Mac solution) I see a network called "HOME", which in a 
> predominantly French area, would be like seeing a connection called 
> "Chez Nous" in the US, it's an anomaly.
>
> I'm concerned that somehow, despite my inability to find a reference 
> to HOME on either of my machines or my router settings, that somehow I 
> might have left a network open for anyone to use--specifically that 
> weirdo downstairs who has a USB wire with a WIFI key dangling out of 
> his front window.
>
> I'm *relatively* confident that my network is secure, but that HOME 
> thing give me pause, and I'd like to shut down any potential trouble 
> spots.
>
> Can someone recommend a means by which I can positively ascertain that 
> I have or do not have such a network running?
>
> Some facts:
>
> * I DO have MAC filtering on, denying all MAC addresses but those that 
> I specifically permit.
>
> * My router shows that only one wireless connection is CURRENTLY 
> logged on, and it matches my MAC address.
>
> * I do use a WPA2 encryption scheme, with really bad-ass pass-phrases.
>
> * My NAT filtering is address restricted.
>
> * I have no DMZ
>
> * UPnP is off.
>
> * All WAN pings are off.
>
> * ShieldsUp (grc.com) shows that I'm totally stealthed on ports 
> 0-1055, but that's not my WIFI connection,it's my router.
>
> * I can only access my router locally (no remote admin), and I have a 
> solid pass-phrase.
>
> * To the best of my knowledge, no one has physical access to my machines.
>
> Is it possible to run more than one WIFI networks simultaneously? Can 
> my Mac serve as a network point directly? Or is my router my only 
> concern?
>
> Thanks for your thoughts, keep them in relatively simple English when 
> using networking speak, please :)
>
>
>
> -- 
> Frank Marion
> lists [_at_] frankmarion.com
>
>
>
>
>



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