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Preventing automatic access to specific WiFi networksI have a fairly standard Toshiba laptop with an internal wi-fi- network card, and Windows XP Pro + SP2 with all the latest updates and patches. I also have a fairly standard NetGear WG602v2 54Mbps wireless router with WPA-PSK enabled. Under normal circumstances, the laptop finds my wi-fi network straightaway and connects automatically. However, occasionally it doesn't, and connects to my neighbour's totally unsecured network instead. Why they will not secure their network is beyond me, but that's another story... So, is there any way I can tell WinXP *not* to connect to a specific network even though it has detected it? I've done a quick trawl through Google, but have drawn a blank. I wouldn't mind paying for a resonably-priced 3rd-party utility, if necessary. Any assistance gratefully received. Mark Mark Rae wrote:
Show quoteHide quote > Hi, I don't think you can tell it to not connect to a specific network but you> > I have a fairly standard Toshiba laptop with an internal wi-fi- network > card, and Windows XP Pro + SP2 with all the latest updates and patches. > > I also have a fairly standard NetGear WG602v2 54Mbps wireless router with > WPA-PSK enabled. > > Under normal circumstances, the laptop finds my wi-fi network straightaway > and connects automatically. > > However, occasionally it doesn't, and connects to my neighbour's totally > unsecured network instead. Why they will not secure their network is > beyond me, but that's another story... > > So, is there any way I can tell WinXP *not* to connect to a specific > network even though it has detected it? can tell it to only connect to preferred networks. Then when you are home it will only connect to yours. When you are out of town or at an Internet cafe, you'd need to add their network to the list of preferred networks and then remove it afterwards (if you'll never go there again). Malke "Malke" <notrea***@invalid.com> wrote in message OK - I'll do a search for how to do that...news:OLy00QnpGHA.4236@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > I don't think you can tell it to not connect to a specific network but you > can tell it to only connect to preferred networks. Then when you are home > it will only connect to yours. > When you are out of town or at an Internet cafe, you'd need to add their I understand - thanks.> network to the list of preferred networks and then remove it afterwards > (if > you'll never go there again). Mark Rae wrote:
Show quoteHide quote > "Malke" <notrea***@invalid.com> wrote in message Let me emphasize the advice in Malke's last paragraph. Assuming that > news:OLy00QnpGHA.4236@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > >> I don't think you can tell it to not connect to a specific network but you >> can tell it to only connect to preferred networks. Then when you are home >> it will only connect to yours. > > OK - I'll do a search for how to do that... > >> When you are out of town or at an Internet cafe, you'd need to add their >> network to the list of preferred networks and then remove it afterwards >> (if >> you'll never go there again). > > I understand - thanks. > > you are using Windows wireless zero configuration, when you "check for available wireless networks" and then select an available network to connect to, Windows _automatically_ adds that network to your list of preferred networks, and places it at the top of the list. This means that if, for example, you connect to a network with a common default SSID (e.g., Linksys), you will subsequently preferentially connect to _any_ network with that SSID unless you manually remove it from the list or at least move it lower down. "Lem" <lem***@hotmail.com> wrote in message Thanks for that.news:u7ODcVppGHA.4268@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > Let me emphasize the advice in Malke's last paragraph. Assuming that you > are using Windows wireless zero configuration, when you "check for > available wireless networks" and then select an available network to > connect to, Windows _automatically_ adds that network to your list of > preferred networks, and places it at the top of the list. This means that > if, for example, you connect to a network with a common default SSID > (e.g., Linksys), you will subsequently preferentially connect to _any_ > network with that SSID unless you manually remove it from the list or at > least move it lower down.
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"Mark Rae" <mark@markNOSPAMrae.com> wrote in message In one way, yes. You can edit the properties for your neighbour's SSID on news:OYRJDHlpGHA.3324@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > Hi, > > I have a fairly standard Toshiba laptop with an internal wi-fi- network > card, and Windows XP Pro + SP2 with all the latest updates and patches. > > I also have a fairly standard NetGear WG602v2 54Mbps wireless router with > WPA-PSK enabled. > > Under normal circumstances, the laptop finds my wi-fi network straightaway > and connects automatically. > > However, occasionally it doesn't, and connects to my neighbour's totally > unsecured network instead. Why they will not secure their network is > beyond me, but that's another story... > > So, is there any way I can tell WinXP *not* to connect to a specific > network even though it has detected it? > your NIC and add a password. When it attempts to connect, it wont make it. That doesn't mean it will automatically connect to your own but it DOES mean it will stop connecting to the neighbour's network. If you are friendly enough with the neighbour, mention to them that with an unsecured wi-fi network, the nicest thing that can happen if someone chooses is to steal their bandwidth. It can get a whole lot worse such and I think you KNOW the disgusting stuff that THE Feds will point the finger at THEM for if they get used for that purpose. "Diamontina Cocktail" <l**@australia.com> wrote in message OK - I'll do a search for how to do that - thanks.news:e8fK0unpGHA.4408@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > In one way, yes. You can edit the properties for your neighbour's SSID on > your NIC and add a password. When it attempts to connect, it wont make it. > That doesn't mean it will automatically connect to your own but it DOES > mean it will stop connecting to the neighbour's network. > If you are friendly enough with the neighbour, mention to them that with Have tried, but they seem not interested. This is, in fact, one of the main > an unsecured wi-fi network, the nicest thing that can happen if someone > chooses is to steal their bandwidth. It can get a whole lot worse such and > I think you KNOW the disgusting stuff that THE Feds will point the finger > at THEM for if they get used for that purpose. reasons for what I'm trying to do. If they do get hacked (and they're almost bound to, sooner or later!), the last think I want is the police finding log entries with my laptop's MAC address... "Mark Rae" <mark@markNOSPAMrae.com> wrote in message It depends on which configuration prog you use, Windows or the NIC's one news:erQmMVopGHA.2452@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > "Diamontina Cocktail" <l**@australia.com> wrote in message > news:e8fK0unpGHA.4408@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > >> In one way, yes. You can edit the properties for your neighbour's SSID on >> your NIC and add a password. When it attempts to connect, it wont make >> it. That doesn't mean it will automatically connect to your own but it >> DOES mean it will stop connecting to the neighbour's network. > > OK - I'll do a search for how to do that - thanks. > from the manufacturer. If Windows, simply go to Network Connections, right click on your NIC and choose Properties then go to Wireless Networks tab where you will see, in front of you, your own SSID and your neighbour's and any other your NIC can see. Clcik once on the neighbour's SSID then Properties and you have the opportunity to change from an open network to, say, a WEP using network (which is all you need). Add any old password there and then OK your way out and it will remember that from then on. >> If you are friendly enough with the neighbour, mention to them that with They are also open to someone just ruining everything for them by putting a >> an unsecured wi-fi network, the nicest thing that can happen if someone >> chooses is to steal their bandwidth. It can get a whole lot worse such >> and I think you KNOW the disgusting stuff that THE Feds will point the >> finger at THEM for if they get used for that purpose. > > Have tried, but they seem not interested. This is, in fact, one of the > main reasons for what I'm trying to do. If they do get hacked (and they're > almost bound to, sooner or later!), the last think I want is the police > finding log entries with my laptop's MAC address... > trojan/virus on their machinery and/or changing their router's details so no-one but the hacker can get on. If that happens, that will change their minds for them. "Diamontina Cocktail" <l**@australia.com> wrote in message <snip>news:%23vjFZhspGHA.1140@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > It depends Thanks again. Hi
Many Toshibas (and others) load an handful of Junk and sometimes their own Wireless Utility and WZC at Startup. Check you system to make sure that you are running one or the other but not both. Look at this page it might help further, http://www.ezlan.net/wireless.html Jack (MVP-Networking). Show quoteHide quote "Mark Rae" <mark@markNOSPAMrae.com> wrote in message news:OYRJDHlpGHA.3324@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > Hi, > > I have a fairly standard Toshiba laptop with an internal wi-fi- network > card, and Windows XP Pro + SP2 with all the latest updates and patches. > > I also have a fairly standard NetGear WG602v2 54Mbps wireless router with > WPA-PSK enabled. > > Under normal circumstances, the laptop finds my wi-fi network straightaway > and connects automatically. > > However, occasionally it doesn't, and connects to my neighbour's totally > unsecured network instead. Why they will not secure their network is > beyond me, but that's another story... > > So, is there any way I can tell WinXP *not* to connect to a specific > network even though it has detected it? > > I've done a quick trawl through Google, but have drawn a blank. I wouldn't > mind paying for a resonably-priced 3rd-party utility, if necessary. > > Any assistance gratefully received. > > Mark > "Jack (MVP-Networking)." <Jack@Discussion.Group> wrote in message That's interesting to know - I'll certainly check that.news:OmhmofupGHA.3288@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > Many Toshibas (and others) load an handful of Junk and sometimes their own > Wireless Utility and WZC at Startup. > Check you system to make sure that you are running one or the other but > not both. Can't find that particular page, but the site itself looks very useful - thanks again. 
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