Wireless Internet connection basic help requested

Hi,

Hope this is the correct forum for this subject, it's networking of a sorts.

I'm way out of my league here, so looking for some basic inputs to get started. Plus some guidance on safety and 'ethical' procedures.

Arena is broadband Internet connection via wireless (same as WiFi?).

Problem is I'm still on dialup, so have precious little experience with Broadband let alone wireless connections.

Bit of long intro. If you want to skip the background, just jump to my questions below the ******* further below.

A friend, who is still learning computer use, acquired a very nice fairly recent laptop. (Actually, the lucky stiff found it in a dumpster; case, adapter and all! It wouldn't even power up tho. He played around and found its power connector very erratic. Short story, he fixed it. Apparently for this class of Toshiba Satellite (A75, maybe others) this is a chronic problem -- bad power pin and solder joint. I got a lot of info off the Internet for him; disassembly details and writeups on the problem.)

He brought it to my place yesterday, for some help on use. Unfortunately (for me anyway) it runs XP Home. So, I'm starting off with a 'deficiency'.

We were just banging around and, all the sudden, we were connected to the Internet!

Oh, we had the 'wifi' switch turned on, so I guess it was 'available'. I don't know who has broadband in our area. We live in a condo complex, multiple 4-8 unit buildings, but I know quite a few neighbors who would not have such access. I do know the gal downstairs got Comcast TV and cable recently when she moved in. I got a clue when I saw the connection rate was 54Mbs -- that has to be cable, in our area (that's when I recalled the gal downstairs had Comcast).

The connection details said the signal was very low tho. But it seemed to work solidly.

Friend left laptop with me for few days, so I could play with it. Goody. (Except I may get spoiled.)

******
Finally, some key questions.

How could we have connected so easily? Later I did find out that his system 'saw' two networks here around/available. One asked for a password, one did not -- it just connected (showed a notice that 'network enabled'?). I swear, later, we saw a valid connection to the name that formerly req'd a password -- but I'm not sure.

What does it take for the 'host' to be 'able to be connected to'? Poor English, but.....

Can a wireless laptop connect to a cable modem when its host computer is not on?

I'd think the 'host' computer would have to be turned on, with its wireless enabled somehow. But, I wonder. I got up at 3am this morning to test, and I could connect very well and quickly. I doubt if anyone would be on at that time, but.....And, I really doubt that the gal downstairs even has/uses wireless capability (maybe has it, but doesn't even know it?) So, it could be some other nearby 'host'. I didn't stay on very long for obvious reasons. (Meaning, friend has no virus or spyware protection. And I had to use IE for now. Plus, not sure of ethics and whether our system could be detected by host.)

This latter statement introduces another basic question. Can we be detected, and/or is friend's system in danger of intrusion?

I would not, of course, use this type of connection for long periods but would like to play around and learn a little. If I find out the owner of the Internet connection/host system, I'll like to inform them. And, of course, I'd like to know how my friend can protect his system. At his house, he has no Internet capability at all (right now, but he's getting somewhat interested). However, at home, he did notice a system named 'John' -- which I think is his next door neighbor. That's as far as he knew how to go.

We both have one of these little 'wifi detectors'. Neither one detected any 'local' signal at all. BUT, strong signal soon as the laptop was connected to the 'host internet' system. Seems odd. I've never seen any wifi detected around my condo, but have when out and around (local stores, Microcenter), so the detector works on some signals.

This is long enough already, but it's a good start in my quest for understanding. I'll also do some research on my own today.

I don't expect a detailed tutorial here (but would certainly appreciate any references to such). Just a few comments would help immensely.

Thanks a bunch.

Bill

 

Thanks, TimW, for the succinct comments. Very helpful, too.

>> Should you go around knocking on doors and asking "Who's the idiot with an unsecure network?" ....up to you. <<

I've gotten quite a variety of answers for this one (other forums, tech guy at local computer store etc).

Some say it's illegal (at least in Florida -- where I'm not). Some say not illegal, but 'unethical', or 'not nice', or whatever.

I'll go with your answer 'up to you (me)'.

Bill