Wireless Question

I just got a new laptop that has a wireless modem in it. I've never really used wireless but noticed that it was able to find some open wireless routers right after booting up.

I was able to connect and surf the Net with it, but disconnected and put in my wire and decided to stick with that. I was just wondering if I do connect to someone else's wireless router, is there anything I can do to prevent them from poking around on my system?

 

LOL, it is OK with you to intrude onto someone else as long as they do not intrude onto you.

 

Wep:

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/WEP.html

Wpa:

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/WPA.html

You want to setup one of them, preferably wpa.

You will also want firewalls.

What kind of router, wireless nics and OS are you using?

As a side note, don't go poking around on someone elses network, I'm pretty sure thats illegal, wide open or not. If you get hacked connected to someone else's network without permission, you deserve it.

 

enable MAC filtering

 

I think in answer to your question there probably isn't much you can do from a legal perspective.
You are logging onto their network, and I don't believe there is any sort of requirement for someone to protect their network, its just in their best interests to do so... Also if you were hacked what sort of defense would you have?

Aside from a firewall there is nothing stopping someone trying to intrude into your machine if you hop onto their network...

I think you can probably assume that an unprotected wi-fi access point is just someone jumping on the technology bandwagon and not looking after themselves - how many people do we all know who don't use spyware detection tools/anti-virus protection/firewalls even now?

If you like the idea of wi-fi investigate what the previous posters have put out for you - and don't forget to protect your network...