How do you know if a network is public?

rainbowatdawn · 01-26-2005

Hello,

I am new to WiFi, I live in Austin TX where there are a lot of Cloud networks that are free to all. I have a wireless card, it is showing 2 networks in range from my apartment. One of these is a neighbors DSL network which shows the security key icon. The other just says Wireless for the SSID and automatically connects to the internet. I am wondering how do I know if this is a public access point? How do I find out who the owner of this SSID is? I DO NOT want to steal internet access, I am honestly not sure how I am to know if this is a public node or not. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Barry · 01-26-2005

Ususlly public access points have signs and stuff. Walk around the block, they are usually at buisnesses and what not.

rainbowatdawn · 01-27-2005

Hello,

Thank you for the response, I have found the node I must be connecting through. I found a site that shows all the nodes that offer free wifi in Austin area. I located 3 nodes within a mile of my house. I am lucky to live in Austin where a local group is actively making wireless internet access free.

Monitr7 · 01-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry

Ususlly public access points have signs and stuff. Walk around the block, they are usually at buisnesses and what not.

Darn it, Barry; it's pronounced, "n' stuff". n' stuff.

sparafina · 01-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainbowatdawn

Hello,

I am new to WiFi, I live in Austin TX where there are a lot of Cloud networks that are free to all. I have a wireless card, it is showing 2 networks in range from my apartment. One of these is a neighbors DSL network which shows the security key icon. The other just says Wireless for the SSID and automatically connects to the internet. I am wondering how do I know if this is a public access point? How do I find out who the owner of this SSID is? I DO NOT want to steal internet access, I am honestly not sure how I am to know if this is a public node or not. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Most public networks require that you go through a front page. This is true of many of the Cloud networks in Austin. For example, Ruta Maya on South Congress will present you with a sign up page and give you an account and a cookie. If you connect, open a browser, and there is no sign-in page, then you may be connecting to a private AP.

rjdenver · 01-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainbowatdawn

Hello,

I am new to WiFi, I live in Austin TX where there are a lot of Cloud networks that are free to all. I have a wireless card, it is showing 2 networks in range from my apartment. One of these is a neighbors DSL network which shows the security key icon. The other just says Wireless for the SSID and automatically connects to the internet. I am wondering how do I know if this is a public access point? How do I find out who the owner of this SSID is? I DO NOT want to steal internet access, I am honestly not sure how I am to know if this is a public node or not. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Best to assume it is not public, until you can find a way to prove it is. As one poster said, some of these have some kind of home page that pops up on your browser: unfortunately, you have to be connected first before you see that, which is not good if it's not public. Often the SSID of the access point gives you at least a hint of where you might go to check if it is open to the public. The Apple store AP near me, for instance, even though it has no intro or sign up or anything, is clearly visible from the parking lot, and the SSID is something like APPLE (Don't remember, but something like that). So even though I might not know the AP is public, I know where to ask.

RjDenver

Barry · 01-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monitr7

Darn it, Barry; it's pronounced, "n' stuff". n' stuff.

crap. (hangs head in shame)

rainbowatdawn · 01-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparafina

Most public networks require that you go through a front page. This is true of many of the Cloud networks in Austin. For example, Ruta Maya on South Congress will present you with a sign up page and give you an account and a cookie. If you connect, open a browser, and there is no sign-in page, then you may be connecting to a private AP.

Thank you, that is very useful information. I knew that some free AP's had a sign up page. I did not know that it was common with Cloud networks to have a sign up page. I will not use the AP I found until I am certain it is public. I have been reading this forum and have gained a wealth of information. I hope I will eventually be able to contribute useful information as well.

01-26-2005	#1 (permalink)
rainbowatdawn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3	How do you know if a network is public? Hello, I am new to WiFi, I live in Austin TX where there are a lot of Cloud networks that are free to all. I have a wireless card, it is showing 2 networks in range from my apartment. One of these is a neighbors DSL network which shows the security key icon. The other just says Wireless for the SSID and automatically connects to the internet. I am wondering how do I know if this is a public access point? How do I find out who the owner of this SSID is? I DO NOT want to steal internet access, I am honestly not sure how I am to know if this is a public node or not. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

01-26-2005	#2 (permalink)
Barry Managing the iTards. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,383	Ususlly public access points have signs and stuff. Walk around the block, they are usually at buisnesses and what not. __________________ Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

01-27-2005	#3 (permalink)
rainbowatdawn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3	Figured it out, thanks Hello, Thank you for the response, I have found the node I must be connecting through. I found a site that shows all the nodes that offer free wifi in Austin area. I located 3 nodes within a mile of my house. I am lucky to live in Austin where a local group is actively making wireless internet access free.

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