I'm probably one of many who have never had a co

[Benchobi]

I'm probably one of many who have never had a computer with wireless networking before now. I hate to admit to being such a newbie but I'm not afraid to ask dumb questions.:D

Today at work my wireless light started showing activity and I heard one of those WinXP notification sounds. The LCD had turned itself off from computer inactivity (the wireless light was still on). We don't have wireless at work so I can only figure that one of our neighbors has a wireless network and my computer found it.

In trying to wake the computer up I triggered a shutdown and it said there were other users logged into the computer and shutting down could cause them to lose data. I shut down anyway of course!

Anyway, I run a software firewall and maintain good computer security (no shared drives, password access, etc), but this wireless thing is a little new.

What other precautions are good to prevent my computer from showing up on someone else's wireless network? If it does show up on their network what's the best way to prevent them from surfing my drive.

I hope the "other users" windows was complaining about was actually just the wireless router (or whatever was out there) talking to my computer.

TIA to the network gurus for any insight they can offer.

[digitaldoc]

I had a similar occurrence at work. I use dual access points, one at work and one at home. I have an Orinoco/Proxim/Lucent RG-1000 with default encryption at work and a Linksys (non encrypted by default) at home.

Ever since I received my Acer, I have been getting both Orinoco and Linksys profiles in my Wifi configuration software while at work. I just figured it was memorized from my home. The problem is at work, it defaults to the Linksys router and not the Orinoco that I want to use. The Linksys usurps the wireless connection!

Well, just in case their was another network in my building, I did a search of "My Network Computers," and walla, I logged onto a Real Estate/Mortgage company in my building with all their financial files etc. non encrypted and showing! It turns out that my memorized profile was not my at home Linksys profile at all, but another hot spot and non encrypted!

The owner of the company happens to be a patient of mine. So, using one of "their shared printers," I printed out a quick letter explaining to them what was going on and letting them know that anyone sitting in the parking lot with a wifi had total uninhibited access to all their financial and business information!

Also, it is interesting how the configuration software defaulted and usurped, to the non encrypted Linksys profile of my neighbor, instead of the encrypted Orinoco that was mine!

I have to change the name of their Linksys connection SSID in order to capture my desired Orinoco AP!

Make sure you encrypt your configuration software and check for "My Network Computers."

[MKirk]

This isn't a full answer to your question; but if you don't have a wireless network at work, you will probably wan't to turn off the wireless antenna from the Motion panel (not the right term, I know). Unless you are always plugged in for power, your battery life will probably last longer without powering the wireless. You could also disable the wireless adapter from your network settings; but I don't imagine that would give you an battery life gains.

If you do use wireless occaionally, then this alone isn't a solution for you. I'll leave it up to the owners (I have only used a loaner), to give you some more info.

Mike