Wireless hotspots?

**snct** · 08-16-2004, 05:16 PM

The UPS Store that I use is trying to provide a hotspot for wireless connections... But they're trying to charge a fee to do it. My understanding of this technology is that just about anyone can tap into the hotspot, without having any clearance what so ever (like just parking outside the store and surfing for free). Is it as simple as allowing, or disallowing certain IP's, or what? I'm new to this, so any discussion from those who know is appreciated

.

**ZennouRyuu** · 08-16-2004, 08:33 PM

They probobly give you an account. Any attempt to access any sort of internet resources brings you to you log in screen (some kind of routing service) once you log in, the ip you logged in from will be granted access to the internet. Now thats not to say some clever sniffing couldnt get you a valid login and pass but, I wouldnt know anything about that

**beezlebubsbum** · 08-17-2004, 12:06 AM

I have a wifi card in my laptop, and sometimes I am able to access the internet in certain places without any security clearance or nothing! In Australia, there is a group that is promoting the use of wifi for free!

**snct** · 08-17-2004, 12:37 AM

Ok, cool. Thanks for the responses. I saw a wireless "sniffer" at Office Depot today for about $30USD. I didn't get it, but now that I have built-in wireless, it's nice to know about these things :mrgreen: .

**ZennouRyuu** · 08-17-2004, 03:07 AM

Well many places do have free wireless (my neighbors are an example) but places that do charge usually have that type of gateway system i described

snct. dont worry about the sniffer thats nothing your linux laptop and kismet cant do and do much better.

**Fatal Error** · 08-17-2004, 03:17 AM

apt-get install kismet?

**ZennouRyuu** · 08-17-2004, 03:38 AM

ummm dunno about debian, its sure as hell in portage 'emerge kismet' works like a dream

**snct** · 08-17-2004, 03:52 AM

Originally Posted by Fatal Error

apt-get install kismet?

Yep... That would be my first guess (though I need to read up on kismet first

).

Thanks for the tip ZR. I'll look into it.

**snct** · 09-05-2004, 03:52 AM

I'm having a little trouble... Specifically what software and/or configuration tool do I use in Linux to connect to a wireless internet point? I did some reading about Kismet, but as usual (for Linux) I still don't really know how to make the connection.

The Kismet man page says something about the client side being an ncurses thingy whatsits??? What does that mean, and how can I tell Konq how I want to connect to the internet. I never understood anything about ncurses, so...?

To clarify... I'm using the 2.6 kernel and Kismet is already installed on my Knoppix 3.6 distro. This isn't an urgent thing, but it's a little frustrating because I've done the install away from home (wired ethernet), so WiFi is the only internet connection I've got until I get back home.