A few weeks ago I noticed a new wireless network popped up on my “View Wireless Networks” screen. It was one of my neighbors. His network was open to everyone. It was un-encrypted, making it readily available for anyone with a wireless device. This created a problem for me. It provided a free, uncontrolled, unfiltered internet access in my house. For several various reasons I want the internet access in my house to be filtered and secured. This wasn’t.

I started to mess around with this new unsecured network. Within couple of minutes I was able to connect and login as administrator to the network’s wireless router. Suddenly I was in control and felt the power. I was tempted to just lock down the sucker and be done with it. However, this would prevent the neighbor from using the internet. After all he was the rightful owner of this network. Locking down his network would be less than ethical and probably considered hacking. Something that a few were already tried and convicted.
 I decided against it.

After spending couple of minutes on the router I was able to determine that there were about 5 other computers connected to this “Free Internet Provider,” probably my other neighbors. I also was able to see the log of all visited websites, as this router had logging enabled. This created a privacy issues for its users. Anyone with just a little of technical know-how, could see what the neighbor was doing on the internet.

For the next couple of days I debated what to do. I did not know which neighbor this belonged to, however I was able to find his email address from the router’s administrator profile page. I decided to send him an email explaining my dilemma. I politely explained that his network provides unfiltered internet in my house and this is something that is highly undesirable. I suggested that he implements security on his router, because it poses some privacy risks for him as well. 

I did not know what to expect. After a week of no replies, last night I received an email from my neighbor. He thanked me for pointing this out to him and reported that he took care of this problem by installing encryption and securing the router. Very nice. Thank you very much! I am happy.

The problem of undesired wireless networks in and around your residence will only increase. The computer software makers should provide a way to block or restrict access to undesired wireless networks. Wireless technology is great, but it is still maturing and has way to go.

As far as internet filtering goes, I highly recommend AFAFilter.com and ContentProtect. There is no reason why internet filter should not be used in every home. It is good for the kids and teens who live in your home but it is also good for the adults.

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