Strange Network Name

[Gwaredd Thomas]

It isn't a problem. Network discovery is simply "seeing" the network as a potential connection. Since it seems the other network - Junkman22 - has a password there is no danger of your computer connecting. And as Harry said make sure you have your network set for WPA2 and AES security with a strong password and you will be okay.

The reason it will appear and disappear could be for a couple of reasons. You could be just at the end of the transmission range of the other network. Sometimes with the right conditions you will pick it up and other days you won't. Also they may turn there network off. Hard to say.

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

Well I'm happy to hear that it's not a problem. But my network is set at WPA/WPA2. Since I've never mucked about with this before how do I go about getting an AES security and reset a password? Sorry for the hassle.

 

[chscag]

Yes, it is showing in the wireless drop down menu.
Yes, padlock is displayed but locked. Also the WiFi connection only displays a half of a connection.

Don't worry about it. You're picking up someone's signal, weak as it is and protected with a password. My drop down list shows no less than 14 other connections of various signal strength and 2 iPhones on LTE. The two iPhones belong to me and my wife.

And, Welcome to our forums!

 

[Gwaredd Thomas]

Don't worry about it. You're picking up someone's signal, weak as it is and protected with a password. My drop down list shows no less than 14 other connections of various signal strength and 2 iPhones on LTE. The two iPhones belong to me and my wife.

And, Welcome to our forums!

Thank you for the welcome. I called my WiFi service provider and she said exactly the same thing you did. Since I live in a very rural area my WiFi is only picking up the signals from two neighbours: one lives about 400 yards away and the other one lives a half mile. I did, however, change my WiFi password to one that would be impossible for anyone to guess since it's a long Welsh word and numbers. So I'm good to go.

I want to thank all you mates for taking the time to help me work through this.

 

[lclev]

Sounds like you are good. And as long as you have WPA2 you are okay. AES is referring to the data encryption method setting. It should be under the security settings in your router. Usually you can pick AES or TKIP or both. TKIP had been supposedly hacked and AES is more secure but it really is not that big a deal. If you can find the setting in your router you can change it, if not don't worry about it.

Lisa

 

[harryb2448]

Beauty Gwaredd finally belived me!

 

[Gwaredd Thomas]

Beauty Gwaredd finally belived me!

As old Ronnie Reagan used to say: "Trust but verify." ;D

 

[pm-r]

As old Ronnie Reagan used to say: "Trust but verify." ;D

And look what happened to him! ;D

 

[Gwaredd Thomas]

And look what happened to him! ;D

You got me there mate! ;D

 

[GatorJ]

I'm sorry I have to call BS on this. You are seeing two other networks and your closest neighbor is 400 yards away the other is a half mile? There is absolutely no way whatsoever you are seeing a network from 400 yards away and half a mile is a joke.

Standard wireless network transmission distances for a home network are roughly 70 feet of unobstructed view. With a repeater you can add another 50% of that for about 100 feet NOT 1,200...

Can't believe no one else called him on this.

 

[Yodrak]

Like chscag, I can see a dozen wireless networks in my neighborhood, and all but the 2 on either side of my house are more than 70 feet away.

Yodrak

I'm sorry I have to call BS on this. You are seeing two other networks and your closest neighbor is 400 yards away the other is a half mile? There is absolutely no way whatsoever you are seeing a network from 400 yards away and half a mile is a joke.

Standard wireless network transmission distances for a home network are roughly 70 feet of unobstructed view. With a repeater you can add another 50% of that for about 100 feet NOT 1,200...

Can't believe no one else called him on this.

 

[MacInWin]

I'm an amateur radio operator and in certain conditions you can hear a signal from a very, very long way away. I've covered the world with 5w. So it's not impossible for a WiFi signal to be seen 400 yards away. It won't be reliable to use, but it could easily be seen.

 

[pm-r]

I'm sorry I have to call BS on this. You are seeing two other networks and your closest neighbor is 400 yards away the other is a half mile? There is absolutely no way whatsoever you are seeing a network from 400 yards away and half a mile is a joke.

Standard wireless network transmission distances for a home network are roughly 70 feet of unobstructed view. With a repeater you can add another 50% of that for about 100 feet NOT 1,200...

Can't believe no one else called him on this.

Well, considering that I (we) don't know what equipment is being used, but it's quite possible, especially with some equipment like this is being used:
G54 Wireless 2.4GHz High Power Outdoor Access Point TL-WA5210G - Welcome to TP-LINK

"12dBi dual-polarized antenna to build long distance WiFi connection up to 15km(9.3miles)…"
or even,
"...With software ACK timeout adjustable by setting the distance between two APs, it allows you to adjust the timeout value up to 15km(9.3miles) for outdoor long distance operation, or even 52km(32.3mile) with higher gain antenna support. …"

Or maybe even like an electronics genius friend in Brentwood Bay BC who modded his CB radio and designed and built his own antenna and could then talk with other similar users in Texas, Florida, New Zealand and Australia etc. Not a bad distance.

 

[Gwaredd Thomas]

Like chscag, I can see a dozen wireless networks in my neighborhood, and all but the 2 on either side of my house are more than 70 feet away.

Yodrak

GatorJ: It's not my problem whether you thinks it's BS or not. I spoke with tech support at the company from where I get my service and they said that it's common for that to happen. And, yes, I can pick-up a signal from a half-mile away. What! you don't think strange anomalies can occur? What do you think I'm some kind of a **** troll? I take this forum seriously and I don't ask questions just to have fun.

 

[chscag]

LOL, it's obvious member GatorJ has not lived in Texas. At our business location we could easily pick up the public library WiFi signal which was a good half mile away, even with some buildings in the way. While it's true that a 5 GHz WiFi transmission might be more difficult to pick up beyond 100 yards or so, the 2.4 GHz band will travel a lot farther. And let's not forget that the signal could also bounce and get reflected.

 

[Gwaredd Thomas]

LOL, it's obvious member GatorJ has not lived in Texas. At our business location we could easily pick up the public library WiFi signal which was a good half mile away, even with some buildings in the way. While it's true that a 5 GHz WiFi transmission might be more difficult to pick up beyond 100 yards or so, the 2.4 GHz band will travel a lot farther. And let's not forget that the signal could also bounce and get reflected.

Thanks mate!

 

[pm-r]

LOL, it's obvious member GatorJ has not lived in Texas. At our business location we could easily pick up the public library WiFi signal which was a good half mile away, even with some buildings in the way. While it's true that a 5 GHz WiFi transmission might be more difficult to pick up beyond 100 yards or so, the 2.4 GHz band will travel a lot farther. And let's not forget that the signal could also bounce and get reflected.

Oh Gheese, now we're going to get a bunch of complaining posts about someone getting some bounced and used signals.

 

[Gwaredd Thomas]

Oh Gheese, now we're going to get a bunch of complaining posts about someone getting some bounced and used signals.

Yeah! Kind of like...

 

[Libba]

I use a WiFi Connection and I didn't not share my network connection with anyone. My computer never leaves my house and I live in a rural area with only one other house close to me and that's about 400 yards.

I would immediately change my Wi-Fi password and choose a serious password, not an easily guessable one. While it seems impossible that someone has connected to your system, it looks like someone has. You will of course need to enter this password into all devices that connect.

 

[MacInWin]

I would immediately change my Wi-Fi password and choose a serious password, not an easily guessable one. While it seems impossible that someone has connected to your system, it looks like someone has. You will of course need to enter this password into all devices that connect.

No, he's just seeing a neighbor's network. Nobody logged into his, and while a good password is a good thing, there's no need to take any extraordinary actions.

 

[Gwaredd Thomas]

No, he's just seeing a neighbor's network. Nobody logged into his, and while a good password is a good thing, there's no need to take any extraordinary actions.

Yes, that's correct. And only two show-up with very low signal strength. As goes passwords, I did change mine to a long Welsh word plus symbols and numbers which no one could figure out...unless, of course, they could speak Welsh and it would still give them fits. CYMRU AM BYTH! ;D