Cannot get rid of old wifi access

fredmullick · 07-09-2008, 07:56 AM

I used to have a D-Link wireless router, and had a SSID "Laila", with encryption. I replaced this router with a wireless SMC router, with SSID "Liam". The old router is safely packed away and in storage. For a few days I could access the internet with the new router. But in the last couple of weeks, I am unable to connect to the internet thru Liam and the SMC router, but am able to connect to the internet through the Laila SSID. At no time was the new SMC router programmed with the Laila SSID.
I am, also, able to connect to the internet through Laila even though the SMC router is disconnected.
I cannot understand what is happening, and would appreciate it if someone could enlighten me.
thanks

**johnwill** · 07-10-2008, 09:07 AM

Obviously, there is a router somewhere close that has the SSID LAILA, since it's pretty unlikely the one with no power in a box is allowing a connection.

**lazareth1** · 07-11-2008, 03:47 AM

Maybe someone close has configured their router or AP to match your old SSID and was using your internet!

fredmullick · 07-11-2008, 05:07 AM

Thanks for your prompt reply. I thought of that possibility too. However, what are the chances of someone close to my apartment in the building choosing my granddaughter's name as their SSID, too? However, I guess, stranger things have happened.

**johnwill** · 07-11-2008, 12:34 PM

Well, it's clear that the two routers you have that are not powered on are NOT sending you the signal!

**lazareth1** · 07-13-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredmullick

Thanks for your prompt reply. I thought of that possibility too. However, what are the chances of someone close to my apartment in the building choosing my granddaughter's name as their SSID, too? However, I guess, stranger things have happened.

It's not that they had thought of the same SSID name by coincidence. It may be that someone had saw your old wireless network before you took it down and decided to 'piggy back' onto your wireless network to steal you internet connection. You have only noticed this no because you have changed the wireless network.

I'm not saying this is 100% whats happened, but I wouldn't rule it out. Be sure to encrypt your new network and hide the SSID etc.

**johnwill** · 07-14-2008, 06:27 PM

Well, how can they be stealing his wireless when they're powered off? There is a new WAP with the same SSID, which he can connect to. That doesn't sound like they're stealing his access, I really don't know what's going on there.

**lazareth1** · 07-14-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

Well, how can they be stealing his wireless when they're powered off? There is a new WAP with the same SSID, which he can connect to. That doesn't sound like they're stealing his access, I really don't know what's going on there.

No. I meant that they COULD have been stealing his wirless. When he had his old setup with the SSID Laila, a neighbour could have stumbled accross it and thought he/she would try their luck and piggy back on by setting their AP to the same SSID.

Then our good friend fred here goes to change his router and SSID to Liam so now old network is gone now, but neighbour still has their SSID to laila set STILL to piggyback onto the internet.

As I said it's a possibility and not 100% but it's the only other thing so far that could explain this. Unless laila is a common SSID.

**johnwill** · 07-15-2008, 05:19 PM

It's a mystery!

**lazareth1** · 07-15-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

It's a mystery!

Yeah it defies the laws of physics

. I know sometimes old SSIDs still pop in 'veiw available networks' on the windows wireless zero client. But joining the network when it doesn't exsist?! Thats a new one!

**johnwill** · 07-17-2008, 08:24 AM

Time warp.

**lazareth1** · 07-17-2008, 07:49 PM

Warp speed aye! *Peforms USS Enterprise slingshot time travel manuaver!*

07-09-2008, 07:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
fredmullick Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2 OS: winXP SP2	Cannot get rid of old wifi access I used to have a D-Link wireless router, and had a SSID "Laila", with encryption. I replaced this router with a wireless SMC router, with SSID "Liam". The old router is safely packed away and in storage. For a few days I could access the internet with the new router. But in the last couple of weeks, I am unable to connect to the internet thru Liam and the SMC router, but am able to connect to the internet through the Laila SSID. At no time was the new SMC router programmed with the Laila SSID. I am, also, able to connect to the internet through Laila even though the SMC router is disconnected. I cannot understand what is happening, and would appreciate it if someone could enlighten me. thanks

07-10-2008, 09:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Cannot get rid of old wifi access Obviously, there is a router somewhere close that has the SSID LAILA, since it's pretty unlikely the one with no power in a box is allowing a connection. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

07-11-2008, 03:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
lazareth1 Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hong Kong, previously Fife in Bonnie Scotland Posts: 1,294 OS: Vista SP1, Ultimate My System	Re: Cannot get rid of old wifi access Maybe someone close has configured their router or AP to match your old SSID and was using your internet! __________________ Prime95\|Everest Ultimate Edition\|How to do a repair install of XP\|Bench Testing "Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted"

07-11-2008, 05:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
fredmullick Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2 OS: winXP SP2	Re: Cannot get rid of old wifi access Thanks for your prompt reply. I thought of that possibility too. However, what are the chances of someone close to my apartment in the building choosing my granddaughter's name as their SSID, too? However, I guess, stranger things have happened.

07-11-2008, 12:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Cannot get rid of old wifi access Well, it's clear that the two routers you have that are not powered on are NOT sending you the signal! __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

07-14-2008, 06:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Cannot get rid of old wifi access Well, how can they be stealing his wireless when they're powered off? There is a new WAP with the same SSID, which he can connect to. That doesn't sound like they're stealing his access, I really don't know what's going on there. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

07-15-2008, 05:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Cannot get rid of old wifi access It's a mystery! __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

07-17-2008, 08:24 AM	#11 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Cannot get rid of old wifi access Time warp. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

07-17-2008, 07:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
lazareth1 Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hong Kong, previously Fife in Bonnie Scotland Posts: 1,294 OS: Vista SP1, Ultimate My System	Re: Cannot get rid of old wifi access Warp speed aye! Peforms USS Enterprise slingshot time travel manuaver! __________________ Prime95\|Everest Ultimate Edition\|How to do a repair install of XP\|Bench Testing "Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted"