desperately need help - how to block a neighbors network

nicetomeetyou · 08-20-2009, 09:28 AM

ive looked all over the net and posted this question in a few other places and cant seem to find out if this is possible or how to do it.

the situation is like this. someone in the family needs to be cut off from the internet at home due to an internet gambling addiction. they have a laptop which is able to pick up wireless networks. They DO need to be able to pick up wireless networks in public places like the library, etc.

We've gone as far as to cancel our internet service at home. but, there is a neighbor broadcasting an unsecured network which this family member can easily connect to at home.

the issue is, how to make it so that his laptop cannot detect this neighbors signal, or how to block that signal, but just that one alone; not to disable the ability for locating public wifi networks.

i hope this makes sense. let me know if you need any clarification. the laptop is a gateway operating on windows vista

Suncoast · 08-20-2009, 03:08 PM

I must assume this family member is an adult, otherwise you would simply take away the laptop.

It is completely illegal to block or jam a lawful wireless signal.

Your best course of action is to approach your neighbor. Rather than explain your situation, simply explain that you have noticed they are running an open wireless access point. Explain how this may cause them unwanted attention if a bad person attached to their network with ill intentions, which would be traced back to them. Offer to reconfigure their wireless system with security like WEP or WPA-PSK.

nicetomeetyou · 08-20-2009, 03:21 PM

point taken.

to clarify, i don't want to block or hamper their network. i just want to prevent my machine from picking up their signal. a bit of a difference as nothing i would do to my own computer could be illegal

Suncoast · 08-20-2009, 03:28 PM

If this person is at all adept with the laptop, anything you do to the Network settings can be easily undone. If you have enough standing with this person, you could install software like Net-Nanny to administratively block access to the sites themselves. This would require making the users account a limited one, and preventing access to the Administrative account. Unfortunately, the home versions have no real administrative security.

Suncoast · 08-20-2009, 03:35 PM

I am speaking from a USA perspective. Several years ago, a few shopping malls put in cell phone jamming devices. Some of the Public Schools did the same thing, citing they had the right to control their own facilities. The FCC basically found this practice to be illegal because they were interfering with a lawful radio signal. Since then, these laws have been strengthened. So even though you may generate a jamming signal that only affects your computer, it would still be illegal, no matter how noble your intentions.

08-20-2009, 09:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
nicetomeetyou Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Vista	desperately need help - how to block a neighbors network ive looked all over the net and posted this question in a few other places and cant seem to find out if this is possible or how to do it. the situation is like this. someone in the family needs to be cut off from the internet at home due to an internet gambling addiction. they have a laptop which is able to pick up wireless networks. They DO need to be able to pick up wireless networks in public places like the library, etc. We've gone as far as to cancel our internet service at home. but, there is a neighbor broadcasting an unsecured network which this family member can easily connect to at home. the issue is, how to make it so that his laptop cannot detect this neighbors signal, or how to block that signal, but just that one alone; not to disable the ability for locating public wifi networks. i hope this makes sense. let me know if you need any clarification. the laptop is a gateway operating on windows vista

08-20-2009, 03:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Suncoast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Largo, FL, USA Posts: 389 OS: XPP, Linux, 2003, Cisco	Re: desperately need help - how to block a neighbors network I must assume this family member is an adult, otherwise you would simply take away the laptop. It is completely illegal to block or jam a lawful wireless signal. Your best course of action is to approach your neighbor. Rather than explain your situation, simply explain that you have noticed they are running an open wireless access point. Explain how this may cause them unwanted attention if a bad person attached to their network with ill intentions, which would be traced back to them. Offer to reconfigure their wireless system with security like WEP or WPA-PSK.

08-20-2009, 03:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
nicetomeetyou Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Vista	Re: desperately need help - how to block a neighbors network point taken. to clarify, i don't want to block or hamper their network. i just want to prevent my machine from picking up their signal. a bit of a difference as nothing i would do to my own computer could be illegal

08-20-2009, 03:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Suncoast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Largo, FL, USA Posts: 389 OS: XPP, Linux, 2003, Cisco	Re: desperately need help - how to block a neighbors network If this person is at all adept with the laptop, anything you do to the Network settings can be easily undone. If you have enough standing with this person, you could install software like Net-Nanny to administratively block access to the sites themselves. This would require making the users account a limited one, and preventing access to the Administrative account. Unfortunately, the home versions have no real administrative security.

08-20-2009, 03:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Suncoast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Largo, FL, USA Posts: 389 OS: XPP, Linux, 2003, Cisco	Re: desperately need help - how to block a neighbors network I am speaking from a USA perspective. Several years ago, a few shopping malls put in cell phone jamming devices. Some of the Public Schools did the same thing, citing they had the right to control their own facilities. The FCC basically found this practice to be illegal because they were interfering with a lawful radio signal. Since then, these laws have been strengthened. So even though you may generate a jamming signal that only affects your computer, it would still be illegal, no matter how noble your intentions.