If I'm using someone else's wifi, can they see what I type?

[NightWatcher]

I'm on a 3 day surveillance gig and someone has wifi, yippee. Internets and Beers, yay.

[KitchenWitch]

1. I think someone very savvy may be able to intercept the packets going back and forth

between your computer and the wifi.

[NightWatcher]

2. will they be able to see that I'm piggybacking their wifi?

the signal belongs to an author who lives next to where I am setup, and if it appears likely that they can see me (or just to be a nice guy), I may give them a call and ask permission to use it. If they cant see me, there's no need to start something.

[KitchenWitch]

3. They may notice a slowing of performance on their wifi

I think if I were you I would give the author a call and ask.

I am surprised, in this day and age, that there are still a lot of people who do not secure their wireless networks.

[One_Life_To_Give]

5. Yes

At least on mine I can see every MAC address tied to the router, wireless as well as hard wired. Seeing what you put into each packet is beyond my meager abilities. But connecting into an unsecured PC attached to my wireless isn't much trouble.

[pokerfan]

12. but if they aren't savvy enough to secure their system...

they probably won't have a clue.

[One_Life_To_Give]

6. dupe

dupe

[mainegreen]

4. Not if you set up an encrypted VPN, and have your laptop secured.

Firewall, close your ports and all that shit.

Nothings 100%, but that should do the trick.

[jobycom]

7. If he can't figure out how to secure his wireless, he probably can't figure out how to see you. nt

[NightWatcher]

8. thank you, very true.

[DS1]

9. Aren't you supposed to be the private investigator?

sheesh

[NightWatcher]

10. the easiest way to learn something is to ask someone who knows

a lot of PI's try too hard to get information that you just have to ask for.

[DS1]

11. They'll be able to see your URL requests

but what you're typing in notepad is unlikely.


I guess you just have to hope/assume that the wireless you're piggybacking isn't owned by the person you're watching.