Phantom "available wireless network"

[JC]

So, first trip with a laptop...at one airport, I was having trouble with the airport's wifi. I saw another on the list of available networks, "Free Public WiFi", shown as a computer-to-computer network. Bored and desperate for some packets, I tried it. Didn't seem to hook up, so I got nervous and disconnected. Since then, "Free Public WiFi" still shows on my list...even though I'm far from that airport now, and it shows 4/5 bars! How can this be? Have I done something stupid? How do I get it off my lappy?

 

[spidey07]

You're part of the problem!!!!

This is a bug in windows where it picked up an adhoc network and then goes on to advertise it. There's plenty of people out there advertising an adhoc network of "Free Public WiFi" and they don't even know it.

 

[JC]

So....any way to get rid of it?

 

[JackMDS]

Remove it from the list of preferred Wireless Connection.

XP = http://www.ezlan.net/wireless/wzc3.jpg

Vista - http://www.ezlan.net/vista/wiremange.jpg

 

[JC]

Why didn't I think of that? Duh-oi!

Thanks, guys :thumbsup: