What are the PC-to-PC wireless connects that you usually pick up

[LS21]

when youre scanning for a network in public or something, there are 2 types: access point and these ad hoc pc-to-pc whatever things

what are those 2nd type? how are they set up ? is it established by any machine with a wireless router machine in some alternate setting? are most of them maliciously set by somebody hoping you'd pick their signal so they could steal your info (one way or another)? people accidentally leave them on?

theres always lots of them on the air. im curious

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: LS21
when youre scanning for a network in public or something, there are 2 types: access point and these ad hoc pc-to-pc whatever things

what are those 2nd type? how are they set up ? is it established by any machine with a wireless router machine in some alternate setting? are most of them maliciously set by somebody hoping you'd pick their signal so they could steal your info (one way or another)? people accidentally leave them on?

theres always lots of them on the air. im curious

There are two kinds normally. The clueless connections that people allowed on their computer by checking all the boxes in their wireless connections and not knowing what "sharing" really means.

The others are folks that might offering a connection to the internet, but what they are really doing is monitoring your traffic to get stuff they can use, like in the clear user ids, passwords, etc. Totally malicious. The most obvious ones will be called "Free Internet", "Sprint Wireless", or any other popular wireless "pay" site.

Best practice, never use them.

edit - even with pay sites or hotel sites, only use SSL sites for stuff with passwords or use a VPN tunnel.

 

[Kelemvor]

You don't ever want an Ad-Hoc networks unless you specifically know you do.

For more information, Go here.