My visiting grandma, is sleeping in the room next to me. My parents turned the cable box and wireless router is off, so the lights wouldn't dusturb by Grandma. The funny thing is I still have a signal. Can I really pick up another signal, even If I live in the middle of the suburbs?

Read carefully: Because of the PATRIOT ACT and some laws that bypass certain levels of security and privacy, Microsoft is allowed to moniter very small amount of files on your computer. Within the OS, a very small tracking file (similar to a spybot file) called "OMItag.dll" records certain actions you do. But fear not, this tracking file doesn't really record alot of your actions, Mircosoft is just testing a new system of priracy/illegal software detection (or so they claim) for Windows Vista. This file gathers information and sends it through the internet. Even when your router is off, it can be sent through Mircosoft "WindowWorld" WiFi connection. It is amazing you caught the bugger in action, because it only operates during short intervals of time!

You can get the patch "OMIbuster" over the internet.

Oh, and do I see a Steam hack?

Do you recognize the network name "belkin54g"?

Belkin has to do with surge protectors... I think.

yes, i must agree.

p.s. just let grandma sleep. SHE'S YOUR GRANDMOTHER!!!!

802.11g can permeate a good ways. I did a test and walked outside carrying my laptop. I was able to go a good distance before I lost signal. I'm going to assume you live in wooden structure. Wood doesn't impede wireless unlike a steel building.

Probably you've tapped into some other guy's router.

It's probably a neighbour. If you find out who it is, its a good idea to warn them of freeloaders. Make sure you set your security cause they could probably access yours. By the way Belkin54g is a common default name for a certain router.

I remember, when my computer was up in my room in the second floor, I could pick up 4 different connections other than my own, one of which was unprotected...

However, I can only get mine now that the computer is in the basement.

When a friend of mine visited from out of town, he would regularly use the neighbors wireless router. >.>

From my house I can pick up 3 wireless networks, 2 are b, one is an apple network.

Actually I legally bought the games, but someone hijacked my account. I use it to play the games offline. Vavle is actually being sued for Steam problems by a class action law suit.

So is it a Windows Wi-Fi like echoman said, or is it just my neighbor? I have an Airnet router (reall nice). My router has needs a login and password to sign on, so I'm safe, but i just feel sorry for this guy. I'll probably question my neighbors on their connection.

It's probably a neighbors. You'll notice you're getting crap quality and strength.

When I moved into this apartment, I was leeching off of a neighbor's connection until Mediacom could get their heads straight as to what to do about the fact that I don't pay for cable TV.

It's still illegal.

It's now censored for my our protection.

hahahaha, "illegal".

No it isn't. You can do whatever you want with your property, first.
Second, if the EULA contains a clause about reverse engineering, it's legal to apply a patch that removes a CD check if and only if...
Three, if the copy protection/CD check is covered by the DMCA, it only affects Americans. And this is a huge 'if'.


As for the network: You are connecting to a stranger's wireless network. Are you using your own network right now? If not, why are you still posting? Be a proper lad and disconnect from their network.

And inform the owner of the network to turn off name broadcasting and institute a WEP passphrase.