I can see someone's wifi signal.

I can see the wifi signal from my cousin’s laptop. What is my cousin doing that would allow me to see his wifi signal in the list of available networks? How would he change his network settings to hide his wifi signal, he is using windows 7. Can I gain access to his PC, maybe move the mouse around so he known how vulnerable his pc is?

He could probably put a pass on it, the most I think you could easily do is suck from his internet connection, but I don’t know.

From Vista on; Windows has “network discovery”. It looks for other devices with networking installed. Networks and computers can be password protected and encrypted.

You do not understand. His PC (personal computer) is broadcasting a wireless signal without his knowledge. It is NOT someone’s wireless router, it is a personal computer. I think his wireless signal is affecting my connection, and I do not want anyone accessing his PC in public places; unless it is me. Now, I figure he should turn ad-hoc off, but what is your opinion?

He could turn off his wifi --> Control Panel>Network and Internet> Manage Wireless Networks.

So you believe your cousins pc is at risk but you haven’t done anything about it in the last 2 days. Why don’t you just tell him ?

I showed him once, but the problem keeps occurring. His cell doesn’t have any minutes, so the only way I can contact him is if I see him in town.

Safetyman; hardly-har.

Richard:
._.

I have been having a bad day, so if I am mean or sarcastic don’t pay it any mind.
Now, what is your excuse.

Whoa, you can reach his wifi signal when he’s out of town?

Did some reading on the Wikipedia, apparently you can read data that goes over the connection, including personal info, although you may be able to encrypt the data.
Dunno how though.

I wasn’t trying to be funny. Under the settings I posted he can adjust, protect or turn off his signal. If it doesn’t bother him, let it be so that others can mooch the signal.

He is connected to a public wifi signal. I think his signal connects directly to his PC, not the internet.

So you’re saying that your cousin is broadcasting a wifi network?

You’ll need to check 2 things.

Check if your cousin has saved an ad-hoc wifi network that will automaticlly turn on when his laptop turns on, and if so, delete it.

Check if you haven’t accidentally saved that network when connecting to it and uncheck the box (“connect even without signal”), you might as well be looking at a fake network.

Thanks McBuff, I’ll try that when I see him next.