Wireless Networks a health hazard?

[Magpi 47]

Oh....now I'm really confused.

I AM wired up to a phone line....but my computer tells me when I log on that it detects several wireless networks.......but I am not wireless......but only because I couldn't fathom out how to get the wireless networks working. I wish I understood all this technical stuff a bit more.

Anyway, maybe I need not worry...I don't seem to have much brain to fry.

[Neal]

I set up a wi-fi printer for a relative recently, everything is going wi-fi! It had it all built in, just plug it in, set it up and away you go. Print from anywhere......localish.

[WillowTheWhisp]

Yep, we've got one printer for all PCs and it's connected by wifi. Even your bluetooth dongles are wifi. I guess we must all have fried brains by now then.

It sounds like you could piggyback on someone else's internet connection there Magpi. We've got ours security coded so no-one can do that.

[Magpi 47]

I was given the option of going wireless when I upgraded to Broadband recently......and my computer is newish too, so it is set to receive wireless.
I don't access the wireless networks because I am a bit worried about the security issues.......I don't need to use anyone else's access to broadband as I have my own....though I believe it IS possible - but illegal.


I'm not too hot on all these new technical advances, and I would have stayed on dial up internet access, but i was told that very soon it would be forced upon me to convert to broadband......I have to admit(grudgingly)...it IS better on Broadband.

[Angel]

I'm wireless and Ive not had any problems apart from a neighbour using my connection, soon sorted that when set up the security on my router. Have to say I don't know much about the effect it has on our health but it is handy to be able to move the laptop around and still have a connection.

[WillowTheWhisp]

Originally Posted by Magpi 47

I was given the option of going wireless when I upgraded to Broadband recently......and my computer is newish too, so it is set to receive wireless.
I don't access the wireless networks because I am a bit worried about the security issues.......I don't need to use anyone else's access to broadband as I have my own....though I believe it IS possible - but illegal.

To use your own PC wirelessly on your own ISP you'd need a router. If you're only using the one PC in a fixed location in the house then the way you are doing it makes perfect sense. It's handy to have a wireless connection to a router if you are using a laptop and want to use it in different places in the house. If you have more than one PC which you are connecting to the router then you can either have wireless connection or have a wire running from each location.We've got wire to the first PC which is next to the router and then wireless to all the others.

What I meant was if your PC is picking up that there are wireless connections available then they sound like they are your neighbour(s). I know someone who lets an elderly neighbour wifi into his internet connection. You could probably do that (with permission) - which again indicates that the signals must be pretty strong.

I'm not too hot on all these new technical advances, and I would have stayed on dial up internet access, but i was told that very soon it would be forced upon me to convert to broadband......I have to admit(grudgingly)...it IS better on Broadband.

Broadband is brilliant compared to dial up. I was scared of it at first but soon found that I'd been worried about nothing. I laugh at myself now when I think back to what I used be like when I first got on the internet but I'm learning all the time. Sometimes Busman (that's my husband) and I say we're like the blind leading the blind when we try to sort out technical things for each other but we know a couple of helpful people if we ever get totally confused by something.

[Magpi 47]

I have to admit Willow, that i always manage to sort myself out - even though i profess to know nothing about what I am doing......there is usually some resource I can access...either online or my Fave computer mag....but many times it is errorful learning.
I used to ask my daughter to sort me out with problems, but these days she says i know more than her. I know I have improved vastly over the years......I hope to continue to do so, and I am always grateful when someone can explain something to me to take me on a bit further.

By the way, the stuff the BT sent me when I upgraded acts as a router....or that is what i was told......so that IF I did want to go wireless in the future it would be possible without having to buy any other bits and pieces. (that should read equipment).

[WillowTheWhisp]

Yes, if you've got a router and your PC has a wireless card you're ready for it should you wish to change.

It's fun learning new stuff isn't it? I think it keeps my brain alive.

[cherokee]

sorry just slightly off topic when my broadband went down the other week my ip arranged for me to go on dial up untill they problem got solved so i connected up as you would already to go and i still couldnt get a connection ,so thinking the cable was split somewhere i went to pcworld where i bought the pc from at xmas only to be told that my pc could have blown up as it were not compatible for dial up.. as most new pc s these days grrr never gave it a thought ...

anyway back on topic ive got to set up my sons wireless soon but am a bit wary because it wouldnt do it last time i tried and kept disconecting me from the internet and allowing him to have it on in his room ..so i took it off altogether ..got really confused..

[WillowTheWhisp]

Blown up? Sounds a bit dramatic! :scared: