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Forum Discussion
Blocking someone else's extender
Hello All,
I work at a public library, and we have an open wireless network. We leave our network, Library, open as to keep things simple for our patrons. A week or two ago, we noticed a Library_EXT network popped up. Our network speed is significantly lower with the presense of this extended network. Through research, we discovered that this was being created by a Netgear Range Extender.
Using a cell phone WiFi analyzer, we tracked the signal to a strip mall, with apartments above, across the street. Short of issuing a cease and desist order, is there anything we can do to prevent the range extender from piggybacking our signal?
Thanks,
OutoftheWay
I work at a public library, and we have an open wireless network. We leave our network, Library, open as to keep things simple for our patrons. A week or two ago, we noticed a Library_EXT network popped up. Our network speed is significantly lower with the presense of this extended network. Through research, we discovered that this was being created by a Netgear Range Extender.
Using a cell phone WiFi analyzer, we tracked the signal to a strip mall, with apartments above, across the street. Short of issuing a cease and desist order, is there anything we can do to prevent the range extender from piggybacking our signal?
Thanks,
OutoftheWay
14 Replies
- It's not going to be easy to block a connection AND keep your network open - about the only option open to you is MAC address filtering where you specify the MAC of the extender as not being allowed to connect to your router (if your router allows blocking by MAC address) - the problem there is MAC address spoofing is very easily done, and your miscreant can change his MAC address and get past your block in a matter of minutes, once he figures out what you've done.
You can try moving your router further away to reduce the strength of the signal he/she can receive or move it to the front wall closest to the strip mall and the line the wall behind it with aluminum foil to try to block the signal. going through, whilst still making it available in the library itself. - I would simply setup a password for the wireless network and distribute this password to the library visitors.
jmizoguchi wrote: Use more device like GuestGate. www.guestgate.com
product will work great for what you need.
How does that prevent Mr Free Loader from getting free internet?Jack™ wrote: I would simply setup a password for the wireless network and distribute this password to the library visitors.
So Mr Free Loader comes over to the library, gets the password, goes home and sets it up in his extender - who have you inconvenienced him or the rest of the library patrons?- Guestgate has portal . Passcode
- Unit has Other features but other extender will not work because Passcode portal , not encryption
- I would also consider switching the WiFi off when you go home. This way Mr Free Loader can't access it during the night.
Normally I recommend against powering off a router over night as it can shorten the life expectancy of the router.
As for the suggestion of putting up ally foil, this isn't such a bad one. Covering the windows with suitable reflective material could keep the sunlight out and reduce the WiFi signal strength outside the building.
I would also recommend that you consider blocking some sites, such as access to well known gaming and torrent sites. It is possible that this is what Mr Free Loader is using your WiFi for and this would hinder his actions. Should any patrons complain, then a polite response is "It is a library, not somewhere to play on-line games or download illegal material". jmizoguchi wrote: Unit has Other features but other extender will not work because Passcode portal , not encryption
Unless I'm missing something the library will still need to distribute the passcode to the patrons, and Mr. Free Loader will still be able to walk across the street to the library and request the passcode and then go home and connect.- With extender usage will not allow because of portal and
and unit has capable block Mac address , scheduled time, duration , etc.
Pass code can be created in multiple of it so you are not limited to just one
