Re: Elementary newbie question

[Rob Morley <nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:48:32 +0100
Ted <ted99@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Right. So does that mean that the router encrypts the 
> packets and that some decryption software is required to be 
> installed on the laptop receiving the packets?

The network driver handles the encryption and decryption - all you need
do is set the encryption key on the router and any wireless clients.

> So this would mean the router of the network to which I 
> connected was broadcasting SSID and my laptop automatically 
> picked it up and joined in the network?

Yes.
> 
> Is there a way of preventing the laptop from connecting to 
> broadcasting foreign networks?
> 
You can set it to only connect to your network (somewhere in the
wireless network preferences).  I think you can also set it to always
offer you a choice before connecting to anything.

> If I turn off SSID broadcast on my router, presumably I need 
> to configure something on the router together with a 
> matching counterpart something on the laptop so that the 
> laptop will find and connect with the router.
> 
Change the SSID on the router from the default that it comes with to
something less obvious, and put the new SSID in your laptop wireless
preferences.  If you can't figure out where to put it I can have a look
on an XP laptop, but I don't normally use either Windows or wireless.