How to Become Invisible on a Wireless Network?

Question

I work at a local coffee shop that supplies free wi-fi. In the office, I am usually connected to that same wi-fi. Anyone who goes to the standard ip address of our router can see my computer's name, as well as my LAN ip and whether or not I'm online. As I do not want to be known to our customers in case anyone tries an attack, I wanted to know how to make myself invisible on the network. I remember hearing something about starting my computer's network name with a special character, but don't know which one. Any help?

Answer 1

I dont know about that but there is a program that will allow you to surf anymously and will mask your IP address if thats what your lookingfor/interested in, there are many out there but i like anoymizer try a search for it and test thier 7 day trial you may like it.

Answer 2

In truth, with the equipment you have, the only thing you can do is turn off all file and print sharing when you connect!  It wont hide you but will keep others from attempting to connect! Add in a really good firewall and you should be fine.

There are some hot spot routers, some very cheap these days, that block ALL WIRELESS to WIRELESS traffic thus making you and your users safe!  If it were me, I'd get the owner to invest in one. Setting up hot spots correctly costs a little more but makes your users and your service worth it!

Check out the older Proxim AP-2500's  you can still find them, they are a great little hot spot controller! You can just plug one on to your current system!  They are usually available from ebay or some specialty used wifi shops etc. They run about 150.00 now, they used to be about 900!

There are newer ones (hot spot contollers), but the newer ones are more expensive!

If you can't find one, let me know.