Wireless connection password?

Question

the computer im typing this on has a wireless internet connection and my sister has a laptop and she picked up the connection but it says she needs a password to access the connection. neither of us know where to get the password, can anyone help us out?

Answer 1

Go to dosprompt, you may access this from the start menu. Type in "ipconfig /all", now you want to look at the IP address next to the "Default Gateway" listing. Remember this number. Close dosprompt and open internet explorer, in the address bar, type the IP you just found. Log into the router (If it's a modem provided by your ISP it still functions as a router) using the default username and password...or whatever you've changed it to. For the defaults, try here: http://www.phenoelit-us.org/dpl/dpl.html . Now look for an option that says wireless, or wireless security, you will more than likely be looking for a WPA key, but could be looking for a WEP key too. It should either allow you to view it or change it one or the other.

As for above comment on breaking law, this varies state by state. In my state, the defining line (if this weren't your connection...which it sounds like it is yours) is when you access the persons computers, not when you jump through their connection to the web. If you are using someone elses connection, know your states laws on this.

...edit: and since the third poster disagrees, here's a link for the question of whether wifi "piggybacking" is illegal...good read. http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/200...

Also, I'm a computer technician...I wasn't responding to a way to attack someone elses network. Read the above in parenthesis, where I say it sounds like it is yours...I'm not dead wrong...but, that's ok.

Answer 2

If it's not your connection then your not going to know it, if you did connect to the wireless connection then you would be breaking the law.

Answer 3

I agree it is breaking the law if you use someone else's Internet connection for illegal activities, however I do not believe using someone else's Internet connection is wrong - if they did not want you to use it they should know better to protect it with a password (WEP, WPA, etc).  The question you asked sounds like they do have some kind of encryption on their wireless router.  The one person who answered your questions suggesting you access their router via the IP address is wrong - if there is some kind of encryption in place you will not be able to access the router any easier then accessing the internet.  There are means available to "crack" this encryption code.  However you also said in your question that the computer you are using has access to this wireless signal your sister is trying to use.  Who manages the computer?  Who manages the wireless router with the password?  Ask this person.  If it is someone else you may upset them by doing so (that is why he has a password on it in the first place so others will not use it).  I think some more information is necessary to fully understand and answer this question.  However I hope my information helped and you found it useful.  Good Luck!