Comment on Student dorm does not allow wifi routers
mp3@lemmy.ca 2 months agoMost commercial networks systems have the ability to detect right access points by analysing the radio spectrum, and hiding the SSID will not avoid detection once traffic starts flowing to it.
mat@linux.community 2 months ago
Interesting about hiding SSIDs, I never knew why that option existed. I’m here on Erasmus so I don’t want to risk too much by knowingly breaking rules… them triangulating it to my room and starting a legal case or something sounds real scary.
cm0002@lemmy.world 2 months ago
It’s also incredibly unlikely unless you’re actually causing problems
If you really want wireless, do the Ethernet > Desktop/Laptop with hotspot and limit it’s TX power WAY down to minimal levels.
You should be able to use it within your dorm room fine, but will have trouble penetrating beyond the walls and will also make detecting and triangulation quite difficult
mat@linux.community 2 months ago
So technically I should get away with connecting the router and making an AP right? I can’t do a hotspot from my laptop because the performance is not high enough for streaming (this is why I bought a dedicated router).
cm0002@lemmy.world 2 months ago
In that case I would pickup a cheap USB Ethernet dongle (or 2 if the laptop doesn’t have an onboard one)
Wall > Ethernet 1 and router > Ethernet 2
Configure windows to share Ethernet 1 connection to Ethernet 2 (Builtin functionality since Windows 7 iirc)
Configure the router for minimal power to the radios, use your laptop to handle captive portal and there should be no DHCP interference concerns with the Windows laptop on the middle in this fashion
Boom done, congratulate yourself a lil for a small win over corporate greed lol
mp3@lemmy.ca 2 months ago
Also, connectjng an access point that doesn’t broadcast its SSID has another side effect: all devices configured to connected to it will broadcast a signal to search for that hidden AP instead, so it makes you even easier to track down anywhere else.
pivot_root@lemmy.world 2 months ago
That’s assuming they’re actively looking. Hiding your SSID is more to prevent someone from getting suspicious and calling out the ISP.