Optimizing Wifi signal

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Zeal514

Zeal514

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May 18, 2011
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So, im broke and am using my neighbors Wifi. They have Verizon Fios, like the super plan with 80 dl and 50 up, or something to that. I live in a apartment complex, and im like right next door to them, and my computer (using a basic AE2500 Wifi dongle) picks up there wifi decently enough, the pc ssits about 4-5 feet away from the wall (so it does not sit between desk and wall and get hot).

Now I am thinking of moving the PC over like next to the wall, and up high about 5 feet off the ground so it will breath, but before i do this, do you think it will improve the signal that much? What else can I do to optimize the signal im getting, I really dont want to go over and play with there router position channels etc.. They would prolly let me, but still I dont wanna over step any boundries. Ive tried covering the dongle in Tinfoil, Using a satelite dish with the dongle in the receiver cutting a water bottle open wrapping that in tin foil and placing it over the dongle, and non of it has worked, at all. My problem is that I play alot of games, and when I do if it rains my ping gets to be too high, and I believe its the latency between me and the router.
 
Solution
USAFRet
So you're broke. So what. That does not entitle you to free internet access.

Go over and talk to him about (an unauthorized/TOS violation) connection sharing thing. You pay some, he pays some.

If you were my neighbor and trying to use some of my FiOS connection...I own you. You have no idea what data I am logging as you use my router and connection.
You can be as https careful as you want, but you will slip up, and then I got ya.

He may be doing the same. And you will never know until it is too late.
Go buy your own access, or do without.

Sorry if I sound like an asshole, but that's what it is.
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mjmacka

mjmacka

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May 22, 2012
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You shouldn't steal/use your neighbors internet without permission.

Moving your computer won't have much of an effect on the wifi performance. Rain (water), microwaves, heavy duty electronics and many other things interfere with wireless signals. There isn't much you can do to improve the performance in the rain short of blocking the rain.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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So you're broke. So what. That does not entitle you to free internet access.

Go over and talk to him about (an unauthorized/TOS violation) connection sharing thing. You pay some, he pays some.

If you were my neighbor and trying to use some of my FiOS connection...I own you. You have no idea what data I am logging as you use my router and connection.
You can be as https careful as you want, but you will slip up, and then I got ya.

He may be doing the same. And you will never know until it is too late.
Go buy your own access, or do without.

Sorry if I sound like an asshole, but that's what it is.
 
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Solution
fyrye

fyrye

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Jul 1, 2013
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Check the laws in your county and the TOS of the ISP, even WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS PERMISSION, you could face fines and jail time if the ISP reports unauthorized activity from your address.
 
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Zeal514

Zeal514

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May 18, 2011
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The sattelite dish didnt Work.

I do have permission, its a older lady, and her young son, who I help out a whole bunch, drove them to a couple stores and such since they didnt have gas money for the car, and picked up the son from work. I fixed there pc when they fried the psu, and upgraded ram for them, so they arent very PC literate, but they are already in the contract with fios, so they dont mind me using the internet, especially since whenever they need something im the go to guy to figure it out.

I ended up moving my pc over 5 feet, and put it on a Tall shelf, so I got a huge pc on top of the shelf looks weird and clunky, but the signal is a steady 4 bars, sometimes 5. Worked pretty well.
 
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Zeal514

Zeal514

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May 18, 2011
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The sattelite dish didnt Work.

I do have permission, its a older lady, and her young son, who I help out a whole bunch, drove them to a couple stores and such since they didnt have gas money for the car, and picked up the son from work. I fixed there pc when they fried the psu, and upgraded ram for them, so they arent very PC literate, but they are already in the contract with fios, so they dont mind me using the internet, especially since whenever they need something im the go to guy to figure it out.

Going without would make me insane, no cable, no internet, nothing to occupy my mind, no craigslist for potential jobs. I Just quit smoking and need some sort of hobby, I dont have many friends in this area since I just moved to the state, and even if I did, Im to broke to go out and do most fun things anyways.

I ended up moving my pc over 5 feet, and put it on a Tall shelf, so I got a huge pc on top of the shelf looks weird and clunky, but the signal is a steady 4 bars, sometimes 5. Worked pretty well.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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but they are already in the contract with fios, so they dont mind me using the internet, especially since whenever they need something im the go to guy to figure it out.
Click to expand...

They may not mind, but Verizon does:
"Restrictions on Use. The Service is a consumer grade service and is not designed for or intended to be used for any commercial purpose. You may not resell, re-provision or rent the Service, (either for a fee or without charge) or allow third parties to use the Service via wired, wireless or other means. For example, you may not provide Internet access to third parties through a wired or wireless connection or use the Service to facilitate public Internet access (such as through a Wi-Fi hotspot), use it for high volume purposes, or engage in similar activities that constitute such use (commercial or non-commercial). If you subscribe to a Broadband Service, you may connect multiple computers/devices within a single home to your modem and/or router to access the Service, but only through a single Verizon-issued IP address."

just sayin'
 
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fyrye

fyrye

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Jul 1, 2013
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I was originally going to link to the ToS PDF and quote a verizon representative.

If verizon finds out they may cancel the service without the ability for the subscriber to renew (black flagged/banned). May fine the subscriber, yourself, or the apartment complex you live in depending on if they suspect them of offering the service or not. If the apartment complex gets involved, I imagine eviction notices or other issues will arise.
It does usually start off as a warning to the subscriber asking them to cease and desist their activity or else... On that note, all things considered, they usually don't do anything until someone complains or until they do an audit. They periodically audit apartment complexes to ensure the owners are not charging/offering wifi services. They have tools to see which houses/mac addresses are registering with their devices.
"They're sharing their internet why can't I get free internet?" kind of ordeal.

Some other things to take into consideration. Any malware or malicious activity, etc done from your PC will hold the subscriber responsible. Depending on the severity it could also turn into a federal offense if it gets tracked back to your PC; FBI knocking on your door.

In other words, use at your own and neighbors risk and don't get caught... Remember it's not just you it affects, it's your neighbor who is also trying to be kind and unknowingly illegally sharing their connection with you that will get in trouble.

You can go to the library to rent books, movies, participate in groups, and use internet for free..
 
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