Trusted Networks and trusting...


try not to trust all networks...

When an Apple Mac which is using Airport Extreme startsup it tried to connect to one of its trusted networks automatically.

If it can't find a trusted network it will see if an open network is available and attempt to connect to that.

It will then ask if you if you wish to join the network.



The box also asks you if you want to Remember this Network, checking this box adds the network to your list of trusted networks and the default is checked.

Now normally this is fine as most people are quite happy to do this, as the next time the Mac is in the vicinity of that wireless network, it will automatically join that network.

However if your wireless spectrum is quite crowded, say in a block of apartments (flats) you may find that your Mac will automatically connect to a neighbour's network rather than your own as at one time you *mistakenly* added the neighbour's network to your list of trusted networks.

There is no easy way to delete the list of trusted networks (delete all airport plist files) and even then that doesn't always work and you also need to create a new location in Networks in System Preferences.

I now always to not add the network to my list of trusted networks until I really really trust the network.

I always uncheck the Remember this Network box whenever I join a new wireless network.



This will ensure that it is not added to my list of trusted networks, so if I have connected to the *wrong* network I can avoid the hassle of my Mac always connecting.

Of course once I am confident about the status of the wireless network I only need to check the box and it will be added to my list.

Posted: Mon - July 25, 2005 at 12:23 PM         | |

©