Wifi Question

I wish I could explain this better but I will try my best.


Here is what I did. I decided I wanted to scan some pictures, so what I did outside of windows, I used the printer wifi setting and WPS of the router to set up the local 10.x ip address. That worked.

Here comes the interesting part. (The computer itself is not connected to the wifi part of the router). I say, I know it is not going to work unless I turn the wife-connection on. I open up the scan settings. Choose network, the 10x ip address shows up. I choose that and it scans. Then if that works, would a printer. Yes, it did but I had to install a driver and this time windows 10 asked if I wanted to share the computer, I said no.

What keeps my neighbor from accessing the 10x ip and turning on my scanner to scan nothing or even use my printer?

MilesAhead,

You notice, no security or pass code was required for the printers IP or the scanner setting.





This will be up through May 26, 2015

groze said:

You notice, no security or pass code was required for the printers IP or the scanner setting.

Of course not. The whole point of a network printer is to be used by the network computers, i.e. anyone who is on your 10.x.x.x network should be able to use the printer.

If you don't want your neighbour to be able to use the printer, you need to make sure your neighbour cannot access your network (not your printer). You usually do this by setting up a decent password on your wifi.

Side Notes:

1. you don't have to connect your PC to the "wifi part of the router" in order to use your wireless printer - you can still use the Ethernet ports on your WAP.

2. if security is paramount, don't use WPS. It's susceptible to brute force which could open up your network to a determined hacker.

groze said:

Referring to number 1. I know that. My question is why didn't the Network passcode security key prompt popup for either the scanner setup and the printer setup? My computer wifi wasn't connected, I always used Ethernet. I also removed the Ethernet code before doing the above.

I can't make a video of the wifi connections because it reveals my neighbors last names or business.

You don't need to hide the 10.x number because a lot of people have that same address. Just search google.

You are looking at it the wrong way.

The printer is not password-protected, your wifi is password-protected. So if you want to restrict access to the printer - you need to restrict access to the network. Since your computer is already part of the network - it can access the printer. Your neighbor cannot access your printer, unless he logs in into your wifi.

But the main point here is that the password you entered on the printer when setting up WPS was to allow the printer to join the network, not the other way around.

RolandJS said:

Guys, Gals, would OP be able to do what is wanted via WPA-2, and not use WPS?

As long as the printer supports it. Then WPS should be turned off at the wifi to improve security.