Wifi Network Locations Oddity..

[lvdave]

I am using Windows 7 Pro on a Dell laptop, and frequently use the attwifi accesspoints at Starbucks. I've noticed that nearly every time I go to a different Starbucks, upon connection to the access point, I get the Network type (home/work/public) dialog, where I select public and the dialog creates a new network location like "attwifi 1" "attwifi 2" and so on.. I realize I can merge and delete the additional "attwifi x" locations, but am wondering WHY these get created?? Is windows tracking the AP MAC address to cause these additional network "locations" to be created? and is there any way to stop it from doing this?? no big deal if its just Windows trying to be secure.. My OS of choice is Ubuntu, but my work requires me to use Windows currently..

LVdave

 

[karlsnooks]

Quite normal. And yes, Win 7 has a table of addresses for this purpose.

You can have Win 7 autoconnect to your attwifi location if you desire.

I frequent several Starbuck shops. And yep, there is a different one for each router.

Personally, I like the feature.

 

[lvdave]

Thanks for the reply... As I said, it's not a big deal, was mainly curious.. I *can* see where it might save you from a MITM case, where somebody *in* the Starbucks was advertising a bogus "attwifi" accesspoint and you mistakenly connect to it instead..

Thanks
LVDave

 

[karlsnooks]

the starbucks attwifi is easy to recognize, furthermore, you are routed, at all startbucks sites to the company that handles the logins. At Starbucks you must log in.