skip to main content

spurious WiFi connections

3 years ago

Recently I've been seeing a couple of WiFi networks showing up on my iPhone. They are Bond Config KSMWSCE79799 and Bond Config KSMWSCE80181. Also my WiFi-enabled printer shows up! Any idea of what these BOND networks are? I live in the country and my nearest neighbor is about 1000 feet away. However, about two years an electrical contracting business set up shop about 2000 feet away and, about the same distance, there is an electrical power substation.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

luis_pr
3 years ago
"Smart home" equipment in the house perhaps?
mtvhike
Original Author
3 years ago
I don't think I have any. Another spurious WiFi connection was traced to my car! I hadn't realized cars had WiFi, but when I was having it serviced, the service person said that there's an app for my phone which allows me to do many things remotely (which I have no interest in doing!).

As I was typing this, I remembered that the inverters for my newly installed solar panels have a WiFi connection. I don't know why, because they are hard-wired into my router with Ethernet.
Related Discussions
Ethernet.WiFi, XP, W7 & W8 - Networking
Q
Comments (8)
My knowledge is limited so take the following with a grain of salt. I'm going to throw out some thoughts based on a hunch that could be wrong. Hopefully others will help direct the conversation. I think your issue is a router issue and not a Windows one. It's software question not a hardware one. Not all routers have the firmware to host a printer. Maybe the printer has it? I don't know for sure. If your router can handle the job, and if so it would need some installation steps and be unlikely to be plug and play, the printer becomes visible as a Network Printer to other PCs on the network. Just the same as if the printer were connected to a PC and you designate it as a Network Printer and not a Local Printer through the Printer Setup Wizard. The PC stations on a physical network need not be "networked" in a MS sharing system or group sense to use a Network Printer. If your connection (software setting wise) is effective, using the "Connect to Network Printer" option in the Printer Wizard on each PC will show this new printer as an option. Each PC may need to have printer drivers for it to work. A printer connected to a PC can always be shared, and the mix of Windows versions is a non-issue in my experience with the same setup. But, the PC the printer is connected to needs to be on for the printing to work. If it's off, the queue is held until it's turned on. Thoughts from others?
...See More
Non WiFi Network an Old Printer?
Q
Comments (3)
Are there any Cleaning Features you can use. Sometimes this will help when a printer has sat for a while. On my Brother Inkjet (MFC-845cw) I have to clean it numerous times to get it to print correctly. It doesn't get used much (only for Photos on Photo Paper). We have Two Brother Color Laser AIO Printers (MFC-9440cn and DCp9040cn) that are the really workhorses in our printing. Your Printer has a LED Readout and in the Menu you might find the Cleaning Feature. Scroll thru and see if you can find it. Once you find this feature run it several times to see if it helps. I would run it 10-15 times to be sure it's printing correctly!
...See More
Streaming Movies Via WiFi
Q
Comments (17)
Just a thought: I was having trouble using my VUDU Account on my Smart TV in my Bedroom. My wife uses Netflix all the time in there and the one time I try to watch a movie from my VUDU account it would run for 30 seconds and then the screen would go Green (also pixelated). After many hours of trying to figure out what the problem was, I figured out that the Software had been up dated to Accommodate HDX and the TV was only able to play the movies in HD or SD. I wondering if Netflix has a feature where you could adjust the picture resolution like in VUDU. You could then try it at a lower setting. I do have Netflix but have never had any problems. But it may be worth a looking into.
...See More
Laptop WiFi Connectivity Problem
Q
Comments (5)
I just saw your comment, thanks!, and was researching other symptoms that I discovered 2 days ago. I can no longer connect to the Internet from the laptop (Windows 10) but still see networks listed on the laptop when I ask it to show all networks. When I go into 'Manage known networks', only one of my two networks will display (I also see other neighbor's networks) but my tablet works fine and displays both of my networks. I have moved the laptop to other locations in the house but no change. My network listed is set to 'connect automatically when in range'. Airplane Mode is off. Oddly, the base of the laptop has a light with a WiFi symbol that is currently lit orange. The online documentation on the PC does not say what the orange light means. Q. so how do I check my W10 updates? Ever since Windows upgraded from W7, I have no idea where things are any more. ;o( Q. what is a wifi analyzer? and what is a wifi adapter? what does one do with them? take them to a PC Service Shop to take the laptop's old analyzer and adapter and install the new ones on the laptop? Q. what am I looking for... in the utilities link? I looked in the network tools (I assume that is what you were suggesting). Thanks
...See More
luis_pr
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I am not surprised that cars now have that. Mine is a still good 2009 model but the ones I have rented recently are loaded with stuff that needs regular updates because the programs were so crappily made/designed and lack decent security to prevent hacking.
Elmer J Fudd
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I'm not sure why it matters if your phone and other devices are connecting to the correct Wifi signal.

There are many smartphone apps (and similar things on PCs) you can use to see what signals there are where you are. I use Wifi Analyzer on my Android phone. The principal benefit of doing so is to see what channels my neighbors are using and to make sure my Wifi signal is in a less crowded space. Believe it or not, we all seem to be playing a game of musical chairs. I'll change my setting, then someone else joins me and where I am gets crowded, then I move mine, and on and on. I check it every few months.

FYI, on the 2.4 GHz band, the channel selections range from 1 to 11 but signals are several channels wide. Best to stick to 1 or 6/7 or 11. On the 5 GHz band, it's single numbers like 44, 45, 46, etc.

One of my houses is not rural but in a neighborhood of larger lots and it
doesn't matter much. The other has more density and it seems to matter
more there but routers and devices are pretty good at filtering out the
noise from on-air traffic of others.

If your setting is crowded with others, switch to another. Otherwise, I think you can ignore what you see.
mtvhike thanked Elmer J Fudd

Related Stories

HOME TECH Cook Smarter With New Wi-Fi Kitchen Gadgets

Whip up meals with high-tech help, thanks to a phone-connected oven and teakettle, plus a web-surfing cutting board

HOME TECH Wi-Fi: What It Is and How to Make It Work Better in Your House

By Media Rooms Inc

As more devices rely on this technology in the home, it’s good to be prepared

HOME TECH Tote Your Tunes to Any Room With a Portable Wi-Fi Sound System

Free your home's music setup from wires with Wi-Fi speakers that let you take high-quality audio anywhere

HOME TECH Wake Up to the New World of Connected Alarm Clocks

Use your smart phone to enhance your alarm clock, to get more music and better sound than ever before

THE HARDWORKING HOME CES 2015: Inching Toward a Smarter Home

By Mitchell Parker

Companies are betting big on connected devices in 2015. Here’s a look at what’s to come

HOME TECH 3 Security Tips for Your Smart Home Technology

By Kayla Matthews

Put these tips into practice to keep your internet-connected gadgets safe and secure

FARMHOUSES My Houzz: Eclectic Vintage Charm in a Family’s Texas Farmhouse

By Jennifer Perkins

See how this family of 3 created a Wi-Fi- and TV-free weekend home that has a country music theme

LATEST NEWS FOR PROFESSIONALS How to Help Clients Navigate the Latest Smart Tech

By Gwendolyn Purdom

As connected homes become more mainstream, pros can help incorporate the high-tech features their clients want

KITCHEN DESIGN Relocated Colonial Kitchen More Than Doubles in Size

By Jeannie Matteucci

Putting the kitchen in a central location allows for a big boost in square footage and helps better connect it with other living spaces

OUTDOOR KITCHENS New Outdoor Grills for 2019: Small, Smart and Convenient

By Karen Robinson-Jacobs

Pizza ovens, Wi-Fi-connected grills and easy-clean features are seen at the recent Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo

Sponsored

More Discussions

Hard drive removal

5

Can I stop my modem from gathering and sharing our data?

12

UPS needed - which ones?

9

Problems with Outlook 2013

0

Any suggestions for a very secure non-web-based email?

3