202 Part III: Securing Windows Vista
Mapping Your Wireless Networking Capabilities
and Infrastructure
The same features that can be used to work with wired connections can be used to work with
wireless connections. This means that everything you’ve learned about Network Center, Net-
work List, Network Map, and Network Connections can be used to help you work with wire-
less connections. Because Windows Vista represents wireless (IEEE 802.11) as a media type
separate from Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), there are a few differences that should be noted. These
differences are explored in the sections that follow.
Listing and Connecting to Available Wireless Networks
These days, most laptops and portable computers have wireless network adapters, and so do
some workstations. No matter where you are, you can get a list of available wireless networks
in your area and connect to one by using your wireless network adapter.
To view and connect to an available wireless network, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, and then click Connect To.
2. A list of the wireless networks currently available is displayed.
3. Select a network, and then click Connect.
The network list is available only if your computer has a wireless network adapter installed,
the adapter is turned on, and there are no policy settings blocking your computer from
browsing for available wireless networks. If you don’t see the network to which you want
to connect, click the I Don’t See The Networks I Am Looking For link. On the Select A
Connection Option page, select the Show All Connection Options check box. Select the
type of connection that you are trying to use, and then follow the prompts to configure the
connection.
Tip
Some networks are protected with a network security key. To connect to one of
these networks, you must obtain the key from your network administrator or the service
provider.
Connecting to Public Wireless Networks
When connecting to public networks, you might be asked to set up an account and save files
to your computer. Before you do this, however, make sure that you understand which files, if
any, are saved to your computer and what type of information the network provider collects
from your computer. Read the service provider’s privacy statement carefully, and keep in mind
that even if the service provider requires you to create an account, that doesn’t mean that the
connection you are using is secure.
C12622841.fm Page 202 Wednesday, May 17, 2006 1:55 PM
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