Jim Plumb

When looking at your “View Available Wireless Networks” button in Windows, have you ever noticed listings for either of the above? I noticed these today and had no idea where they came from since I live in the boonies, I know what wireless networks I have in my house and I know I can pick up my neighbors unsecured linksys network as well.  I googled the Internet Oasis (FREE) term and found something puzzling: both of these are part of some kind of viral wireless network. I found an article that explains what’s going on: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=602%3E.

It also shows in this article how to delete these wireless traps. One way is to right-click on My Network Places and select properties. You should see an entry for “Wireless Network Connection”. Right-click on that and click on the “Wireless Networks” tab. You’ll see in the middle of that window a list of “Preferred networks”. Find Internet Oasis and Free Public WiFi and remove them from the list. That will prevent you from automatically joining them if you’re in their area. I would also delete any others that you aren’t familiar with.