As you can see in the nearby figure, each network includes a name and a description. Look at the description. If it's an ad hoc network, it will be called a "computer-to-computer" network; normal wireless networks are simply called wireless networks. In the figure, the "Free Airport WiFi" network is an ad hoc network. You should stay away from it

There are other steps you can take to make sure you don't accidentally connect to an ad hoc network created by a scamster. For example, you can make sure that XP never connects to an ad hoc network. To do it:

1. Click the wireless icon in the System Tray.

2. Click "Change advanced settings."

3. Select the Wireless Networks tab.