Wireless warnings

[Amberle3]

Just to preface this - I love my wireless connection. I just got a new laptop and put in a wireless (g) router at home. Love it, love it, love it.

Now I know they're not all that secure, and I have no idea how to go about securing the network. Perhaps someone here can shed light on that.

In the meantime, here's my little wireless warning story:

I'm currently at DFi's apartment. He's moving into a house later this week, and we're going to be buying a wireless router for there so I can use my laptop to access the internet and print and stuff. Following so far?

We're supposed to be going out tonight to buy the router.

I'm online with the laptop NOW.

No router in this apartment. Apparently one of the neighboring apartments must have one, because I'm online. And since the connection speed is 11mps I'm assuming it's a "b" router.

SO, be aware that unless you secure your wireless somehow (how?!) then other people closeby and piggyback on your connection and jump online. Like I'm doing right now!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Good advice, I have my WiFi at home WEP encrypted.

 

[ckj]

Two things we do for our clients at home is

1. Like Miss Jasmine said, put in a "WEP Key". It's 26 Hex Digits long, you'll need to enter it on your router and on any laptop/pc that you want to connect to your router.
If you have a Linksys router this is located under the "wireless" then "wireless security" tab.

2. We disable the broadcast of the Wireless Network Name aka "SSID". We always change them from what they come as default from the factory. For linksys this would be under the "wireless" then "basic wireless settings" tab.

Another thing you could try is, if you know the MAC address of the wireless card you can enter that into an access list on the router to only allow certain MAC addresses to connect and receive an IP Address from the router.
You can do this in Linksys routers, not sure what type you have or if it works as easily on others.

Anyhow, if you just do the WEP Key you should be fine.

 

[RadioNate]

we are WEP encripted here but my neighbor isn't DH's best friend always uses their connection on his laptop so he doesn't have to enter the key for ours. Bad I know.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Originally posted by ckj

Another thing you could try is, if you know the MAC address of the wireless card you can enter that into an access list on the router to only allow certain MAC addresses to connect and receive an IP Address from the router.
You can do this in Linksys routers, not sure what type you have or if it works as easily on others.

Yes, most wireless routers can do this (I know that options from Linksys, Belkin, and Netgear all have this option ... just in different places)

I'm working on creating a guide for my dad on how to add MAC addresses to the "allowed" table, and how to find a MAC address. If anyone's interested, I'll post it when I'm done.

 

[Elwood Blues]

Originally posted by RadioNate
we are WEP encripted here but my neighbor isn't DH's best friend always uses their connection on his laptop so he doesn't have to enter the key for ours. Bad I know.

You shouldn't have to enter the key each time you try to access the wireless network. If you do, you've got a screwy wireless setup that's not very intuitive.

Just like cjk said, mine is setup the same way. Basically WEP is a password that each wireless device has and when it matches the one in the router you gain access.

 

[Elwood Blues]

Oh, and one other thing you shoud do is change the administrative password on the router.

 

[WDWHound]

Be aware that WEP encryption is VERY easy to crack. It keeps honest people honest, but there are tools out there that will crack a WEP key in under a minute. I would go for WEP encryption and MAC verification. This too can be cracked, but its a lot harder and usually not worth the effort.

 

[airhead]

I just posted a thread yesterday about networking my new computer to an already existing one. I was kinda considering it,but not now!!!!

oogieboogie ,I hope you read this!!! Now you know why I afraid to do the wireless thing!!!!

 

[Elwood Blues]

Originally posted by WDWHound
Be aware that WEP encryption is VERY easy to crack. It keeps honest people honest, but there are tools out there that will crack a WEP key in under a minute. I would go for WEP encryption and MAC verification. This too can be cracked, but its a lot harder and usually not worth the effort.

WEP is easy to crack? With a sniffer?

 

[Elwood Blues]

Originally posted by airhead
I just posted a thread yesterday about networking my new computer to an already existing one. I was kinda considering it,but not now!!!!

oogieboogie ,I hope you read this!!! Now you know why I afraid to do the wireless thing!!!!

Unless you live in a high density area (an apartment), you shouldn't be worried. Wireless have a very short range. Under IDEAL conditions it's about 100-200 feet.

There are also a number of other security procedures that you can use to block access to your computers. Unless you need to share files bewteen the computers on the network, you should turn off file sharing.

 

[ErikdaRed]

Also remember to turn of SSID Broadcast (after you change it of course).

 

[Amberle3]

I think you just need to take the same kind of precautions that you would say with a car. You wouldn't leave your car in a parking lot with the doors unlocked or the keys in it.

People tend to forget that even though something is in your house doesn't automatically make it private. They need to take some proactive steps to secure it.

Also, and related, another good reason to NOT give out your credit card number over a cordless phone, I understand those transmissions are fairly easy to pick up.

 

[katerkat]

My FIL helps people beef up their wireless security. He learned about it when he was on his laptop in his car and suddenly discovered he could get online! Just from a house on the street having a wireless connection. So now wireless security is his job.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

This is the extent companies are going to to protect their networks

BAE Systems Wallpaper

The company has produced panels designed to prevent outsiders from listening in on companies' Wi-Fi traffic but let other traffic through, including radio and mobile phone signals.


The FSS (Frequency Selective Surface) panels are made in the same way as printed circuit boards, with layers of copper on Kapton polymer. These materials are also used in stealth bombers and fighter jets. The panels come in two varieties: passive, which is permanently turned on, and active, where various areas can be switched on and off to enlarge or limit the area of the network.

The panels are 50 to 100 microns thick and can be applied to most surfaces, including glass. A company representative said that they also helped reduce "noise" in buildings where a number of companies operate their own separate LANs (local area networks).

BAE Systems developed the new material with $265,000 (145,000 pounds) from the Radiocommunications Agency, which is now part of Ofcom. BAE says the material is cheap. The company will be developing it commercially through its corporate venture subsidiary.

 

[Ted and Holly]

In my apartment, I can pick up five networks other than mine from my living room. I can walk around my apartment and pick up 3 or 4 more. Only half of them have any type of security.

In a situation such as mine, I have MAC filtering and WEP enabled. This may still be vulnerable to persistent hackers, but with so many easy pickings around, I am not worried.

I can walk down to the pool, about 100 yards away and still be on my network.

Beware, however, you are not invisible when you are on someone else's network. If they wanted to, they could attempt to identify you. Using someone else's internet connection can fall under the same laws as splitting off cable. Theft of service.

Ted

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

This is why DH doesn't want to get a wireless router when we get a 2nd computer. Not to mention the thoughts he and the neighbor have had recently regarding the same situation. They best remain thoughts.

 

[Elwood Blues]

I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as each computer has safeguards (no file sharing and it's own firewall). As time goes on, they will tighten up the security as more and more people use it.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Originally posted by Elwood Blues
I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as each computer has safeguards (no file sharing and it's own firewall). As time goes on, they will tighten up the security as more and more people use it.

They most likely will not beef up security further with the current technology. maybe with 802.16, but that is a long way off, unfortunately.

Ted

 

[airhead]

With 2 computers in my house,I was having a hard time making the decision to network or not. thanks for helping me decide.