Unsecured Wifi

[Guille_Expat]

Hey can u guys help settle an argument.

My neighbor downstairs the so called pc tech specialist. I noticed on my router his network is unsecured and open for the pickings. My wireless router is secure.

I asked him about it and he told me he doesn't secure his wireless, because it doesn't matter or affect his signal. "But it leaves you open and vulnerable" I told him "and other people are using up your signal as well". He said it doesn't affect it all!

I'm like hmm okay dude. So who's right? I'm no pro on wireless, but I think his information is screwed up!

[Midknyte]

someone could potentially tag into his network to access his computer or just steal bandwidth. there are lots of articles on wifi security, so just google some up.

http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

[Ol'Tunzafun]

If someone else has been downloading movies under the watchful eye of the RIAA, it will be him being sued. That single Mom, recently persecuted (sic) to the fullest extent of the law, by the RIAA, was hung out to dry only on the strength of an IP address provided by an ISP; there was nothing on her harddrive.
The kiddie-porn pervs are no doubt wardriving these days.

[rmanet]

My neighbor downstairs the so called pc tech specialist

yeah right - this guy is no specialist ,and he's stupid when he thinks he's not going to have issues - sounds like you guys live in apartments - his only hope is that he has a faint signal and only his immediate neighbors can cause him problems.

[Sterling_Aug]

Sounds like the perfect neighbor to live next to. I would love free Internet access and then let him get sued by the RIAA if I downloaded any copyrighted material. The rest of your building could be having a field day all at his expense and he obviously would have no clue, since he is already clueless.

[Guille_Expat]

Yeah u guys are right he is clueless! I tried to tell him, but he wouldn't listen. So I just came back upstairs. Oh well. I even printed a few pages from google to show him, it didn't matter.

Ur right rmanet, we live in apt complex near downtown near the prk. Actually his signal is pretty strong. Yeah I'm thinking of cancelling my cable bundle :r But he's the expert? He still wont say what company he worked for has a tech support specialist. :rolleyes:

[RamonGTP]

Maybe one of the neighbors is the tech specialist and convined your friend that securing the wifi does nothing for him. Meanwhile that neighbor has free internet access. :)

[Nightblade]

LOL I love the so called PC Experts, anyone else notice primarily that "PC Experts" are a strange breed and "think" they know everything, with out any room for input?

This also brings up my fundamentals as why I get questioned, why I disappear and just reappear from Forums, like this one. I, occasionally, get asked. It's because I get sick of this attitude from so called PC Experts, and the flaming from ignorant posters that just love to see their post counts rise.

Those us of that could be considered Experts that try to assist the others on forums and refrain from the flaming, realize that we dont know as much as we would like about the PC industry and we understand that a forum can help us sharpen our knowledge and that it creates a nice environment to help share and learn more about the PC industry

-sry rant off-

guille, unless he has a clue, which from what you ve said I dont believe he does free feel to hop on his network for some free internet

Lol wont say what company he worked for a tech specialist prolly cause he just read from the old book asking the generic settings for someones ill-fated problems

but for example I have a OPEN wireless NET that is unlocked as far as encryption as all the encryption creates an overhead on the network, but I use the MAC-address filtering on my Linksys Router and the main internet signal comes into the modem and then hits my Cisco router then my other routers, so I am not too worried about my security settings, but then again I know what I am doing and I do not recommend doing this unless you fully realize the liabilities of performing such actions

[Guille_Expat]

I recently checked his signal and it's very low! Other neighbors are using his connection and are very happy :D Oh well, I don't tell him anything, I just say "okay dude"

Besides when I had problems with my video screen and I didn't realize that it was my video card drivers. He told me I needed to clear my cache & cookies :rolleyes:

Of course I posted here on SysOpt after talking to him and got the correct solution.

He reminds me of Cliff Claven on Cheers!

Thanks :t

[Nightblade]

Besides when I had problems with my video screen and I didn't realize that it was my video card drivers. He told me I needed to clear my cache & cookies :rolleyes:


lol i think thats the textbook answer for everything LMAO

[Sterling_Aug]

lol i think thats the textbook answer for everything LMAO

He forgot to tell you to do a defrag when the video card drivers were not working. That would have made a huge difference...LOL

[BadDriver]

I'd use his account and download some free tunes. ;) That is the only way you can get your point across I figure.

I have my wireless secured for that very reason. I don't want anybody using it. There is an unsecured in my neighborhood though. I can sometimes pick it up and use it if I felt the urge. My daughter was using it until I made her stop and set her up with my wireless.

The dude is just looking for trouble. :rolleyes:

[BipolarBill]

Although MAC filtering is effective at keeping others off of your network, it is not truly secure because all of that data that's flying around is unencrypted and can be intercepted. This is why Windows warns about unsecured connections.

WEP, WPA and AES are encrypting protocols and should be used whenever possible.

[Nightblade]

Although MAC filtering is effective at keeping others off of your network, it is not truly secure because all of that data that's flying around is unencrypted and can be intercepted. This is why Windows warns about unsecured connections.

WEP, WPA and AES are encrypting protocols and should be used whenever possible.

Exactly why i mentioned, I dont suggest it, unless you know what you are doing.

I should mention that specific WLAN net router have been modifed and basically the gain of the router has been turned down, and I basically use it for just my office in my basement. Plus I know my neighbors and I'm not worried about their relative ability to packet sniff.

WEP is not secure as it just adds a pain to someone packet sniffing, to decode the encyrption but it can be done.

AES is extremely difficult to break the encryption but adds like 30% overhead

So basically i just asked myself, what did I need for security for my WLAN network and basing my knowledge off of that I do know my neighbors, and that they really do not know relivetively anythign about computers, as I have to assist them with just the basics, and that I have checked the signal levels out side of my house and inside with my MetaGeek Wi-Spy 2.4x (http://www.metageek.net/Products/Wi_Spy/) and considering that all the availible WLANs around I have set up, as they didnt have security and being the good neighbor I set them up for them.

so until the day that I notice the unmarked van parked in front of my house, which prolly wont work either as the othe WLAN I have in my attic that one of my neighbor uses for internet access, and my exterior cameras are on, prolly will over power the signal of the WLAN setup in my office in the basement

IMO
If you live in the typical home, and do not see alot of neighbors traffic, I recommend just using WEP, but if you are concerned about security then use an AES encryption WPA2, being more robust than WEP but be prepared for slower thoroughput

more info on security check out Tom's Hardware Guide: WiFi Security FAQ's (http://www.tomsguide.com/us/2006/06/30/wireless_faq_security/)

P.S. when I do notice the van, or someone attempting to gain access to a WLAN of mine I can always use my Remote Directional 2.4GHz Jammer I made, nothign like 1.5 watts of noise at 2.4GHz to ruin someones WLAN adventures. :cool:

[cat6]

QUOTE: Exactly why i mentioned, I dont suggest it, unless you know what you are doing". (concerning MAC Filter).

Knowing what you are doing does not make MAC Filtering more secure.

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Quote: "AES is extremely difficult to break the encryption but adds like 30% overhead".

Not accurate, AES takes much less overhead.

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Quote: "If you live in the typical home, and do not see alot of neighbors traffic, I recommend just using WEP".

Not a good recommendation WEP actually takes more overhead than WPA or WPA-AES, and is easy to break by any one who want to.

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From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.

No Security
MAC______(Band Aid if nothing else is available).
WEP64____(Easy, to "break" by semi knowledgeable people).
WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).
WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to break).
WPA-AES__(Not functionally Breakable)
WPA2____ (Not functionally Breakable).

Note 1: WPA-AES the the current entry level rendition of WPA2.

Note 2: If you use WinXP and did not update it you would have to download the WPA2 patch from Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357

The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless Computer's Card) should state the type of security that is available with your Wireless hardware.

All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass phrase.

Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best possible of one of the Wireless devices.

I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max . of WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.

If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that can do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace the device with a better one.

Setting Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

The Core differences between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 - http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html

[Guille_Expat]

Hey I'm using WPA security on my router. How is that terms of security? If AES is better, is WPA than at least better than WEP?

Any tips on how I can make my network more secure using WPA. I'm using the XP's firewall and I have CounterSpy on active protection. I'm still a little green when it comes to Networks & Security, but trying to learn as much as I can.

[cat6]

Yes WPA is much much better than WEP.

There is No report of braking it by common or knowledgeable users.

There is nothing too much you can do about Wireless beside WPA, or WAP-AES.

Firewall, Couterspy, etc. are protection from the Internet and it is a separate issue that apply to all Networked computers whether they are wired or wireless.

Internet -Basic protection: http://www.ezlan.net/firewall.html

Assemble Freeware Security suit for Internet Connection: http://www.ezlan.net/security.html

.

[Nightblade]

AES is a type of encryption that WPA can use

[cat6]

WPA is WPA

WPA2 is WPA2 (WPA-AES).

Regular WPA can not use AES encryption.

Some old WPA can be upgraded to WPA-AES if the chipset allows it and the and TFirmwware upgrade is availllable.

[cat6]

WPA is WPA

WPA2 is WPA2 (WPA-AES).

Regular WPA can not use AES encryption.

Some old WPA can be upgraded to WPA-AES if the chipset allows it, and the vendor provided new firmware.

[Guille_Expat]

Thanks for the clarification and the links for the info.

[BipolarBill]

Odd - my Linksys WRT54Gs both have WPA+TKIP or AES and another separate selection for WPA2.

[cat6]

There is a lot of confusion in this issue, and I do not know what is on Linksys mind.

WPA – AES usually entails the consumer level using PSK without EAP-TLS.

EAP-TLS relates to the IEEE 802.11x in the Windows Wireless menus.

WPA2 is usually used to describe the enterprise level that complies with the 5 new levels of EAP-TLS.