Wireless Networks

imported_arppt01 · 31-03-2007, 07:34 AM

It would be interesting to know about your views regarding the security of Wireless Networks. How can one ensure full-proof security in a Wireless Network?

happy2bg33k · 04-04-2007, 11:57 PM

No security is foolproof. Choose a strong type of encryption, not WEP. Even the strongest WEP encryption can be broken without too much effort. Try WPA, or other authenticated systems (Radius servers, etc.). If you really want to be safe, use wireless encryption, then tunnel to a wired system using SSH or similar.

imported_arppt01 · 06-04-2007, 06:14 AM

Thanks happy2bg33k for your suggestions. I think being watchfull all the time does benefit.

happy2bg33k · 07-04-2007, 11:47 PM

I actually had a wifi leecher on my home network a few years ago. I was using 128 bit WEP, but did not change the key for a long time. Someone apparently grabbed enough packets to crack it and was using my connection until I caught on. I use stronger encryption and change keys for often now. But you are absolutely right, being watchful is the key.

imported_I, Brian · 10-04-2007, 12:20 PM

Definitely a good point to make - it's too easy to presume a wireless connection is little different than a landline connection - but even though there are obvious similarities in functionality (ie, connecting to the internet!) the security considerations are significantly different.

PMC Mike · 10-04-2007, 02:09 PM

I think it was said in the second post - "Being watchful is the key". Again, to reiterate what's already been said before - it's also a good idea to use WPA encryption if possible as that's more secure than WEP, and again change your password fairly regularly.

The only way to have a truly secure wireless network is to turn off wireless altogether and use wires.

happy2bg33k · 18-04-2007, 11:22 PM

This is true. Wireless is handy, but not the best way to go. It's actually easy enough to wire your house with CAT5 and install wall jacks if you are handy.

ACCER · 30-04-2007, 05:59 AM

I have both, mostly so I can use my laptop by the pool. For anything important, I use the wired system.

ACCER · 30-04-2007, 06:13 AM

I should add that I read in PC Computing magazine a while back that there is a new encryption being worked on to make wireless networks much more secure.

imported_trick-r-treat · 25-05-2007, 03:26 AM

I know I have listened in on many converstationss that I shouldn't have. There needs to be more security.

31-03-2007, 07:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
imported_arppt01 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 9	Wireless Networks It would be interesting to know about your views regarding the security of Wireless Networks. How can one ensure full-proof security in a Wireless Network?

04-04-2007, 11:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
happy2bg33k Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 16	Re: Wireless Networks No security is foolproof. Choose a strong type of encryption, not WEP. Even the strongest WEP encryption can be broken without too much effort. Try WPA, or other authenticated systems (Radius servers, etc.). If you really want to be safe, use wireless encryption, then tunnel to a wired system using SSH or similar.

06-04-2007, 06:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
imported_arppt01 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 9	Re: Wireless Networks Thanks happy2bg33k for your suggestions. I think being watchfull all the time does benefit.

07-04-2007, 11:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
happy2bg33k Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 16	Re: Wireless Networks I actually had a wifi leecher on my home network a few years ago. I was using 128 bit WEP, but did not change the key for a long time. Someone apparently grabbed enough packets to crack it and was using my connection until I caught on. I use stronger encryption and change keys for often now. But you are absolutely right, being watchful is the key.

10-04-2007, 12:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
imported_I, Brian Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 11	Re: Wireless Networks Definitely a good point to make - it's too easy to presume a wireless connection is little different than a landline connection - but even though there are obvious similarities in functionality (ie, connecting to the internet!) the security considerations are significantly different.

10-04-2007, 02:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
PMC Mike Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 23	Re: Wireless Networks I think it was said in the second post - "Being watchful is the key". Again, to reiterate what's already been said before - it's also a good idea to use WPA encryption if possible as that's more secure than WEP, and again change your password fairly regularly. The only way to have a truly secure wireless network is to turn off wireless altogether and use wires.

18-04-2007, 11:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
happy2bg33k Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 16	Re: Wireless Networks This is true. Wireless is handy, but not the best way to go. It's actually easy enough to wire your house with CAT5 and install wall jacks if you are handy.

30-04-2007, 05:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
ACCER Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 66	Re: Wireless Networks I have both, mostly so I can use my laptop by the pool. For anything important, I use the wired system.

30-04-2007, 06:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
ACCER Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 66	Re: Wireless Networks I should add that I read in PC Computing magazine a while back that there is a new encryption being worked on to make wireless networks much more secure.

25-05-2007, 03:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
imported_trick-r-treat Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 15	Re: Wireless Networks I know I have listened in on many converstationss that I shouldn't have. There needs to be more security.