Wireless network Security

[crocodile]

Ive just set up a new wireless network :
pc 1 wired connection
pc2 usb wireless connection
and my laptop wireless card
both pcs XP Pro lappy XP Home.
Adsl wireless router 11g from 3 Com.
Can any one suggest how to test the security of the network I think ive set it up as secure as possible ...

[Sinister-wolf]

using the WEP encryption on your router, it helps to block most people from connecting the server.

get a friends laptop (not configured to your network).
have him try to connect with his networks finder [programs.)

if he connects, its unsecure.
if he connects, but has the 'limited or no connectiviy' you should be fine.
if he doesnt connect.- he cant see your network. Oo


if you use 128+bit keys you should be fine, if you dont,
you'd better start to learn longer passwords. a good 5 words saying is adequet.

best way, less chance of anyone intruding,



but you could always be the sport,

if you have unlimited internet bandwidth, you 'could' leave your internet connection sharing on, and not sharing your home network.
it would be nice to be able to use the internet when trying to find directions using a laptop driving down through a city.

Im ethical. I just use it to browse and send quick emails.

i dont search your network.-and Im sure there's alot more like me, compared to those who actually hack for no reasons (there's nothing profitable on your computer unless you're a large comany).


(Laptops are nicer than onstar, at least for the fact they can be used as a entertainment system in your cars. - using voicerec programs makes music a breeze . just plug'n'say.)*


uh.. so yeah, encrypt your network.






* I had no idea what I put there?\Oo:wave:

[crocodile]

thanks fro the reply Ill get my neighbour to try it .
As to sharing my connection I would have no problem leaving my connection open but it would have to be controlable and secure how would i go about setting this up

[bAdWaYz]

Could just be me here but I wouldn't leave it open at all if you aren't savvy with network security in the first place. Even if a person can't brows the LAN side if they can hit the router and change the password they can lock you out. If they get access to the router its also just a matter of time before they get into the LAN. All it takes is one good hole and the rest will fall. While most people may indeed be "ethical" there are those that aren't and if you give them an inch they will take your network. Besides those reasons think about this; who wnats 16 year old Timmy from down the street using your connection to download music off a p2p then the RIAA comes knocking on your door? I wish we lived in a world that open access points could be shared and everyone could just walk around connected all the time, but sadly its not. So IMHO I would lock it down and enjoy it for yourself.

[crocodile]

My nieghbour can see my network but cant access it so I think it will stay that way. Thanks for the advice

[MadMedic]

I wouldn't leave it open either. If I were you I would turn of the SSID broadcast then no one can see your network. Then they won't even think to try and get in....cause they won't know it's there. :-)

[Sinister-wolf]

good point badwayz, but the RIAA is a crock of buffalo balls.

[crocodile]

Thanks for the pointers guys how would i turn off ssid broadcast

[MadMedic]

Just access the routers setup menu and there should be a checkbox for it in there somewhere. It's in a different spot for each brand router.

[Archangel122184]

Let me tell you that there is zero point to turning off the SSID broadcast. It take literally no special skills to find and access a network that doens't broadcast the SSID.

I shouldn't post in this topic because I'm a specialist in network security so I get a little crazy about it... But like bAdWaYz, you need the security. My recomendation would be to use network encryption, WEP 128 at the minimum, preferably hardware AES2.

[bAdWaYz]

hehe I don't need the security at all. Matter of fact my router at home is wide open. Yes you can find access points with the SSID turned off and yes you can get into just about anything you want. Look folks the fact of the matter is any system can be cracked, hacked, and otherwise molested depending on the time and or money a person wants to put into it. Nothing is 100% safe from a savvy and motivated person or persons. So you can slow them down a bit or make it harder for them thus they may move on to a less locked down system. WEP 128 bit should be more than fine for household stuff so go with that but I wouldn't even waste my time worriying about locking it down to the point that you feel safe. Feeling safe is the first step in being taken over hehe.

[MadMedic]

If he's got a G router then it should have WPA right? Yes turning off ssid doesn't make it undetectable, but it will stop the average Joe Shmoe who looking for free access. Like bad said it's all about the effort that one wants to put in to get in. Heck why even change the default password, just make it easy for them.

edit: Ok after just doing a simple online search and reading for 5 minutes I realize the error of my ways thinking that ssid will do much for security, however it still will make it harder for joe shmoe. If he really wanted to crack down he has to do a lot more such as enabling WPA, using strong passwords, using mac filtering. I'm no expert but by the time I'm done I will be. When will I be done??? When I'm dead. My experience and knowledge are relative.