[CTS] Re: Wireless networking
- From: "Russ Blakeman" <rhb57@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <computertalkshop@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2004 15:44:55 -0500
One way to cure security problems in some cases involves changing the
equipment (if possible) to non-US standards - some afetr market firmware or
the use of a company's firmware for Japan allows the use of channels not
available in the US - such as 14. Yes it does work but should you get caught
you would be in non-compliance of FCC regs and might get a fine or lose the
gear. I can also bump the wattage on my router/AP unit using the aftermarket
up or down - therefore not using the factory set wattage and by dropping it
to a wattage that works I can decrease the area that I'm open in. The use of
directional antennas such as "cantenna" types for point to point outside
also reduces the risk area for someone to be able to even pick up the signal
from your network - it even helps with an indoor system since the signal is
all concentrated to one area rather than spread in a 360 degree circle -
but- if you want the mobility indoors to move around then omnidirectional is
a necessity. While some things like netstumbler can pick up the hidden SSID
it's still less vulnerable if broadcast of SSID is off. Also the use of an
SSID that's your own along with changing the router/access point's IP
address and administration password all help defray an attack as does the
use of encoded security.
The material that a building is covered in is also a factor - I took
netstumbler and my laptop out the other day - the reduced signal of the
WRT54G along with the aluminum siding on the building makes it where someone
has to be in my driveway to pick it up - my neighbors couldn't pick it up if
they tried (as I tried and I'm MAC'd into the network - not enough signal at
my neighbor's house even with a 21dbi parbiolic facing my house).
> -----Original Message-----
> From: computertalkshop-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:computertalkshop-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Eric C. Vogel
> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 9:30 AM
> To: computertalkshop@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [CTS] Re: Wireless networking
>
>
> MAke sure it has WPA-PKI like the WGR614v4 below. That is what I
> use. Since
> my SmartDisplay is b and does not know what WPA is I have to leave up a
> Microsoft MN-500 that can be hacked.
> For everything else connects to the NetGear via b or g (Laptop
> also only b)
> with WPA-PKI with the encryption key at the default to change every hour.
>
> Also see:
> http://www.computertalkshop.com/faq/wifi%20security.htm
>
> I do not see the point of turning off SSID anymore, as
> NetStumbler will find
> it anyways. I guess it could stop a niebor who does not have
> NetStumbler....
>
> I am the only one that has one in my range. But when Channel 7
> went looking
> for open ones, they found them all over and open. And even knocked on the
> door and told them and the security expert securied the network
> for them for
> free. Not he did not attempt to connect. He used NetStumbler's
> info. The new
> one lists the IP's for the Microsoft ones. Grrr...
>
> Seems I need to update that webpage a little.
>
> Thank you,
> Eric Vogel
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ross Nelson" <ross@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <computertalkshop@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 8:33 AM
> Subject: [CTS] Re: Wireless networking
>
>
> > Go with 802.11b or g; a is incompatible with those. g is the fastest
> > available to consumers today at 54MBps while b is 11MBps. Cards that
> > can do g can do b (I know of none that can't -- anyone?)
> >
> > As far as the wired end of things, you can either go with a wireless
> > router or an AP. If the friend already has a router of sorts
> > (dedicated computer, box router (Linksys, Netgear, etc)), go with an
> > AP. A friend of mine got a .g router for a great price and already has
> > an OpenBSD system doing his routing. It took him a few days to get the
> > wireless router to play as an AP instead of trying to route (or maybe
> > he made it route to the rest of the lan? I can't remember -- headache
> > either way). If said friend doesn't have a router or is looking to
> > replace the current one, a wireless router has a nice easy web config
> > as expected. The friend of mine went with a .g Netgear WGR614 [1] I
> > believe...should be easy for anyone to set up with basic networking
> > skills.
> >
> > Ross
> >
> > [1] http://netgear.com/products/prod_details.php?prodID=174&view=hm
> >
> > On Jun 7, 2004, at 12:58 AM, Vernon Balbert wrote:
> > > I'm about to install a wireless networking setup for a friend. Since
> > > this is nothing I've ever attempted before, I have questions about
> > > what equipment to use, which standards, etc. I plan on doing research
> > > in other places, but if anybody has any tips or can warn me about
> > > potential pitfalls, I would appreciate it.
> >
> >
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