Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post

Bungleau · 07-16-2004, 10:54 PM

For reference...

WAP -- Wireless Access Point
WEP -- Wireless Encryption Protocol

Similar, but very different.

Don't think that your WEP key is unbreakable, 'cause it isn't. As has been true for decades, if not centuries, locks are only there to keep honest people honest. Someone who wants to can download cracking software that, if they get enough of a data stream from your wireless connection, can figure out the encryption key.

That's why I use three levels:

1. Don't broadcast the SSID
2. Use WEP
3. Restrict access to only known MAC addresses.

Each NIC has its own unique address. They'd have to know yours to spoof it. Sure, they can guess it... but I'm just trying to make it easier for them to look somewhere else.

And in a related story, at a technical trade show I was at last month, they had an open WAP for the attendees. I checked with Network Stumbler, and found no less than 15 wireless connections available for me to use... most using the SSID of "default" [img]smile.gif[/img]

I guess that's really step zero -- change everything (SSID, password, etc.) from the defaults.

07-16-2004, 10:54 PM	#19
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	For reference... WAP -- Wireless Access Point WEP -- Wireless Encryption Protocol Similar, but very different. Don't think that your WEP key is unbreakable, 'cause it isn't. As has been true for decades, if not centuries, locks are only there to keep honest people honest. Someone who wants to can download cracking software that, if they get enough of a data stream from your wireless connection, can figure out the encryption key. That's why I use three levels: 1. Don't broadcast the SSID 2. Use WEP 3. Restrict access to only known MAC addresses. Each NIC has its own unique address. They'd have to know yours to spoof it. Sure, they can guess it... but I'm just trying to make it easier for them to look somewhere else. And in a related story, at a technical trade show I was at last month, they had an open WAP for the attendees. I checked with Network Stumbler, and found no less than 15 wireless connections available for me to use... most using the SSID of "default" [img]smile.gif[/img] I guess that's really step zero -- change everything (SSID, password, etc.) from the defaults. __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.