Re: [NTLK] Problem with WiFi

From: Brian (bmcewen_at_comcast.net)
Date: Fri Jan 23 2004 - 04:32:43 PST


On Thursday, January 22, 2004, at 11:53 PM, newtontalk_at_newtontalk.net
wrote:
> I am unsure whether or not to try and get 128 bit WEP working, I have
> read that 40/68 bit WEP isn't worth the hassle, but doesn't 128 bit
> give you some security that is harder to crack, but not impossible.
>

Well, it might take a little longer, but there are a couple
downloadable sniffer/decryptor utils for Windows and Unix, there's
really no reason to use WEP. If you don't use it, life is easier for
you and someone who wants can monitor your stuff. If you do use it,
life is harder for your and someone who wants can STILL monitor you :)
It's your call.

> Does turning WEP off mean anyone can join my network and start helping
> themselves to my bandwidth?
>

If you do not use MAC address filtering, yes. MAC (not Apple Mac, MAC)
address filtering is a config tab in your wireless router config,
somewhere. You type in the MAC address of the wireless cards that you
wish to allow access to the router. The MAC address is the 00:0x:13:
etc etc ID that is printed on the back of your wireless PC card or
somewhere on your PCI cards for desktops.

Your router will then only accept traffic from those cards. It's not
perfect, MAC addresses are spoofable and it's possible for someone who
wants, to spoof one of your allowed addresses, and then they could use
your access point just like you can, but it's more work and so many
people have unsecured home routers, I don't think it's likely someone
would bother.

HTH,

Brian

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