Would you see more than a 15-20% drop in performance in downloads if someone was sharing your internet connection without your knowledge?
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by skofarrell:
If someone wants to hack a bank using my AP while sitting in my residential driveway (given the range that's where they have to be sitting), have at it.
Maybe its my hardware, but I see a 15-20% drop in throughput when WEP is on.</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by skofarrell:
If someone wants to hack a bank using my AP while sitting in my residential driveway (given the range that's where they have to be sitting), have at it.
Maybe its my hardware, but I see a 15-20% drop in throughput when WEP is on.</font>
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by skofarrell:
My home AP isn't protected. I don't want the overhead of WEP (which causes a performance hit). My PCs are running current patched XP with a software firewall, so its remote that you're getting in. I could care less if someone wanted to use my cable company's bandwidth. And from what I've read, hacking WEP is pretty trivial for someone that really wants to get in.
Our Work AP's aren't protected either, but the hitch is that they are all attached to our "bastion" subnet, which is where our internet/external servers sit. To use wireless, you have to VPN in, even though you're in the building. Again, I think out telecom guys aren't concerned if someone wants to use it for some freeloading surfing.
[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 01-18-2003).]</font>
A performance drop is only an issue if you are networking more pc's. If all you do is wireless broadband then the drop won't be noticable as I presume you don't have an 11mbit cable/dsl???<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by skofarrell:
My home AP isn't protected. I don't want the overhead of WEP (which causes a performance hit). My PCs are running current patched XP with a software firewall, so its remote that you're getting in. I could care less if someone wanted to use my cable company's bandwidth. And from what I've read, hacking WEP is pretty trivial for someone that really wants to get in.
Our Work AP's aren't protected either, but the hitch is that they are all attached to our "bastion" subnet, which is where our internet/external servers sit. To use wireless, you have to VPN in, even though you're in the building. Again, I think out telecom guys aren't concerned if someone wants to use it for some freeloading surfing.
[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 01-18-2003).]</font>
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by UALOneKPlus:
Would you see more than a 15-20% drop in performance in downloads if someone was sharing your internet connection without your knowledge? </font>
Again, since the range of 802.11b is so limited and I live in a residential neighborhood, I'd politely ask the hacker to to get off of my driveway. Since you can't see the signal on the street in front of my house (I've checked), that would end the hacking.<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by UALOneKPlus:
Would you see more than a 15-20% drop in performance in downloads if someone was sharing your internet connection without your knowledge? </font>
No one is going to hack my network, and my PCs are "secure enough" (for the data that's stored on them).
Since the tap for my cable modem is just down the street, wouldn't this residental hacker have an easier time hacking the broadband directly than the 1-2mbps signal in my driveway?
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
A performance drop is only an issue if you are networking more pc's. If all you do is wireless broadband then the drop won't be noticeable as I presume you don't have an 11mbit cable/Dal???</font>
Scott, <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
A performance drop is only an issue if you are networking more pc's. If all you do is wireless broadband then the drop won't be noticeable as I presume you don't have an 11mbit cable/Dal???</font>
I use the wireless attached PCs for more than just broadband surfing.
When I first got my wireless AP I tested file copies from the wireless PCs to my home server with the machines in their intended location and line of sight in the same room. I saw a noticeable drop in performance when WEP was enabled.
If I were in a urban setting I'd likely care more. since I'm in the 'burbs, the risk is so low that I don't feel it is necessary to carry the WEP overhead.
Again, I'm running an NT/XP network with domain security, and I'm not sharing every folder o the PC to the world. An experienced hacker could get in 'm sure, but I doubt he'd be very interested in my data.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by skofarrell:
Scott,
I use the wireless attached PCs for more than just broadband surfing.
When I first got my wireless AP I tested file copies from the wireless PCs to my home server with the machines in their intended location and line of sight in the same room. I saw a noticeable drop in performance when WEP was enabled.
If I were in a urban setting I'd likely care more. since I'm in the 'burbs, the risk is so low that I don't feel it is necessary to carry the WEP overhead.
Again, I'm running an NT/XP network with domain security, and I'm not sharing every folder o the PC to the world. An experienced hacker could get in 'm sure, but I doubt he'd be very interested in my data.
</font>
Then, in your case it makes sense. For home users in residential areas I'd always advise to use WEP AND the MAC security, that and of course turning OFF netbios on all machines unless it's really needed...<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by skofarrell:
Scott,
I use the wireless attached PCs for more than just broadband surfing.
When I first got my wireless AP I tested file copies from the wireless PCs to my home server with the machines in their intended location and line of sight in the same room. I saw a noticeable drop in performance when WEP was enabled.
If I were in a urban setting I'd likely care more. since I'm in the 'burbs, the risk is so low that I don't feel it is necessary to carry the WEP overhead.
Again, I'm running an NT/XP network with domain security, and I'm not sharing every folder o the PC to the world. An experienced hacker could get in 'm sure, but I doubt he'd be very interested in my data.
</font>
Well, after the discussion (and the help! Thanks!) on
http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/000218.html
I picked up a wireless PC card today. Took it home, installed it, and I am now surfing on someone else's connection! Very weird feeling. I too am in the suburbs, and I assume I must have a very near neighbor running a Wireless network. The i.d. only says "linksys."
http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/000218.html
I picked up a wireless PC card today. Took it home, installed it, and I am now surfing on someone else's connection! Very weird feeling. I too am in the suburbs, and I assume I must have a very near neighbor running a Wireless network. The i.d. only says "linksys."
markbach,
Point well taken, but chances are you're looking at lots of APs provided courtesy of the country's oldest and biggest open wireless network. Or it could be the free, open wireless Internet access provided in that neighborhood by the King County Library System in that neck of the woods. Or one of the many coffee shops that provide free wireless net access.
Just because the network is accessible to you doesn't mean it's a security issue. Seattle's a pretty nice town, and there are lots of folks who don't mind sharing.
-alan in seattle
Point well taken, but chances are you're looking at lots of APs provided courtesy of the country's oldest and biggest open wireless network. Or it could be the free, open wireless Internet access provided in that neighborhood by the King County Library System in that neck of the woods. Or one of the many coffee shops that provide free wireless net access.
Just because the network is accessible to you doesn't mean it's a security issue. Seattle's a pretty nice town, and there are lots of folks who don't mind sharing.
-alan in seattle
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cblaisd:
Well, after the discussion (and the help! Thanks!) on
http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/000218.html
I picked up a wireless PC card today. Took it home, installed it, and I am now surfing on someone else's connection! Very weird feeling. I too am in the suburbs, and I assume I must have a very near neighbor running a Wireless network. The i.d. only says "linksys." </font>
If you're on their network with your wireless card and no external antenna they must be VERY close. IMO it's your next door neighbor and their AP is next to the external wall that faces the room you're using your laptop in. Either that or they're running some sort of external antenna. <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cblaisd:
Well, after the discussion (and the help! Thanks!) on
http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/000218.html
I picked up a wireless PC card today. Took it home, installed it, and I am now surfing on someone else's connection! Very weird feeling. I too am in the suburbs, and I assume I must have a very near neighbor running a Wireless network. The i.d. only says "linksys." </font>
The Linksys wireless router/AP combo is VERY popular... $5 says you can go to HTTP://192.168.1.1 and get into their router configuration pages. If you want to try it, don't put anything in the Name/User ID box and type admin (lowercase) in the password box. Also try http://192.168.254.254 , another popular one
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by alanw:
markbach,
Just because the network is accessible to you doesn't mean it's a security issue. Seattle's a pretty nice town, and there are lots of folks who don't mind sharing.
-alan in seattle</font>
AMEN.<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by alanw:
markbach,
Just because the network is accessible to you doesn't mean it's a security issue. Seattle's a pretty nice town, and there are lots of folks who don't mind sharing.
-alan in seattle</font>
FlyerTalk Evangelist
I just picked up a 802.11b PCMCIA card for use on our companies internal WiFi net.
I'm more concerned, with respect to using random, unsecured 802.11b access points, with maintaining the security of my own companies network.
If you can see them, they can see you
birdstrike
I'm more concerned, with respect to using random, unsecured 802.11b access points, with maintaining the security of my own companies network.
If you can see them, they can see you
birdstrike
In Memoriam
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by birdstrike:
I just picked up a 802.11b PCMCIA card for use on our companies internal WiFi net.
I'm more concerned, with respect to using random, unsecured 802.11b access points, with maintaining the security of my own companies network.
If you can see them, they can see you
birdstrike</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by birdstrike:
I just picked up a 802.11b PCMCIA card for use on our companies internal WiFi net.
I'm more concerned, with respect to using random, unsecured 802.11b access points, with maintaining the security of my own companies network.
If you can see them, they can see you
birdstrike</font>
If a company has unsecured random access points, then somebody deserves to lose their job. There isn't any excuse for a company to have their network open to anybody.
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cordelli:
If a company has unsecured random access points, then somebody deserves to lose their job. There isn't any excuse for a company to have their network open to anybody.</font>
Of course. I was actually thinking about the added risks of accessing a secure network from a "free" access point located in some random strangers house. I believe our VPN software is secure in that environment, but I'm still thinking theough the ramifications...<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cordelli:
If a company has unsecured random access points, then somebody deserves to lose their job. There isn't any excuse for a company to have their network open to anybody.</font>