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-   -   Packet Sniffers (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/498593-packet-sniffers.html)

thegingerman Dec 2, 2005 6:45 am

Great explanation, thanks!

mbreuer Dec 2, 2005 9:19 am


Originally Posted by SpaceBass
...When you use a 63bit password WPA is uncrackable- mathmatically speaking.
...
-N

Many believe that if it's allowed to be commercially available it's only because the NSA has already developed a means to crack it. AFAIK, the only technology which is uncrackable given our current understanding of mathematics and the laws of physics is Quantum encryption. I would agree that your 63 bit password WPA is sufficiently safe for the typical user. In general, the goal is to keep the cost of cracking the system above any potential benefit to the cracker.

ClueByFour Dec 2, 2005 10:28 am


Originally Posted by ScottC
FREAK :D

You can't use a GUI mail client on a 9600 baud terminal, either.

SpaceBass Dec 2, 2005 10:36 am


Originally Posted by mbreuer
Many believe that if it's allowed to be commercially available it's only because the NSA has already developed a means to crack it. AFAIK, the only technology which is uncrackable given our current understanding of mathematics and the laws of physics is Quantum encryption. I would agree that your 63 bit password WPA is sufficiently safe for the typical user. In general, the goal is to keep the cost of cracking the system above any potential benefit to the cracker.


You know- I agree with you.
I think there was a time when PGP was uncrackable- and maybe still is- and there was that export only version... that was about the EXACT same time that law makers started talking about cracking down on the internet.
I remember this GREAT article on using a track from an audio CD as the key... so basically I could send you a file and then if we both had Willie Nelson's greatest hits you could you "The red headed stranger" as the key and I'd never have to risk sending it seperatly... I was blown away at the time. So I started thinking... hummm NSA, etc cannot make a public stink about this being a danger, but they can crack down on internet comerce, regulations, etc.
I suspect a super computer could crack WPA with a 63bit passphrase in a few hours (who knows... days, minutes...?) but I'm more worried about what is in index.dat in the windows folder (entire computer usage history perhaps?)

Sorry... derailed the thread with consipricy theroy... and No I don't live at home in my parent's basement :)

stimpy Dec 4, 2005 5:16 am

Actually WPA isn't really that good. For top level you want WPA2 which is supported in most equipment nowadays. WPA uses TKIP which is software based, slow and just a trumped up WEP. WPA2 uses AES encryption which is military level, yet licensed free for the whole world to use. Better yet most WiFi products include AES support in hardware so it doesn't slow things down.

However most public wifi doesn't use any security so you should run a layer 3 VPN and then you will have no worries.


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