Text 8759, 38 rader
Skriven 2005-06-22 06:47:00 av JEFF GUERDAT (1:123/140)
     Kommentar till en text av AUGUST ABOLINS
Ärende: wireless lan security
=============================
On 06-21-05, AUGUST ABOLINS said to ALL:

AA>Got my 1st experience with wireless lan.  A friend has a Linksys router
AA>that connects to one pc by wire.  Two laptops in the vicinity are
AA>wireless.  A brandnew, never-before used laptop was brought into the
AA>vicinity, turned on, and voila.. instant connection.  I would think that
AA>this means that the router is configured unsecurely.  The router acts like
AA>a "free" hotspot, right?   I don't know who was responsible for helping to
AA>hook up the linksys router equipment, but I would have imagined that they
AA>would have configured it to only accept "specific" computers that come
AA>into the vicinity.

By default, right or wrong, all home wireless routers are set up with no
security turned on, hence the ability to take a fresh computer and connect
instantly.  Those who don't know about the security issues are apt to leave it
that way.  WEP may not be perfect but it beats a sharp stick in the eye.  Same
with configuring for only specific computers using the MAC address capability.

AA>I suppose that the only way to configure the router is
AA>via the hardwired pc? And from there we would "hard code" the MAC
AA>addresses of the pcs that are permitted to connect to the router?

You *can* use a wireless computer to do this but any mistyping may cause it to
no longer be able to connect and fix the rpoblem.  I've used the wireless
connection to change my WEP settings but I have the backup of a wired computer
to be sure.

Be aware that many of the security features on home routers can be bypassed.
It's possible for software to spoof the MAC address and for sniffers to glean
the WEP key. Recent articles in trade papers strongly suggest purchasing WPA2
routers for the stronger protection they incorporate.  You also need WPA2
cards and drivers to make use of it, of course.  Just something to ponder if
buying a new setup...


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