Wireless networks -- How secure are they?

[jpr62902]

I've been considering setting up a wireless network at home so I can have internet access in different rooms on separate floors. My coworker was telling me that the wireless network card in her new laptop picked up 4 different wireless networks. Each connection showed the username, and the fact that it was an unsecure network. One of these connections was her neighbor's. I was shocked to hear of this. Is it that easy to hack into a wireless network (not that my coworker was trying to hack into anything)? Can other cards pick up stuff that would be uploaded from my computer to the net?

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

If you just take the stuff out of the box and plug it in its very easy to hop on someone elses network. All of them have WAP security options that have to be setup to be secure. So yea, it can be.. but outta the box its not.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I've had a wireless network in my house for over a year and have had no problems. There are security settings you can choose to lock out anyone & everyone from using your network.

Distance is also an issue. My network has a 150' maximum transmission limit and that is assuming no walls get in the way. As my house is more than 150' away from any other structure, my neighbors could not pick up my signal. I've actually tested my unit by trying to connect to my own network from out in the driveway. It wouldn't do it. But I can connect up to the network when sitting on the porch or from the hot tub out back!

Also there is a 50' high speed limit on most wireless networks, so you connect up at high speed only within the 50' radius, and the speed drops off rapidly outside of that area. The practical issue is that if someone could tie into your signal and not be seen by you, they are very likely going to be at such a slow connection that it would make "dial up" look good.

For me the best part of the wireless network is having printers on multiple floors of the house and being able access any of them from any of the laptops at any time.

 

[gws]

Your coworker didnt hack anything and the user name was an ssid. Wirless networks can be incsecure or secure, Your choice on how you set it up. If you take it out of the box and plug it in, your open for you and any neighbor to listen or connect in.

 

[MossRoad]

With a directional antenna, our wireless network works 17 miles away. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> I've been considering setting up a wireless network at home so I can have internet access in different rooms on separate floors. </font>

Have you thought about trying to wire the rooms you wish the conventional way? It sure is alot easier to wire as you are building the house, but I have wired 2 bedrooms upstairs, the family room and kitchen area on the main level and 3 connections down in the basement post-construction. My cable modem and router are in a small storage closet in the basement.

I have heard the wireless networks are pretty inconsistent -- but that's just what I've heard from some neighbors that have a wireless network.

 

[MikePA]

Is it as secure as a wired network, no. With 128 bit WEP security, don't broadcast SSID and set the AP up to only accept defined MAC addresses it's good enough for a home environment and most work environments.

I just replaced my 802.11b with 802.11n which has speeds up to 108 mbps plus an 800' range. With performance like that, companies will have to start seriously evaluating why they need a wired network.

As Neil said, out of the box, most wireless set ups are ripe for exploitation.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> I have heard the wireless networks are pretty inconsistent -- but that's just what I've heard from some neighbors that have a wireless network. </font>

I actually have 2 wireless networks. One at home and one at work. I've had no problems with either one. I have had some connection problems at work, but those were software issues on the computers and not any problems with the network itself. I've found the wireless network to be easier to use inside the house (I had my house strung with Cat 5 wire when we built) because I don't have to wire the actual device, especially those that are 802.11 compliant, just plug them in and they are automatically on the network.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Like Mike said, it's as secure as you make it. We have a wireless network at church, and with 3 layers of security set up, it's about as secure as anything gets these days. It's also very consistent in terms of range and speed, and the only time it's gone down was when the DSL line dropped or the modem needed to be reset (about 3 times in the past year).

Actually, none of those problems were related to the wireless network, so I guess it hasn't gone down at all. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> With 128 bit WEP security, don't broadcast SSID and set the AP up to only accept defined MAC addresses </font>

We have access to software that defeats WEP and guesses the encryption key in just a few seconds after monitoring enough packets.

We have access to software that will force a WLAN to reveal the SSID to us in about 30 seconds.

Use choice #3. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif