I noticed some new wireless devices such as ebook readers, wireless bluray players (I dont think I can name brands here.) dont support WPA quite well. Even if they support, the connection get flaky. The obvious choice is to either fall back to WEP OR trash the device.
Internet sometimes feels like slums of Bombay. Cybercrimes are not punished enough. Too many violators. I wish the governments start fishing out the bad elements.
Turning on encryption and mac filtering would drain your performance. If somebody really wants to get into your network, no matter what you do they can. IF they know the macs u have configured, they can configure mimic mac address. Nowadays, programmable NICs can be configured with any MAC. WPA can also be cracked. Hidden SSID can be found out. Best bet, is stop the intruder from entering your system not the network. Prevent intruder from sniffing your network by using SSL.
Re: i don't understand
by Telveer on Dec 09, 2010 12:50 AM
Unsecure is a relative term. There are different levels of unsecure-ness. For example, if you use WEP encryption, it is easy to hack, given the right tools. If you have to use WEP, use it along with MAC filtering, and also disable SSID broadcast and DHCP service. Using WPA is no guarantee of security. I know many people that use simple strings like 12345678 or abcdefgh to protect WPA. Some routers auto-generate WEP/WPA keys which can be calculated by other tools, so it is better to use manually generated keys.
Overall, this article is good but anyone can get this info by doing a google search.
One other point: The industry also needs to wake up to this malice. WiFi Routers should force users to change default usernames and passwords on first setup. They should also force users to use encryption. Even WEP is better than no encryption. Routers should come with intuituve wizards and tools that make it easy even for novice users to set these up. Most routers are too geeky or come with automated wizards that are either too complicated or ask too many questions.
The other new vulnerability is cell phones with internet, wifi and bluetooth. Some users open up their bluetooth so anyone can tether to their phone and use internet. Some devices even offer WiFi service via cellular network. While not as widespread, care should be taken by manufacturers and service providers to ensure such devices are not weak.
This article can be a useful guide for all those having Wi-Fi network based Internet connection. However, while these will be easy to implement at offices with the help of IT professionals, home-users will find it difficult to understand the jargon and procedures. Guess they will have to depend on their service provider to secure their network. Better late than never....
If the above description appears too technical and full of IT jargon for the general users, just go to you tube and type in "How to secure your home wireless network" and you'll get numerous, excellent, easy to follow video tutorials for the same.
For an IT professional information may appear elemenntary but someone who is primarily a user of MS Office and internet, mail etc, the information given can not be put to practical use.
It would be relevant if steps to be followed in the computer like click on which icon/menu, select what, what will appear, what further to select etc. are given by the expert in 'Do it yourself' fashion.
Re: How to secure your wireless network-Wrong heading
by Poor Man on Dec 08, 2010 07:21 PM
IF THIS IS ELEMENTARY THEN LET US HAVE ADVANCE STAGE FROM YOU PLS.........................
