Let this be a lesson about Wireless Networks....

[JohnR]

.... and securring your wireless access points

I am at someones house that has no internet access, no telephone, and no cable, no nuttin (damn rabbit ears barely pickup TV stations). Yet I am able with my laptop positionied in such a way as to grab the faintest of wireless signals, and thus due to complete lack-o-security, use that person's internet to talk to you now....

Normally I would not do it but I had to fix something that was broke somewhere so I had to jump online. No I would not in anyway "hack" someone's network (unless really deserved - J/K) and certainly would not do this person's butr you never know one someone will jump on an insecure network looking for bad things to do....

Maybe we should have a "secure wireless network thread" to walk some of you thru it. And if you are still "jumpy", I'll fix it for a fee (or plugs )

[likwid]

I'll come to your house and fix it.
(for plugs)



But if you live in Attleboro, please don't secure your connection, my gf's sister needs it for another 2 weeks.

Thanks.

[zacs]

i am secure, but always wonder if there is really that much to worry about. So some teenager next door is using my connect. What can it hurt?

I guess if you had financial stuff on there (I don't) it may hurt, but is it easy to break into files on a network that are not shared? I have some shared folders - pictures, music, etc., but you still need to be "allowed" in.

I am sure there is a way to "hack" in, but the question is, how easy is it? And follow up to that question is, if someone has the knowhow, couldn't they just hack into you through "wired" means?

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by JohnR

I am able with my laptop positionied in such a way as to grab the faintest of wireless signals,

Show me how...for plugs...

[S-Journey]

Lol, shhhh :-)

I use free bandwidth from the boat ramp down at Humarock every morning from my laptop. I go down with a coffee and enjoy the water and free bandwidth.


Zacs, there is a LOT of damage a person such as myself can do if I connect to your wireless network. Once I connect I only use the bandwidth, but if I wanted to I could monitor and log all of your keystrokes including passwords, banking and credit card info and anything else you do on the web and a whole lot more. It is a very serious issue, not the people such as I that will just use the badwidth, but people that can and will take over that system and use it to cause serious problems. Another thing, lets just say someone wants to break into the systems of a bank or government system or such. They go and jump on your wireless network and use your connection, guess what-- they will be knocking at your door with nobody else to suspect except you.

John R is right, lock em down-- except if you live in Humarock near the boat ramp :-)

[likwid]

Originally Posted by zacs

I am sure there is a way to "hack" in, but the question is, how easy is it?

wireless encryption keys are typically weak and easy to brute force.

[S-Journey]

Originally Posted by zacs

And follow up to that question is, if someone has the knowhow, couldn't they just hack into you through "wired" means?

Of course, but at least they have to put in a little effort first. You need to remember that NO system is safe, not the government or anyone else for that matter. If someone wants to spend the time get hack in, they will get in-- just depends on how long it will take. And it is VERY EASY if you know what you are doing-- so much that when I started learning this stuff years back I was absolutly freaked out.


And for the record, no I am not a malicious hacker-- I am an "Ethical Hacker" for purposes of finding and plugging security issues.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by zacs

So some teenager next door is using my connect. What can it hurt?

When you get fined thousands of dollars because this teenager is downloading copy-writed material and they trace it back to you....you'll see who it could hurt.

or using your connection to SPAM others or Hack into others networks.

[ThrowingTimber]

secure them networks guys! Nmap is a nasty neat lil tool.

[likwid]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

When you get fined thousands of dollars because this teenager is downloading copy-writed material and they trace it back to you....you'll see who it could hurt.

They need evidence to prove it though, not just logs of the occurance from the IP, but proof on the HD of the machines also.

They can raid you, and you can blame it on linksys because they don't come secured.

[S-Journey]

Originally Posted by likwid

They need evidence to prove it though, not just logs of the occurance from the IP, but proof on the HD of the machines also.

They can raid you, and you can blame it on linksys because they don't come secured.

Yes, but a lot of people will leave everything right on a users machine and access it from there if there is enough room using alternate data streams. I've heard of quite a few cases involving illegal porn and bootleg movies that are being kept right on a hacked users machine using alternate data streams without theirnowledge. In a case like that it is pretty hard to prove it was not you if the hackers trail was covered correctly.

[Homerun04]

Both my neighbor and I have wireless.....if I go upstairs in my house, I end up nautomatically hopping on his network almost every time (unless I MANUALLY switch back to my network)....no hacking, but you are right about possible security issues...

[reelecstasy]

It certainly is easy to access someone elses machine. Storing data on them as well....All it takes is a little time....

[ThrowingTimber]

gotta love them oc12's