0
wildblue

greetings from my couch

Recommended Posts

yeah, I'm a geek... so?
I'm entertained by this - wireless access, and I'm no longer on dial-up.
This is pretty damn cool.

And before anyone says "Get a life.... why are you posting this at 3:30am!? - I've already been out tonight.... trying to setup a wireless access point/router, complete with proper WEP settings, is more fun slightly intoxicated
it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

802.11b pc card - laptop



So, what's your access point, and what's your access method?
So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What kind of range are you getting? I'm typing this at my desk, sans wires, but I can't travel that far because of some interference. Walls I think. I can wander around all the upstairs, but the minute I head downstairs, I lose it.

I'm thinking of getting one of those cheap repeaters to increase the range.

We were going to try to share it across a few apartments where I was living for awhile, but that didn't work out. I'm beginning to think that the cheap-ass NetGear was *not* the way to go.

Like I ever leave this room anyway. :(



_________________________________________________
If you hadn't read this, would it have made a sound?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
try a different channel or something.... I set my parents up with a 'cheap' linksys - the WAP is upstairs, I took their laptop outside (brick house) and about a half block away and was still getting good signal. Maybe try external antenna too. Can't test the range on this cheap netgear just yet, it's cold and there's 3 inches of snow outside
it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

I set my parents up with a 'cheap' linksys - the WAP is upstairs, I took their laptop outside (brick house) and about a half block away and was still getting good signal.



If the signal is that good so far from their house, does that mean other people can use their signal? I'm not sure how all that stuff works.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

If the signal is that good so far from their house, does that mean other people can use their signal? I'm not sure how all that stuff works.



Not if he's got it properly secured using WEP (a wireless security protocol)... if he hadn't been smart enough to do that, yes, he'd be sharing the connection with anybody within range...

Ever hear of 'war driving'? People with properly set up laptops driving around just looking for unsecured wireless access points. :o

"If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

Not if he's got it properly secured using WEP (a wireless security protocol)... if he hadn't been smart enough to do that, yes, he'd be sharing the connection with anybody within range...



He mentioned WEP but i didn't know wtf it meant. Considering he's a smart guy, i'm sure he did it properly. Thanks for the info.:)

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

>Ever hear of 'war driving'? People with properly set up laptops driving around just looking for unsecured wireless access points.

I've got a GPS with mapping software, Laptop with 2 different cards and every program for stumbling and sniffing wireless you can think of.... Nope never heard of War Driving...;)

WEP is mainly a joke. Cracking WEP just is a matter of time. Collect enough packets and its cracked in about 15 minutes. I've recently started playing with WEP2 the 256 stuff... It seems to be diferent in that I have'nt found the right key packets yet in my tests.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't realize WEP was that weak... my bad! I don't run any wireless at work, so my real life experience with it is limited. I did know that they were working on a more secure version, but hey, isn't security one of the hottest topics in IT these days?

I love the forums here, you can learn so much!

Phree, what excatly would you be doing with all those wireless access points that you're hacking??? :P


"If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

I didn't realize WEP was that weak... my bad!



You need to rememeber where WEP came from, and what it was intended to do.

Quite simply, WEP was designed to make a wireless network just as secure as a wired network. That's a pretty low target considering that you can get on a 'wired' network just by plugging into a nearby ethernet jack.

In a corporate environment, breaking WEP gives you the same level of access as plugging into ethernet. You still need to overcome network security (NT Login, for example), then application level security (database password, for example). WEP is "good enough" for many organizations simply because there's robust security running overtop of it.

WEP is also just fine for home users, who don't want their neighbor accidentally finding their porn collection.

Where it falls WAY short is from targetted attacks against systems without any other security - ie, the typical home network.

_Am
__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

yup, using 128bit WEP, changed the SSID, and will be setting up the MAC access list here shortly. You're only getting in here is you really really want to. If someone wants to sit outside my house that long and hack on it, they deserve to get to my MP3 collection :D:D

it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

I didn't realize WEP was that weak... my bad!



Keep in mind that most people don't even bother to take that step, so you are certainly already ahead of the game, and will "keep honest people honest".

Security is relative, nothing is absolutely safe (we all know that!). The best you can do is make it more expensive for the hacker to gain access than the access she gains is worth.

Also, like your mom always told you about cold weather, dress in layers...
Freedom -- Expression -- Spirit

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
yeah, in my case, I don't have to outrun the bear, just the guy next to me.
Granted, in most corporate settings, that's not the attitude to have.

Internally, my network isn't just wide-open... so even if they do get access to the WAP, they can't just start walking through the network. I'm actually more worried about people arriving via my (now) always on internet connection then driving past my house (on a cul-de-sac) and findin my wap.
it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

0