WEP and MAC, WiFi protection?

[bandido1]

My computer system at home is connected by wi-fi technology (Main PC, my laptop & a PC in my son's room). When I was setting up the system it asked me for a WEP paraphrase. I have no Idea what the paraphrase, but I now understand that hackers can get into my system because I am not secured by the WEP thingy. Is my system really unsafe? I have installed a firewall and other anti-intruder technology.

[Rebycman]

Re: WEP and MAC, WiFi protection?

Here is a guide on WEP for ya.

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/2106281

Anything you don't understand just plug it into google and you will get your answer with a bit of searching. Just bear in mind that wifi networks are not perfect so don't keep mission critical data on these networks. For your average user surfing the net, using IM's, IRC, p2p, etc wifi's work just fine.

If you are running a web server with data like credit card numbers stored on it then I'd say shut off the wifi now.

Regards,

-Reby

[bandido1]

Re: WEP and MAC, WiFi protection?

Thanks for the link Reby. my head is spinning after reading it. I guess I have a decision to make.

[Rebycman]

Re: WEP and MAC, WiFi protection?

Sorry I should have just copied/pasted the relevant part. Try this:

Besides simply resetting your WEP key, you should follow these simple rules for making WEP as secure as possible. If your WEP software asks you for a passphrase or string to generate a key, do not use your SSID, company name, network name, or any other easy to guess alphanumeric string. Treat setting WEP keys the same way you a strong password. Why make life any easier for a cracker then it already is, right?

If you must manually enter the key, you're restricted to the numbers '0-9' and letters 'a-f' In this case, don't simply hit the same key over and over again or use some simple pattern like 1,2,3, and so on.

If you do this, and change your key frequently, you can maximize WEP's minimal protection. Good security? Heck no! But, it's definitely better.

So for your small home network it should be fine just change your key from time to time and I'd probably stick a software firewall like Zonealarm and anti-virus on each pc. For the average home user this combined approach to security is enough to protect your PC's from most threats.

Regards,

-Reby

[j-kid]

Re: WEP and MAC, WiFi protection?

Use the MAC address encryption technique instead, it gives you better protection than WEP.

[bandido1]

Re: WEP and MAC, WiFi protection?

Originally posted by J kid:
[qb] Use the MAC address encryption technique instead, it gives you better protection than WEP. [/qb]

How does this work? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[bandido1]

Re: WEP and MAC, WiFi protection?

Originally posted by Rebycman:
So for your small home network it should be fine just change your key from time to time and I'd probably stick a software firewall like Zonealarm and anti-virus on each pc. For the average home user this combined approach to security is enough to protect your PC's from most threats.

Regards,

-Reby

Thanks again. I appreciate your input.

[j-kid]

Re: WEP and MAC, WiFi protection?

To determine the MAC address on a Windows system follow these steps:

Click Start.
Click Run.
Enter command and press enter.
In the command console, type ipconfig /all and press enter.
If you have more than one network adapter, the details of each will be displayed.
Locate the wireless adapter information.
The MAC Address is the information labeled Physical Address.


Refer to the directions for your wireless router or access point to find out how to enable MAC address filtering (the process can be slightely different from unit to unit). Once you enable MAC address filtering and enter the MAC addresses of each of your wireless devices, the wireless router or access point will only allow those devices with MAC addresses on the access list to connect to the wireless network.

It is possible using various wireless and network sniffing tools to capture and spoof MAC addresses, so this method is not fool-proof. But, that is no reason to make it any easier for novice hackers or casual snoopers to get into your network.
Click here for Link to article source


More info:

http://www.marquette.edu/pages/home/its/help/network/wireless/mac

http://www.wi-fi.org/OpenSection/secure.asp?TID=2