Wireless ?
- Thread starter pipme
- Start date
I
Igorian
It depends on the router, but most use a combination of MAC address filtering (weak) with either WEP or WPA encryption (strong). I see a lot of domestic installations, and it's surprising how many unsecured wireless stations there are, simply because the user/installer hasn't enabled it.
No it doesn't. A casual hacker would not be able to connect to the router without the correct key. Obviously, nothing is 100% secure (not even RSA!) but when you consider that at the end of some monumental hacking the end result would be access to your ADSL link, then the actual threat pales somewhat. (though this does assume that your connected PCs are left wide open!).
On a serious note, using someone elses wireless network to get a bit of free broadband is actually illegal, and there has been a recent case that ended in Jail.
Go with WPA and you should be fine.
Merv
On a serious note, using someone elses wireless network to get a bit of free broadband is actually illegal, and there has been a recent case that ended in Jail.
Go with WPA and you should be fine.
Merv
I
Igorian
Agreed. WPA keys can be generated by easily remembered passwords. Using a strong password (One containing a mix of uppercase, lowercase and numbers) is recommended.
That case wasn't even "getting free broadband", the guy was practicing his "war-driving" (this is where many teams of geeks drive around with pringle-can antennae and the winner is the one who finds the most unsecure networks). Didn't know he went to gaol in the end... yet burglars walk free 
THe problem is caused by a combination of laziness on the part of the consumer and a desire to sell routers by the manufacturers. Because 90% of the population are used to devices that you plug in and operate, they decided to make wireless routers as easy to set-up as possible. So, whilst they recommend you secure it, few do.
Almost everyone I know who has bought wireless equipment has discovered at least one unsecured network within range. My parents found two... seeing as there is only one other house within 40 metres, that's pretty good going!
THe problem is caused by a combination of laziness on the part of the consumer and a desire to sell routers by the manufacturers. Because 90% of the population are used to devices that you plug in and operate, they decided to make wireless routers as easy to set-up as possible. So, whilst they recommend you secure it, few do.
Almost everyone I know who has bought wireless equipment has discovered at least one unsecured network within range. My parents found two... seeing as there is only one other house within 40 metres, that's pretty good going!