Wireless security settings

[Satchmo]

I have just set up a wireless access point??!? It was an Invensys. I had all kinds of issues setting it up, but finally got it going . I have yet to figure out the security setup.

After reading Drew's post, I really need to get on that !!! Can someone actually get into my hard drive throught the WAP?

Jason

[Kenyth]

I have just set up a wireless access point??!? It was an Invensys. I had all kinds of issues setting it up, but finally got it going . I have yet to figure out the security setup.

After reading Drew's post, I really need to get on that !!! Can someone actually get into my hard drive throught the WAP?

Jason

Possibly, depending on your setup.

The main problem, as mentioned before, is people stealing your bandwidth and maybe even using your network to cause mischief and do illegal things. It makes them untracable.

An usecured wireless router with an unsecured computer means that, at the very least, anyone can join your network and use any network shares. If you have an administrative root share available on your PC, they may have access to your entire HDD contents! From there, they could wreak havok. Maybe put a keylogger on the PC and capture passwords, credit card numbers, etc.

New wireless devices come with certain security features enabled by default, to help protect the technically challenged, but if you do any type of sensitive activity on your PC (including on-line purchases), you'll want to make it as secure as possible.

Packet sniffing can capture all the clear text you exchange with the internet. Most sites use HTTPS for secure transactions, ensuring sensitive data is encrypted at one level at least. Many lesser sites use clear text for basic password access though, and if you're in the habit of using the same name and password for everything, you can see the problem.

[Satchmo]

I did not realize that having the wireless network unsecured was that bad. It's like picking up the soap in prison, you could get screwed!!!

I'll have to make another attempt on password protecting that network. I'm sure one of you good ol' boyz could provide a pointer if I end up with a meltdown again

[Kenyth]

I did not realize that having the wireless network unsecured was that bad. It's like picking up the soap in prison, you could get screwed!!!

I'll have to make another attempt on password protecting that network. I'm sure one of you good ol' boyz could provide a pointer if I end up with a meltdown again

Like I said before, I recommend using WPA-PSK. For the ASCII pre-shared key use a long nonsensical string of letters, numbers, and punctuation marks. There's other stuff too, but that's your best first option. Do not give out your pre shared key to anyone you wouldn't trust with a full set of your house and car keys.