Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (
More info?)
I'll just make a few points here:
--I"ve got a wireless network/broadband connection & 2 computers (1 wired &
1 wireless)
--Yep I'm new to wireless but not new to networks in general
--Yep I'm firewalled tighter than Dolly Parton in a 32b
--Nope, I don't use file sharing unless I'm doing some file swapping then I
switch it right back off once I'm done
--No complaints about the distance of the PCI wireless adapter; just a
concern of how secure that makes my system
--Thanks for your info guys!
--BB
"nl" <nl@codologyBORROX.com> wrote in message
news:irufv0d5r5qc3hnt09sr3n2f396h53j96q@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 11:21:28 -0500, o-chan <poda@REMOVEmac.com> wrote:
>
>>>>I installed a wireless network card (802.11g) into a system I just built
>>>>and
>>>>found that I'm able to connect to my neighbors unsecured wireless
>>>>networks
>>>>and browse on their dime if I wanted to. That demonstrates to me that
>>>>the
>>>>distance these radios broadcast goes beyond the front door. My
>>>>question is
>>>>if anyone knows if this wireless capability is a two way street that
>>>>leaves
>>>>my system unsecure and open to malicious intent.
>>>>
>>>>Thanks,
>>>>
>>>
>>> It's his setup that is not secure, not necessarily yours. Like the
>>> other poster said, on your wireless router hide your SSID, enable the
>>> strongest encryption you can, use restricted MAC addressing, and don't
>>> share drives from the root. And remember the amount you should worry
>>> about it is directly proportional to how much you have to lose.
>>
>>He didn't say he had a router. He has a network card. PCI sounds like?
>
> Why would he install a wireless network card unless he wanted to pick
> up a signal from a router of his own? Unless the whole intent was to
> find out if he could pick up someone else's network? Admittedly he
> doesn't sound very well-informed about networking in general but
> buying a wifi card without having a signal for it to connect to seems
> to be putting the cart before the horse.
>
>>Anyway, when you have a wireless network adapter, you are not by default
>>creating a network, unless you turn on Internet Connection Sharing via
>>your wireless card. If say, you are connected via ethernet to the
>>internet, people will not be able to connect to you and browse the
>>internet off your computer the way you're doing, unless you specifically
>>let them (and even then it's not easy like stumbling onto someone else's
>>network like you did).
>
> You're presuming he has a firewall installed and operating
> effectively. Without one any PC connected to the Internet by ethernet
> will be hacked, infected and busting with Trojans in about 15 minutes.
> It's not people browsing the Net through his machine that should worry
> him, it's people using the Net to browse through his machine.
>
> If he has a wireless router, and it's not an unreasonable assumption
> to make if he has a wireless network card, he is open to a different
> sort of threat. Many home wi-fi setups come with security turned off
> by default - like his neighbour's. Namely, SSID set to broadcast, no
> encryption, no restriction on MAC addresses. The only advantage it
> that it makes the network easier to set up for beginners because
> everyone can see everything.
>>
>>However, keep in mind that since you are on his network, it's possible
>>for him to see what you're sending/receiving, and possibly mess with
>>your computer.
>
> I doubt a neighbour dumb enough to leave his network wide open would
> be sussed enough to see what the OP is sending/receiving. But it's
> true that unless the OP takes some basic security measures the
> neighbour will be able to browse his PC.
>
>>I'd start by turning off file sharing, and turning ON
>>Windows firewall.
>
> If he's got a network of his own he is going to need filesharing. But
> yes, turn on Windows firewall or use Zone Alarm or Kerio(?) or Sygate.
> If he has even one machine on the Net he should be doing that anyway.
>
> (The other poster has a point - buying an 11g card and then
> complaining that it has range beyond the front door is like buying a
> Porsche and then complaining that it goes too fast and he might
> crash.)
>
> nl
>
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