Two security-related questions for wireless
Matthew Saltzman
mjs at ces.clemson.edu
Sat Jul 10 11:00:18 UTC 2004
On Sat, 10 Jul 2004, J. Erik Hemdal wrote:
> >
> > It's not clear to me what the point of broadcasting is if you
> > then install WEP keys.
> >
>
> This makes connection a little easier. Some access points will deliver a
> WEP key automatically, so that you have encrypted transfers on a network
> that is publicly-available.
Cool. Can FC configure itself when it encounters such a network? Is
there a telltale sign that the public network I'm attached to is
encrypted?
>
> > >
> > > > 2) On a related security issue, how can I make use of WEP
> > encryption.
> > >
> > > Make sure your WAPs all have the same key (MINIMUM 128-bit
> > encryption)
>
> The encryption level is going to be set by the minimum encryption that all
> your wireless clients can support. In my experience, Windows XP doesn't
> support 128-bit encryption. This might prevent you from going to stronger
> encryption.
I've had no problem with WinXP and 128-bit keys.
>
> > > Like I said, I'm not sure you need to hide your ESSID in the first
> > > place.
>
> Probably for the same reason you set up a firewall rather than closing all
> your ports. You can't hack a network you can't see.\
>
> Erik
--
Matthew Saltzman
Clemson University Math Sciences
mjs AT clemson DOT edu
http://www.math.clemson.edu/~mjs
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