Router Encryption — Increasing Wireless Security

By terry Leave a Comment

I answered a question recently from someone who was using WEP (the so-called “Wired Equivalent Privacy”) encryption on their wireless network. They were considering changing to WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). The real answer is that they need to change to the second generation of WPA — WPA2.

The biggest question in their mind was whether they’d have to change the wireless passphrases on all their computers (quick answer: yes).

Why change? WEP is old, way, way old in computer terms. When it was first released, it was effective.

But, by 2004, second-generation WEP-cracking tools were widely available. In an article, SmallNetBuilder reports on a 2005 demonstration by a team of FBI agents who were able to crack a 128 bit WEP key in about three minutes.

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Filed Under: Broadband, Networking, Notebook computer, Security, Terry's Computer Tips, Troubleshooting, Wireless, Wireless Security

Wireless Security Issues

By terry Leave a Comment

In IP Addresses and Security, I wrote about how the Internet works — your computer has an IP address, your intended destination has an IP address, and both have to know and use the IP address of the other in order for communication to occur between them.

The article was in response to a reader who wrote to ask if he could keep his IP address secret, since he had been accused of copyright infringment by downloading a movie (which he says he didn’t do).

One of the potential issues was that his IP address could have been involved, even without him or anyone in his family being involved.

He uses a wireless router, as many of us do. He mentioned that he had a wireless password that had to be used in order to access his router. This kind of password is not a log-in password to the router — it is a password to the router’s encryption. Over the years, though, password security has gotten better and better. Unfortunately, some of the older encryption methods have become almost trivial for someone to crack with today’s fast computers.

However, even using the best wireless encryption available isn’t enough. There are other steps necessary to secure a wireless network.

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Filed Under: Internet Access, Internet Privacy, Intrusion Detection, Networking, Security, Wireless, Wireless Security

Passwords, Password Lists and Keeping Passwords Secure

By terry Leave a Comment

I’m often asked about how I handle passwords for all the different sites that require passwords.

The questioner’s eyes get pretty big when I mention that I use random mixtures of letters and numbers for my passwords, and even bigger when I say that I use a different password on every site.

The immediate question is “How can you keep track of them all?”

The answer is one of the reasons that I use a PDA, a Personal Digital Assistant. In my case, it is the PalmOS v4 based Sony Clié SJ-33, which I’ve used for a couple years.

The program that lets me keep track of these is called Secret! (yes, there’s an exclamation mark as part of the name). Secret! has long been available for PalmOS. I didn’t realize it, but it is also available for Pocket PC handhelds, too. According to the publisher’s web site (http://linkesoft.com/secret/index.html), Secret! runs on all Pocket PC handhelds with Windows Mobile 2003, 2003 SE, and the current Windows Mobile 5.0.

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Filed Under: HowTo, Security, Software, Storage, Terry's Computer Tips, Wireless Security

Security Programs for Average Users

By terry Leave a Comment

In every issue of my weekly online computer tips newsletter, I have my current security software recommendations. In that article, I write about the programs that I choose for antivirus, antispyware/antiadware, firewall and antispam. I also include a paragraph in the article on using a cable / DSL router.

But, I guess I haven’t had enough explanation in the article… Recently, I received an email from regular reader and subscriber, who asked:

Your security recommendations are all encompassing. They are an indication of what is needed. But, it would be clearer if you could state what type and brand of software you recommend for “Joe Average”.

It may be what you list or a variation of that so as not to overkill. Keep up the good info.

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Filed Under: Anti-Adware, Anti-phishing, Anti-spam, Anti-Spyware, Anti-virus, Firewalls, Intrusion Detection, Security, Terry's Computer Tips, Wireless Security

Wireless Networking

By terry Leave a Comment

Why have a Wireless Network?

By using a wireless network, you can share your Internet connection between computers that are not in the same room, without running wires from one room to another or from one end of the house to another.
Wireless Networking Flavors

* 802.11b – 11 Mbit/second, the original “consumer” wireless. This is the most common variety.
* 802.11a – 11 Mbit/second, but on a different frequency for better penetration of walls.
* 802.11g – 54 Mbit/second, compatible with 802.11b, but one person with a “b” card can slow entire network

Wireless Networking – Distances

The nominal maximum distance for 802.11b (the 11 megabit/second version) is 100’ indoors. In practice, this is a function of where you place the router, how many walls & how much glass the signal has to go through, metal window frames and ductwork between the router and the wireless client and whether you’re using the default antennas or optional hi-power versions. If you want to maximize the distance, you should place the router on a high shelf or in another high position.

However, a directional antenna can change all that — a 21 dB Yagi directional antenna can give a usable distance of 14 kilometers. Also, there are simple fabrication directions on the Internet. In other words, distance from you neighbor isn’t enough.
The Hook-Up

Getting your wireless network set up is often not much more difficult than setting up a wired network. The easiest and best approach is to have Windows XP (either Home or Professional, but I prefer Professional) on the computer(s). Windows XP is much more robust on networking than any earlier version of Windows. XP handles many updates and changes without requiring reboots, also.

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Filed Under: Internet Access, Networking, Terry's Computer Tips, Wireless, Wireless Security

Wi-Fi Hotspots and Computer Security

By terry Leave a Comment

Are you safe when you use the wireless network at your local coffee shop or airport? Maybe. Maybe not.

Are you accidentally sharing your files on your computer? Is your computer “trusting” connection attempts from the other computers at the hostspot?

A reader asked me

To improve security when using Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or traveling, I’ve seen advice to uninstall “File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks” on the active wireless connection in the Properties menu of Control Panel Network Connections. Is it necessary to do this – is there any downside to uninstalling this? Would it be sufficient to uncheck the box, or do I need to fully uninstall it?

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Filed Under: Broadband, Internet Privacy, Intrusion Detection, Networking, Security, Stability, Windows XP, Wireless, Wireless Security