People will give a Credit Card Number or other Sensitive Information while...

Talking on a Cordless Phone without Thinking

Anyone could be listening on an inexpensive Radio Shack scanner

People Rarely Consider The Possibility of eavesdropping on their data network, but it is EASY to accomplish on an unencrypted network.

Because it’s difficult to control where RF-radio frequency waves end up one can never be certain where wireless signals are heading or who is listening.

Why Care About Eavesdropping On Your Wireless Network

If you don't care about who listening on your wireless network, you should. Because they can steal your bandwidth, your good name, and your freedom Take a look at some of the things they can do...

• Steal your cable modem bandwidth, leaving you with less
• Read your e-mail
• Find you bank account numbers, if you have them on your PC
• Download pornography through your network
• Deliver pornography to others through your network, family and friends
• If some wardriver does this, YOU OWN IT, and Jail isn't fun
• Delete your files
• Store stolen files on your server
• Send spam to millions of user with your return address

                                        Visit "The Hacker's Nightmare" now

For Safety, Protect Your Wireless Computer Network

Intruders can do anything while sitting at your computer using your password, that they can do from outside your home or business.

ANYTHING. You lock your doors you put up a firewall, take the next step and invest in the appropriate tools to secure your wireless system

Directional Antennas

Don’t solve the problem. Although they can more tightly direct the RF energy, they can never completely prevent signal leakage

A single metal file cabinet in the wrong location can bounce a signal in many different directions.

Prevent Computer Surveillance and Use Strong Encryption

Although it’s not possible to control who receives the signals, the data can be rendered unreadable by unauthorized parties.

The types of encryption are in wide use on wireless networks today, each with some variants...

WEP Do not use unless you absolutely have too! It can be cracked in less then 60 seconds

WPA Use this as an alternative, Note: XP requires service Pack 2

WPA2 Keep intruders out of your business, use Wi-Fi protected Access

WPA2 encryption

WEP (“Wired Equivalency Privacy”, NOT “Wireless Encryption Protocol” or one of the many other variations) has been around since the very first 802.11 standard.

It was designed by the IEEE and makes use of the RC4 encryption algorithm –the same one used in SSL.

This makes WEP small, relatively fast, and easy to implement in hardware on most wireless NICs. Unfortunately, the original design of WEP makes it vulnerable to cracking –given sufficient time and data for analysis. 

A WEP key can often be discovered, in less then 60 seconds with the right software. Don't use wep, Use WPA OR WPA2

An Attacker Can Decrypt Data Going Across a Wireless Network

Although most modern WEP implementations are much less vulnerable to this cracking technique. Numerous flaws still exist in WEP that make it unsuitable for anything other than a home network.

There are many tools in use for cracking WEP (about 60 seconds), or any other encryption if given sufficient time Two of the early tools, called AirSnort WEPcrack

Features of the Robust Security Network (RSN) specified in WPA 802.11i are designed to overcome these weaknesses in WEP and wireless computer security.

It Is Important To Note That There Are Two Different Types Of WEP In use. One, known as static WEP, requires all stations in the network to use the same encryption key.

This is the least secure form of WEP because once the encryption key is discovered, full access to all data on the network is possible. Static WEP also generates the largest amount of data for analysis since the key remains the same day after day.

Finally, static WEP presents a key distribution problem –because each device must be configured with the same WEP key, every device must be touched any time the key is changed - for example, because of an employee leaving the company.

A second form of WEP is known as dynamic WEP. In combination with 802.1x authentication, dynamic WEP allows a different key to be assigned to each user in the network, and provides for a key rotation interval that changes the key after a configured period of time.

Understanding Dynamic WEP

While still leaving the Home Security systems wireless network vulnerable to certain types of packet injection attacks, is a much safer choice than static WEP for enterprises who are not yet ready to move to the next level in encryption.

Microsoft has released updates for Windows XP to support WPA 1.0, and most NIC vendors have at least announced plans to support it, so WPA appears to be a viable contender to replace WEP.

WPA is considered an interim standard, however –and now replaced by WPA 2.0 that will itself be based on the full 802.11i standard.

As I mention before turning off SSID broadcast, changing the SSID, and using WEP will discourage casual hackers and prying neighbors from reading your network transmission.

If your home or network sit in the middle of a densely populated area and near many wireless networks, just discouraging the casual snooper might not be enough that's when you need a more active defense.

Here are some companies that provide network defense tools and services, but they are not free Airtightnetworks Wi-Fi enhancement products

• Airtightnetworks Wi-Fi enhancement products
• Airmagnet Automated Intrusion Prevention
  
  

Visit "The Hacker's Nightmare" now

If all of this wireless computer security seems to be to much trouble, just make sure to have at least the XP internet connection firewall turned on...

...Start > Control panel > Network and internet connection > Local Area Connection > Right click for properties > Advanced > Windows firewall > Settings > Turn on.

One thing you may have figured out is security takes effort, even the weak installations take effort, so take the time and do it right.

You should implement some type of wireless security for your system, we say it over and over again, but is any body listening.

FOLKS YOUR ARE THE WEAKEST LINK when it comes to network security.

Good Luck, Stay Safe
Jim Novak