Wireless Computer Security

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,
  and I bet you do

• Download pornography through your network

• Deliver pornography to others through your network, family
  and friends If some wardriver puts pornography on your
  system, 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

Wireless Computer Security 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.

Key To Preventing Computer Security Wireless Surveillance Is To 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

Any data going across a wireless computer 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, 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

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.

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 will eventually be 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

• Airmagnet
  Automated Intrusion Prevention

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. Good Luck!

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. 

Wireless Home Surveillance Solution
Security of reliable video surveillance

Computer Running at Maximum Performance
This article will focus on two problems

Tips for Safe Public Computer Use
Safe public computer use applies

PC Security Home Network Security
You don't leave your doors unlocked

Setup firewall protection
Protective barrier between  your computer

Fighting Spam
Since spam is made possible by programs