Two security-related questions for wireless

[Matthew Saltzman]

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