Re: No WEP key works?
From: Max Bolingbroke (batterseapower_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 09/12/04
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Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2004 09:36:42 +0100
Brett wrote:
>>Ah OK :) I thought that perhaps I was the only one with a problem of this
>>nature, but the same thing happens to me when I try and use WEP between a
>>Belkin Wifi card I have and a Gigabyte access point. In the end, I just
>>turned it off and enabled MAC filters instead.. I'm sorry I can't be of
>>more help..
>>
>>Max Bolingbroke
>
>
> Without WEP, how do I secure my wireless network?
>
> I view available wireless networks and some have a lock on them and others
> don't. Mine being one that doesn't. Please elaborate on MAC filtering?
>
> I just don't want others connecting to my network and accessing any data. I
> do have the router firewall enabled and the laptop is running ZoneAlarm. Is
> that very secure? By how much (scale 1 to 10)? I have
>
> Thanks for the help.
> Brett
>
A MAC filter isn't very secure, but its better than nothing. You setup
your router/access point with a list of MAC addresses that it will allow
to connect to it. Any other computers will have MAC addresses that are
not on the list, and so will not be able to connect. One problem is that
the actual data is sent unencrypted, so people can still eavesdrop on
your data, though not send any of their own. A more annoying problem is
that they can just change their MAC address and suddenly be able to
connect..
Your setup sounds good! Two layers of protection is excellent, but a
problem could occur when wireless clients connect, if they manage to
break the relatively insecure MAC filtered or horrendously insecure open
environment. They will be able to bypass the router firewall, at least,
which could have some nasty consequences. I would give you a 6 with your
wireless networking open, or a 9 if you can get WEP working (WEP has
known vunerabilities still, however :))
To stop responding to pings, check your router configuration. Assuming
you are running a NAT network, it is probably the router responding to
pings - there might be an option to turn that off. If you are running a
non-NAT network, zonealarm may have a setting to stop pings, or you
could use the Windows Firewall as well/instead and set it up not to
respond to ICMP echo packets (pings).
The IP limitation thing you talk about might deter the casual
comprimiser, but as soon as one of those machines is switched off, the
IP is open for use without any detrimental effects. Even with another PC
using the IP, someone could still technically use the in-use IP and get
all the reply packets (unlike normal IP spoofing), since they are on the
same network segment and the packets will be broadcast to both PCs with
the IP.
The upshot of all of this is that its a really good idea to get WEP, or,
even better, WPA working. Are you running a network of wifi equipment
from different manufacturers? Thats the only situation where I've seen
this WEP problem..
Max Bolingbroke
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