Re: SBS 2000 and wireless LAN

Matt/Les,

Well big thank you to you both...I hope I speak for all the silent listeners
in this NG.

As I review this thread, it seems to me to be the quintessential NG thread,
problem identified, solution(s) offered, response by original questioner...

BRAVO SBS NG...

Rickd

"Les Connor [SBS Community Member - SBS MVP]" <les.connor@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote in message news:OddKF$HbFHA.348@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Great piece, Matt :-).
>
> I'll add one bit, if I may.
>
> The AP devices aren't expensive. I've got a growing number of sites that
use
> both of the topologies you've explained, simultaneously.
>
> The reasons for this are the growing number of a) mobile devices -
including
> laptops - with wirless connections used by the biz; and b) outside the biz
> (by visitors, etc.)
>
> With the two access points, security on the external AP can be relaxed in
> favor of convenience, and maximized on the internal AP. Even with WPA
> secured internal AP, convenience for laptop users (where laptops are
> same_as_domain workgroup machines, username/passwords are sync'd, Outlook
is
> set up for HTTP/RPC, and off-line folders are in use) is not compromised
at
> all - they can move freely within and without the network.
>
> For not much more than a hundred bucks more, you can have your cake and
eat
> it too :-).
>
> I won't mention that I really enjoy having this kind of connectivity when
I
> need to do on-site work ;-). Even with the SBS down, I have that AP on the
> outside so I can check in with y'all and get advice :-).
>
> --
> Les Connor [SBS Community Member - SBS MVP]
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> SBS Rocks !
>
>
> "Matt Gibson" <mattg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:ujTtwWHbFHA.3684@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Sure thing Rick!
> >
> > Suprisingly enough, securing a wireless access point isn't really that
> > hard. (I'll define the word "secure" later on)
> >
> > There's two main topologies involved in doing this: Wireless users
> > outside, Wireless users inside.
> >
> > The first way (Wireless outside), involves making a back to back DMZ
> > infront of your SBS server. Basically, your networking will look like
> > this:
> >
> > Internet <=> Firewall <=> Access Point <=> SBS <=> Users
> >
> > (Note, this does assume that your SBS is dualhomed - 2 NICs)
> >
> > Wireless users will connect to the access point, and since they're
outside
> > of ISA (or RRAS), they don't really have any foothold into the internal
> > network. They can surf the web, and that's about it. (This setup is
also
> > great if you have visitors that need Wireless access). To access the
> > internal network, the wireless users will VPN in. This lets them be
part
> > of the domain, have access to the entire network, and also serves to
> > doubly encrypt the traffic going over the wireless connection (WPA
first,
> > then VPN second).
> >
> > Personally, this is my favorite way of setting up the network, because
if
> > the access point is "hacked", they do not gain a foothold on the
network.
> > NOTE: It is still possible to perform an ARP spoofing attack, and
> > redirect all network traffic over the wireless link.
> >
> > The second way is what most people normally do, just place a network
> > access point inside the network. While this is easier for the users
> > (since they don't have to VPN), it's also easier for the hackers. If
they
> > manage to gain access to your access point, they'll also gain full
access
> > to your network.
> >
> > Now, those are the two main topologies, but let's look at securing the
> > actual access point.
> >
> > SSID filtering:
> > Utterly Useless. The SSID is shown in plaintext quite often on even
a
> > quiet network, so anyone who's got a wireless scanner will pick up the
> > "hidden" SSID in seconds.
> >
> > MAC filtering:
> > Utterly Useless. Again, MAC address of connecting computers are
> > shown in plain text during normal communication. It's quite simple to
> > change the MAC address of your wireless card so you can "spoof" being a
> > legimate computer.
> >
> > WEP encryption:
> > Mostly useless. Sadly enough, WEP encryption is easily broken on a
> > somewhat busy network. While it's better than nothing, it should not be
> > used to secure a network with any type of important data.
> >
> > WPA encryption:
> > So far, so good. The only known attack on a WPA encryption system is
> > brute force. So, if you're going to use WPA, make your key BIG, and
> > totally random.
> >
> > So, to recap...don't bother with anything else but WPA encryption.
> > Everything else makes your life a bit harder, and doesn't impact anyone
> > trying to get into your network at all.
> >
> > Let me know if I've skimmed over anything.
> >
> > Hope it helps!
> >
> > Matt Gibson - GSEC
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "Rick Dilley" <rdilley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > news:edL6g7GbFHA.2664@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> Hi Matt,
> >>
> >> And all along I thought I was doing a "good" thing.
> >>
> >> I'd appreciate if you would describe(in detail) what you'd consider a
> >> "good"
> >> and safe implementation of SBS2000 with a wireless LAN segment.
> >>
> >> I am serious and not just "pulling your chain"...I really did think I
was
> >> doing it "right"
> >>
> >> So "help me Obe Wan...you are my only hope"
> >>
> >> RickD
> >>
> >>
> >> "Matt Gibson" <mattg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >> news:O4panIEbFHA.2212@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >>> Oi.
> >>>
> >>> In my mind, turning off SSID broadcasting is even worse than MAC
> >> filtering.
> >>> It stops XP from being able to do it's zero configuration service, and
> >> it's
> >>> even faster for a "hacker" to determine what the SSID is.
> >>>
> >>> Do you guys LIKE making things harder for yourselves?
> >>>
> >>> Matt Gibson - GSEC
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>


.

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