Please secure your wireless networks !

[marioh]

So, I'm sitting in my apartment, looking for wireless access points with my laptop. I find a great one, a G connection 56MB, that's rock solid.

The only problem is, the guy who's wireless connection this is, has left his PC totally vulnerable. I can basically see everything on his hard drive, I can create, modify, and delete files. And no hacking was done in order to do this.
Naturally, I'm not going to screw with his PC since I'm getting free high speed internet access thanks to him. But I am worried someone with less scruples will come along, and probe into the guys financial records (or steal SS#'s for identity theft) that are stored on his PC, and maybe even start deleting important system files and/or putting bad programs into the guy's startup group.

Since I can't really warn the guy for fear that he'll cut me off of the free high speed internet access, I can at least warn the people here.

If you use a wireless router, use the security features that come with the router (check the router documentation on how to set it up).
OR
Disable file and print sharing or assign user/group rights to your shares (advanced users only).

If you live in the boon-docks with no neighbors within miles, then no need to worry, for the most part.

 

[Archer 007]

I had a friend who was considering setting up a wireless network. Maybe this is why he desided against it.

 

[FireBall]

Yep, Wireless always has and always will have the problem of people not being smart enough to encrypt their connections...

Nice connection BTW...

 

[benben]

If you are thinking of setting up a wireless network, spend a little more on those with built-in firewall protection especially if you intend to leave your internet connection on 24 hours a day.

I have one wirelss network set up at home using Trendnet modem+router, with 128 bit WEP encryption on, and limit the access by IP.

 

[marioh]

Originally posted by FireBall
Yep, Wireless always has and always will have the problem of people not being smart enough to encrypt their connections...

Nice connection BTW...

The best one in the entire apartment building, by far !

And it's a faster wireless connection than I have at work.

 

[Jeratain]

Leecher.

 

[marioh]

Originally posted by Jeratain
Leecher.

I could say the same exact thing of the hundreds of people that have used my expertise and knowledge in order to either fix their PC or use that expertise and knowledge in making intelligent decisions on how to properly setup their PC's. All of which I have provided for free (on websites such as www.techsupportguy.com www.computing.net to name a few), a service that I easily could charge $40-$100 per hour for.

Or maybe you're just sweating me since I haven't paid for Internet access in over 7 years, while you get ripped off by your ISP because you don't know any better.

 

[Jeratain]

Originally posted by marioh
I could say the same exact thing of the hundreds of people that have used my expertise and knowledge in order to either fix their PC or use that expertise and knowledge in making intelligent decisions on how to properly setup their PC's. All of which I have provided for free (on websites such as www.techsupportguy.com www.computing.net to name a few), a service that I easily could charge $40-$100 per hour for.

Or maybe you're just sweating me since I haven't paid for Internet access in over 7 years, while you get ripped off by your ISP because you don't know any better.

I get T1 access included with my rent. I don't see why you are trying to justify the fact that you are in essence stealing internet access. If you're fine with that, then say "who cares" but don't try and justify it.

 

[marioh]

Originally posted by Jeratain
I get T1 access included with my rent. I don't see why you are trying to justify the fact that you are in essence stealing internet access. If you're fine with that, then say "who cares" but don't try and justify it.

T1 with your rent ? With the amount of rent I pay, I should also get T1, and a jacuzzi in my apartment,lol.
And yes, I will justify it. If people aren't smart enough to secure their wireless networks, then they should know it's now a public wireless access point. No different than any other public wireless access point.

 

[hbdragon88]

You could be nice, you know, and tell him how to secure his network. My friend drives around down and finds a lot of insecure networks. He says that it's tempting to post a note on the network owner's door saying, "I'll secure your wireless network for $100"

 

[sourboy]

So are cable connections open too? if they run through a hub?