Everybody, Thanks for the great responses. I guess since I'm not a wireless user I won't have a problem. I will pass on the answers to my friends in the immediate neighborhood, though... some do use an Airport set-up. My good friend across the street, for instance, may not know about the WEP/ WAP difference. You people are all so smart and good about helping! I'm glad to have found the MacGroup.
Mike On Wednesday, July 21, 2004, at 10:42 PM, John Robinson wrote: > Bryan, > > Glad this discussion got started, I have just changed my protection to > WAP for you stated it is more robust than than the WEP which I had > previously. I used the WAP Personal, I hope this is correct, but what > is the difference between the two and why is WAP more robust? > > Many thanks, > > John R. > > > On Jul 21, 2004, at 10:23 PM, Bryan Forrest wrote: > >> Hi Mike - >> >> If you don't have a wireless setup in your home, then you don't have >> a lot to worry about. Can someone tap into your internet connection? >> Yes, but it's not going to be an easy task. Your computer is >> physically hardwired to the cable modem, so someone would have to tap >> your phone line either inside or outside your home. Unless you are >> being investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security, or the Mob, I >> wouldn't worry about it too much. >> >> If you had a wireless connection, security would be much more serious >> an issue. Wireless has several levels of security. >> 1. Closed network - Assign a name to your AP. By doing this, someone >> would have to know the name of your network to log in. This isn't >> difficult if they are sniffing for wireless networks. As soon as >> someone logs in, they have the name. It's OK for starters, but I >> wouldn't rely on it. >> 2. Set a WEP password - In order to log into the base station, you >> will need to know both the name of the network and the password. >> Better security, but not perfect. WEP has been cracked, so with >> enough packets collected a hacker can get your WEP password and >> access your network. If you have an Airport Extreme or Express, you >> can use WAP instead, much more robust and secure. >> 3. MAC address filtering - Each network device has a 12 digit hex >> code that serves as a unique identifier for that device. If you >> restrict access to your router to the network devices you own, that >> will discourage passersby from logging into your network. If their >> MAC address isn't registered in your router, they can't connect. >> Again, not a perfect solution, in that a smart user can see who is >> currently connected to a wireless network and then spoof a MAC >> address from someone already authenticated. >> 4. Turn on your Firewall software in OS X. This won't keep someone >> from accessing your network, but it will help to keep them out of >> your computer if they do access your network. >> >> Obviously, none of the solutions above are perfect, but by providing >> a multi-layered security plan, you should be much safer than your >> neighbors. And for the most part, war drivers are going to find the >> path of least resistance. >> >> HTH >> >> -- >> Bryan C. Forrest >> Macintosh Specialist & Asst. Network Administrator >> LifeNet >> http://www.lifenet.org >> >> >> On Jul 21, 2004, at 8:29 PM, Mike Watkins wrote: >> >>> All, >>> >>> Is there anything I need to do to protect my computer's DSL service >>> from being used by someone outside my home? I do not have a >>> wireless/ airport type set-up... just a regular BellSouth high speed >>> DSL conection. >>> >>> There's a kid in our neighborhood who is lurking outside some of my >>> neighbor's houses to use their internet on his laptop... I've seen >>> him by two of my neighbor's houses, and that's what he says he's >>> doing. He told me he didn't think they'd mind. (Of course, they're >>> not home at the time.) He sat out in front of my next-door >>> neighbor's for several hours on Monday. She doesn't have a wireless >>> set-up, either... perhaps he was really tapping into the folks >>> across the street's system? >>> >>> If he or someone else can access my internet, what are the dangers >>> to my system? I don't know how skilled he is. If he did anything >>> illegal using my connection, or if his computer had a virus, or >>> whatever... what could happen? Would you report him to anyone... >>> and, if so, who? >>> >>> Anyone know about this stuff? >>> >>> Mike >>> >>> >>> >>> | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will >>> | be July 27. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. >>> | List posting address: <mailto:macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu> >>> | List Web page: <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup> >>> >> >> >> >> | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will >> | be July 27. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. >> | List posting address: <mailto:macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu> >> | List Web page: <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup> >> > > > > | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will > | be July 27. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. > | List posting address: <mailto:macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu> > | List Web page: <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup> > | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will | be July 27. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. | List posting address: <mailto:macgroup at erdos.math.louisville.edu> | List Web page: <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup>
