re: Wireless security
Monday, July 6, 2009 at 10:21 am
Windows XP Annoyances Discussion Forum
Posted by Larry
(1364 messages posted)
That's a tough one because it depends on who owns these networks and the reason they
don't have them secured. First, it would seem that if it were a "normal" business
of some sort, let's say a retailer or insurance agency etc. they would have them
secured. Then again, if it's some kind of coffee shop or restaurant offering free
wireless access, then they are certainly within their rights to do so. Same thing
goes if it's just a clueless individual in an apartment across the street. It might
take some work to find out who owns these access points, but if you can perhaps you
can find out WHY they are unsecured and explain THEIR vulnerabilities as well as
yours. If they just don't know how to secure them offer to do it for them. However,
if they want them open and free, as in the coffee shop example, I don't think there
is much you can do about it technically or legally. The one exception might be the
network that lets you into the router. I suppose you could give it a SSID and password
to annoy the owner by locking them out but then YOU could be open to charges of tampering.
And besides, once they figure out what has happened all they have to do is reset
the router to the factory defaults and continue on their merry way. As I said in
the beginning, if I were you I'd try to locate the owners and see what their situation
is. Sadly though, even if you gain their cooperation new unsecured access points
can pop up anytime all over again.
On Monday, July 6, 2009 at 9:32 am, Cal wrote:
>Hello
>I have a issue dealing with wireless security. I manage an office with 30 people.
>They are always coming and going (due to the nature of the job) and they each have
>their own laptop.
>
>We have a wireless network setup WPA encrypted, firewalled. It's secure and I'm
happy
>with it.
>
>The problem is there are 3 OTHER unsecured networks that can be accessed from our
>office. One of which is so unsecured you can access their router directly once
connected
>to that network. Simply put the default gateway into your browser and when the login
>screen appears, press enter... It's ridiculous
>
>What I would like to do is come up with a way to prevent people from my office accessing
>these unsecured networks. Then doing business i.e. email, logging into secure sites
>we use, transferring sensitive information.
>
>Simply telling them doesn't work. Some will always use the easier quicker option.
>Such is human nature.
>
>So without just firing people if they use the unsecured networks what are my options?
- Written in response to:
- Wireless security (Cal: Monday, July 6, 2009 at 9:32 am)
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