Topic How much security do you use on your wireless LAN?

wifiry

Hi All,,

I was curious to see what levels of security the average WLAN user uses on his/her WLAN. It always shocks me how many people use no encryption at all. I can (or could if I wanted to) connect to approx 4-5unsecured WLANs in my area.

Ryan

-HAL-

I'm currently using 64 bit WEP since that was the only thing UBUNTU accepted when I first installed it a while ago..
I could install a new driver to use WPA, but 64 bit WEP should be enough where I live since I doubt that there are too many around here that will try to hack my wireless router anyway..

But you're right about that not too many seems to be using any encryption at all.
It's no problem finding open WLANs in my area as well..

mmarsh

I am a mixed bag. I keep my WLAN OFF because I have no need for it. On the rare occasions I enable it I use WEP. WEP can be hacked but I keep it on only for short periods so its an acceptable risk. I wouldn't use WEP long term however.

However one of the easiest methods to secure your WLAN is to rename your router to something not easy to Figure out and disable the SSID broadcast. This will camouflage the Network so troublemakers wont see it.

All you have to do then is on the client, manually enter the SSID and your good.

I generally prefer this method because while its not easy to hack a wireless network its not impossible either. Hackers cannot hack the Network of they don't know its even there...

I wouldnt do this however in a public enviroment, but for a household its enough.

If your really feeling paranoid you can do this AND enable WEP or WPA. You can also do MAC filtering but the trouble is you must continuely update the MAC lists. Its a lot of maintenance. I guess it depends on the environment.