WLAN question

[The Methematician]

So, I am connected to this unencrypted wlan network, what security risks could I be exposed to ?

Can people just browse my stuffs on my hdd or something like that ??

How to be safe ??

[oddballz194]

Your machine is exposed to the same extent as it would be on a wired network. If you have vulnerabilities in your system (which you do, whether they're known or not yet discovered), they can be exploited if someone else finds them.

Normally, they wouldn't be able to browse your hard drives unless you share them publicly. They can browse shared folders, of course.

It's also possible for the owner of the wireless network to intercept packets headed for the Internet and modify them. They can also simply sit and sniff for passwords (on unencrypted connections). My recommendation is to use tor to reduce allof the risks, and make sure you're not running any network-visible services (Windows file and printer sharing, for example).

[The Methematician]

Oh, I see. Is there anything that will kinda hide my computer while connected ???

As far as I'm know, I didn't have any shared folder. Need to double check now. Does disabling "client for M$" hides my hdds and connections ??

[oddballz194]

Originally Posted by The Methematician

Oh, I see. Is there anything that will kinda hide my computer while connected ???

As far as I'm know, I didn't have any shared folder. Need to double check now. Does disabling "client for M$" hides my hdds and connections ??

Your connections to the internet through the wireless network can't be hidden. There will always be ways to detect them.

Usually, removing client for microsoft networks removes windows file and printer sharing, so that's a definite maybe in answer to your question, since other software can provide file sharing capability.

[The Methematician]

Ok...thankz. I still don;t know if I should hack this router or not. I could get to it's config page, but divided as to whether I should enable the encryption thingy....and maybe some other things....

or just leave it alone.....

[Surge]

Originally Posted by The Methematician

Ok...thankz. I still don;t know if I should hack this router or not. I could get to it's config page, but divided as to whether I should enable the encryption thingy....and maybe some other things....

or just leave it alone.....

Bear in mind that any changes you make can easily be reset by the owner via a hard reboot. And if you decide to fiddle with the settings its only going to alert the network's owner to your presence, most likely prompting them to tighten up security. Enjoy the free internet and don't be an idiot

[The Methematician]

Originally Posted by Surge

Bear in mind that any changes you make can easily be reset by the owner via a hard reboot. And if you decide to fiddle with the settings its only going to alert the network's owner to your presence, most likely prompting them to tighten up security. Enjoy the free internet and don't be an idiot

Yea, I kno. The reason I consider changing things a bit is because I think the owner might not be aware that s/he's router had wifi enabled.

Going to check the logs soon....just to be sure...

[EricFGregory]

On a local area network all traffic is susceptible to both passive and aggressive sniffing to the highest degree. This means that someone can actually place a machine between the network and it's out-point and read everything you do.
The easiest protection against this is encrypted tunnels out. VPN or SSH are good for this.
Also, unlike most ISPs, which will block Netbios communications, this LAN will not. The person will be able to see any shares you have running, if any accept anonymous logins they will be able to look at these shares and work with them.
If you have shit passwords the c$ share will allow them to rape your box.

[jackketch]

On a separate note for the Brits among us: Unauthorised use of another's Wifi is a criminal offence in itself. Last people I heard of got 6 months.

If like me you don't give a flying fuck about people using your Wifi then you need to name your WLAN/router accordingly. For example mine is called "Piggy_backing_allowed_play_fair".

[The Methematician]

Originally Posted by jackketch

On a separate note for the Brits among us: Unauthorised use of another's Wifi is a criminal offence in itself. Last people I heard of got 6 months.

If like me you don't give a flying fuck about people using your Wifi then you need to name your WLAN/router accordingly. For example mine is called "Piggy_backing_allowed_play_fair".

Does it applies to unauthorized use of UN-secured wifi as well ?

On wifi related topic.... I think we should have a wifi hacking tools section....