A Study of Wireless Networks and Security
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Sat Mar 4, 2006 8:05:37 AM
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Hello,
In this article on wireless, you mention the term 'warchalking', which you are using incorrectly. Warchalking is the physical marking of a territory with symbols that can tell passers-by if there is an AP within range, the information about the AP, and so on. Mapping, on the other hand, is just a standard term and would apply to, well, mapping access points. Surely, other words could be used, but "warchalking" is the incorrect term. Good thing you didn't use it all over the place.
Also, I highly disagree that encryption, on the transport level, is an effective means of keeping one out of a network (as described as the best method on the first page), unless you have some sort of way of changing pseudo-random keys on a certain time frame. It makes setup more complex for anyone you want to add to the network, and it sometimes has failures with some hardware (attributed more to the quality of the drivers or applications using that hardware than the hardware itself). It takes hardly any time now to crack a WEP key, especially when the wireless is in use. Access lists (mac filtering) is usually a bit stronger, as tools for Windows users that can sniff passively for alternate MACs, as well as the ease of use on MAC hijacking to bypass, aren't as readily available on Windows as other operating systems that are not as widely used (read Linux or MacOS + Kismet, etc). Application-based security is normally the best solution.
For 802.11a... on a small scale, it is usually cheaper than 802.11g. eBay proves this. Simple 802.11a home network with 3 cards for ~$60 shipped, and no 2.4ghz interference. Range is not as high, and power requirements are a bit higher, but security (mostly through obscurity, partially due to FSSS) is generally higher for 802.11a compared to g/b (as you well know).
Just for your information... I am developing a web-based .NS1 editor and converter, so you can strip out extra, unneeded GPS reads and convert files to older formats (0.4 to 0.3.3 for example) or from/toother formats (WiFiFoFum from PDAs, etc). Just a plug...I need time to work on it and finish it, I have the reading and decoding done ... just not the interface or processing. ;x
--Happy wardriver using Inspiron 8000 + Orinoco, modded Tripmate & 8db omni; hp ipaq hx4700 + wififofum and GPS, and soon the carputer with 16db omni and some form of high sensitivity directional on an old buick--
In this article on wireless, you mention the term 'warchalking', which you are using incorrectly. Warchalking is the physical marking of a territory with symbols that can tell passers-by if there is an AP within range, the information about the AP, and so on. Mapping, on the other hand, is just a standard term and would apply to, well, mapping access points. Surely, other words could be used, but "warchalking" is the incorrect term. Good thing you didn't use it all over the place.
Also, I highly disagree that encryption, on the transport level, is an effective means of keeping one out of a network (as described as the best method on the first page), unless you have some sort of way of changing pseudo-random keys on a certain time frame. It makes setup more complex for anyone you want to add to the network, and it sometimes has failures with some hardware (attributed more to the quality of the drivers or applications using that hardware than the hardware itself). It takes hardly any time now to crack a WEP key, especially when the wireless is in use. Access lists (mac filtering) is usually a bit stronger, as tools for Windows users that can sniff passively for alternate MACs, as well as the ease of use on MAC hijacking to bypass, aren't as readily available on Windows as other operating systems that are not as widely used (read Linux or MacOS + Kismet, etc). Application-based security is normally the best solution.
For 802.11a... on a small scale, it is usually cheaper than 802.11g. eBay proves this.
Simple 802.11a home network with 3 cards for ~$60 shipped, and no 2.4ghz interference. Range is not as high, and power requirements are a bit higher, but security (mostly through obscurity, partially due to FSSS) is generally higher for 802.11a compared to g/b (as you well know).Just for your information... I am developing a web-based .NS1 editor and converter, so you can strip out extra, unneeded GPS reads and convert files to older formats (0.4 to 0.3.3 for example) or from/toother formats (WiFiFoFum from PDAs, etc). Just a plug...I need time to work on it and finish it, I have the reading and decoding done ... just not the interface or processing. ;x
--Happy wardriver using Inspiron 8000 + Orinoco, modded Tripmate & 8db omni; hp ipaq hx4700 + wififofum and GPS, and soon the carputer with 16db omni and some form of high sensitivity directional on an old buick
--
Down and out until time comes about :/
2014: Year of change.
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Joined: June 14, 2004
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2014: Year of change.
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