Encryption Public WLAN

Just wondering how encryption is impemented on a WLAN. Seems to me that WEP
keys are way too awkward to use and many users would not have wireless
adapters that support WAP. I suppose you would want the lowest common
denominator, which would mean unencrypted. Is that how most public hotspots
work or am I totally missing something obvious here?
thanks

Most wireless routers / wireless access points allow the user to easily
enable WEP and WPA. Most of today's routers, APs, adapter cards and
notebook cards allow the user to simply place a checkmark in the box that
reads, "enable encryption". Then the user simply creates a passphrase.
With that in mind, I recommend that you definitely enable encryption,
specifically WPA if available. WEP is fine, but I suggest changing the
passphrase once a week or so.


"Ruth" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in news:fof4d.491382$gE.195494@pd7tw3no:

> Just wondering how encryption is impemented on a WLAN. Seems to me
> that WEP keys are way too awkward to use and many users would not have
> wireless adapters that support WAP. I suppose you would want the
> lowest common denominator, which would mean unencrypted. Is that how
> most public hotspots work or am I totally missing something obvious
> here? thanks
>
>
>

It depends upon the situation. If you have a home network, lock things down
with WEP or better yet, WPA. If you are providing wireless access to your
customers such as a restaurant or coffee shop, leave it open. At that
point, it is up to them to protect themselves, but you have provided them
simple access.

Jeff


"Ruth" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:fof4d.491382$gE.195494@pd7tw3no...
> Just wondering how encryption is impemented on a WLAN. Seems to me that
> WEP keys are way too awkward to use and many users would not have wireless
> adapters that support WAP. I suppose you would want the lowest common
> denominator, which would mean unencrypted. Is that how most public
> hotspots work or am I totally missing something obvious here?
> thanks
>

Sorry, I forgot to specify PUBLIC WLAN. Again handing out encryption keys
to clients seems a bit of a pain for the proprietor. Is this "how it's
done" or is there a way to download the key once authentication with the
gateway is established? That means WAP tho as I understand it, whiche WEP
people with older HW are locked out. What do current hotspot users do for
this?


"Doug Jamal" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:Xns956CC37889C3CERASEbishiv6atyahood@65.32.5. 172...
> Most wireless routers / wireless access points allow the user to easily
> enable WEP and WPA. Most of today's routers, APs, adapter cards and
> notebook cards allow the user to simply place a checkmark in the box that
> reads, "enable encryption". Then the user simply creates a passphrase.
> With that in mind, I recommend that you definitely enable encryption,
> specifically WPA if available. WEP is fine, but I suggest changing the
> passphrase once a week or so.
>
>
> "Ruth" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in news:fof4d.491382$gE.195494@pd7tw3no:
>
>> Just wondering how encryption is impemented on a WLAN. Seems to me
>> that WEP keys are way too awkward to use and many users would not have
>> wireless adapters that support WAP. I suppose you would want the
>> lowest common denominator, which would mean unencrypted. Is that how
>> most public hotspots work or am I totally missing something obvious
>> here? thanks
>>
>>
>>
>

One other point... If you do leave access open, be sure this is separate
from any other business computers that might be on the network. You do not
want to allow people free access to those. The routing should be setup in
such a way that all the wireless user gets is internet access.

Here is an example. With my ISP, I can obtain two dynamic IP addresses.
With one address, I would add a router/firewall and put all of my business
computers behind it. I might even add wireless to that portion, but it
would locked down and have a unique SSID. With the other address, I would
add a router/firewall (a little extra protection for customers from people
on the internet) with a wireless access point. This would be open as for
security so people could just connect without any special setup required.

Jeff


"Jeff Durham" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%Xp4d.90125$(E-Mail Removed)...
> It depends upon the situation. If you have a home network, lock things
> down with WEP or better yet, WPA. If you are providing wireless access to
> your customers such as a restaurant or coffee shop, leave it open. At
> that point, it is up to them to protect themselves, but you have provided
> them simple access.
>
> Jeff
>
>
> "Ruth" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:fof4d.491382$gE.195494@pd7tw3no...
>> Just wondering how encryption is impemented on a WLAN. Seems to me that
>> WEP keys are way too awkward to use and many users would not have
>> wireless adapters that support WAP. I suppose you would want the lowest
>> common denominator, which would mean unencrypted. Is that how most public
>> hotspots work or am I totally missing something obvious here?
>> thanks
>>
>
>

Thanks Jeff and Doug

As viewed from alt.internet.wireless, Doug Jamal wrote:

>"Ruth" wrote:
>> Just wondering how encryption is impemented on a WLAN. Seems to me
>> that WEP keys are way too awkward to use and many users would not
>> have wireless adapters that support WAP. I suppose you would want
>> the lowest common denominator, which would mean unencrypted. Is
>> that how most public hotspots work or am I totally missing
>> something obvious here? thanks

>Most wireless routers / wireless access points allow the user to
>easily enable WEP and WPA. Most of today's routers, APs, adapter
>cards and notebook cards allow the user to simply place a checkmark
>in the box that reads, "enable encryption". Then the user simply
>creates a passphrase. With that in mind, I recommend that you
>definitely enable encryption, specifically WPA if available. WEP
>is fine, but I suggest changing the passphrase once a week or so.

And who educates each and every clueless coffee shop customer about
how to plug the correct encryption keys into all of their various
brands of wi-fi cards on their various brands of laptops with their
various operating systems? The shop owner and his employees would
not only have to be very broadly technically knowledgeable, but
wouldn't have much time to sell coffee...

--
Jafo

Jeff Durham wrote:

>One other point... If you do leave access open, be sure this is separate
>from any other business computers that might be on the network. You do not
>want to allow people free access to those. The routing should be setup in
>such a way that all the wireless user gets is internet access.
>
>Here is an example. With my ISP, I can obtain two dynamic IP addresses.
>With one address, I would add a router/firewall and put all of my business
>computers behind it. I might even add wireless to that portion, but it
>would locked down and have a unique SSID. With the other address, I would
>add a router/firewall (a little extra protection for customers from people
>on the internet) with a wireless access point. This would be open as for
>security so people could just connect without any special setup required.
>
>Jeff
>
>
>"Jeff Durham" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:%Xp4d.90125$(E-Mail Removed). ..
>
>
>>It depends upon the situation. If you have a home network, lock things
>>down with WEP or better yet, WPA. If you are providing wireless access to
>>your customers such as a restaurant or coffee shop, leave it open. At
>>that point, it is up to them to protect themselves, but you have provided
>>them simple access.
>>
>>Jeff
>>
>>
>>"Ruth" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>news:fof4d.491382$gE.195494@pd7tw3no...
>>
>>
>>>Just wondering how encryption is impemented on a WLAN. Seems to me that
>>>WEP keys are way too awkward to use and many users would not have
>>>wireless adapters that support WAP. I suppose you would want the lowest
>>>common denominator, which would mean unencrypted. Is that how most public
>>>hotspots work or am I totally missing something obvious here?
>>>thanks
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
Though I'm sure most public wireless access is not in any way secured,
it would be good to at least turn off file sharing on that subnet to
protect users who have shares enabled but don't know about the security
risk.

Many PUBLIC WLAN do not require encryption. Unless you're prepared to
charge people a fee for accessing your WLAN, it is not feasible to enable
encryption. On the other hand, there is software available that will
assist you in setting up a fee based WLAN for public use. Many hotels and
coffee shoppes, for example, implement such fee based WLANs. I'm quite
sure that some of the people who frequent this newsgroup can shed more
light on this issue and provide you with the name of such programs.


"Ruth" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in news:a%p4d.495660$gE.100049@pd7tw3no:

> Sorry, I forgot to specify PUBLIC WLAN. Again handing out encryption
> keys to clients seems a bit of a pain for the proprietor. Is this
> "how it's done" or is there a way to download the key once
> authentication with the gateway is established? That means WAP tho as
> I understand it, whiche WEP people with older HW are locked out. What
> do current hotspot users do for this?
>
>
> "Doug Jamal" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:Xns956CC37889C3CERASEbishiv6atyahood@65.32.5. 172...
>> Most wireless routers / wireless access points allow the user to
>> easily enable WEP and WPA. Most of today's routers, APs, adapter
>> cards and notebook cards allow the user to simply place a checkmark
>> in the box that reads, "enable encryption". Then the user simply
>> creates a passphrase. With that in mind, I recommend that you
>> definitely enable encryption, specifically WPA if available. WEP is
>> fine, but I suggest changing the passphrase once a week or so.
>>
>>
>> "Ruth" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>> news:fof4d.491382$gE.195494@pd7tw3no:
>>
>>> Just wondering how encryption is impemented on a WLAN. Seems to me
>>> that WEP keys are way too awkward to use and many users would not
>>> have wireless adapters that support WAP. I suppose you would want
>>> the lowest common denominator, which would mean unencrypted. Is that
>>> how most public hotspots work or am I totally missing something
>>> obvious here? thanks
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>

You're welcome Ruth. To assist and find assistance is what these newsgroups
are for. Take care and remember that we are all learning.

"Ruth" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in news:FkA4d.80850$%S.77656@pd7tw2no:

> Thanks Jeff and Doug
>
>