Newbie and security protocols

I keep hearing/reading that one should use WEP encryption or higher. I
have a D-LINK 524 Wireless Router and broadband. I am currently using
MAC address filtering. I live in a hi-rise building. Only a few users
or wireless access points appear nearby. I have my antennae stength at
low (12%).

Should I be concerned with security or someone "sniffing" my packets? I
choose to use MAC address filtering because I get better speeds with my
broadband connection than using WEP. Nobody ever mentions why one should
NOT use MAC filtering.

Thanks
M

On Wed, 18 May 2005 04:41:59 GMT, "Just curious" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>I keep hearing/reading that one should use WEP encryption or higher. I
>have a D-LINK 524 Wireless Router and broadband. I am currently using
>MAC address filtering. I live in a hi-rise building. Only a few users
>or wireless access points appear nearby. I have my antennae stength at
>low (12%).

That keeps the world from hearing your access point. It does nothing
for preventing the world from hearing your wireless client radio,
which probably lacks a power adjustment.

>Should I be concerned with security or someone "sniffing" my packets?

Oh yes.

>I
>choose to use MAC address filtering because I get better speeds with my
>broadband connection than using WEP. Nobody ever mentions why one should
>NOT use MAC filtering.

Enabling WEP usually causes a 10% loss in performance, although some
of the more ancient incantations will result in perhaps as much as a
20% reduction in thruput speed.

MAC filtering is probably a good idea as it eliminates "accidental"
connections from random users. However, MAC addresses are very easy
to spoof. Windoze does not use the MAC address of the wireless card,
but instead uses whatever is buried in the registry. There are even
programs available to manually change your MAC address. If someone
sniffs your traffic, the MAC addresses are all in the clear, not
encrypted, and easily extracted.

http://www.klcconsulting.net/smac/

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831.336.2558 voice http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
# (E-Mail Removed)
# (E-Mail Removed) AE6KS

"Just curious" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:rIzie.1398625$6l.932949@pd7tw2no...
>I keep hearing/reading that one should use WEP encryption or higher. I
> have a D-LINK 524 Wireless Router and broadband. I am currently using
> MAC address filtering. I live in a hi-rise building. Only a few users
> or wireless access points appear nearby. I have my antennae stength at
> low (12%).
>
> Should I be concerned with security or someone "sniffing" my packets?

YES!!!

The software and instructions how to use it is available on the internet to
do just what you are talking about.

Be advised that using an un-crypted wireless network is like using your
portable or cell phone.
Other people CAN be listening in and snooping in your business.
Even WEP or the latest WEA is not a sure fire protection.
If you want a more secure network go with a hard wired Ethernet cable.

William Lee

"Will-Lee-Cue" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:X7Hie.95414$(E-Mail Removed)...
:
: YES!!!
:
: The software and instructions how to use it is available on the
internet to
: do just what you are talking about.
:
: Be advised that using an un-crypted wireless network is like using
your
: portable or cell phone.
: Other people CAN be listening in and snooping in your business.
: Even WEP or the latest WEA is not a sure fire protection.
: If you want a more secure network go with a hard wired Ethernet cable.
:
Indeed, hard wired is the way to go. So, I guess I should leave it as
is: MAC address filtering since if someone really wants to get in, they
will, right?

Also, obviously there are hack programs out there that teach one how to
hack into wireless systems. Are there any that can actually monitor
your wireless network for such attempts, including cloning MAC
addresses?