Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Do you have a wireless network without knowing it?
WiFi technology is so cheap and easy these days that you may have set up a wireless network without meaning to.
Broadband ISPs usually supply you with a box to connect your computers to the network. That box may be versatile and offer you several ways to connect. Some boxes (or "home portals") allow wireless connections but keep the antennas on the inside, like this nifty gadget which SBC is sending to customers. So just by looking you can't tell that it's a wireless networking device.
What if your installer leaves the wireless option turned on? Then you're blindly sharing your Internet connection and your home network with everyone inside radio range.
You're a neighborly person, I know, and you may decide this is just fine. On the other hand, you may not want the pervert next door surfing for who-knows-what over your connection. You may also be sharing files on your home network without wanting to share them with the neighbors.
Rumor has it that some ISPs are actually installing open wireless access points for unsuspecting customers. I haven't tracked down authoritative details, but reports are circulating that ISPs in California and New England have been leaving their customers open. One ISP, allegedly, has been installing wireless-capable access points without even the luggage-lock security of "WEP" (Wired Equivalent Privacy).
Your best move is to dig out the manual for your "portal", "cable modem", "home gateway", "DSL modem" or whatever it's called and look up how to check its settings. Usually you just type its network address into your browser, for example http://192.168;123.254. Then turn off any networking features you're sure you don't need. Which is just what you should do anyway with any piece of security-related equipment.
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Broadband ISPs usually supply you with a box to connect your computers to the network. That box may be versatile and offer you several ways to connect. Some boxes (or "home portals") allow wireless connections but keep the antennas on the inside, like this nifty gadget which SBC is sending to customers. So just by looking you can't tell that it's a wireless networking device.
What if your installer leaves the wireless option turned on? Then you're blindly sharing your Internet connection and your home network with everyone inside radio range.
You're a neighborly person, I know, and you may decide this is just fine. On the other hand, you may not want the pervert next door surfing for who-knows-what over your connection. You may also be sharing files on your home network without wanting to share them with the neighbors.
Rumor has it that some ISPs are actually installing open wireless access points for unsuspecting customers. I haven't tracked down authoritative details, but reports are circulating that ISPs in California and New England have been leaving their customers open. One ISP, allegedly, has been installing wireless-capable access points without even the luggage-lock security of "WEP" (Wired Equivalent Privacy).
Your best move is to dig out the manual for your "portal", "cable modem", "home gateway", "DSL modem" or whatever it's called and look up how to check its settings. Usually you just type its network address into your browser, for example http://192.168;123.254. Then turn off any networking features you're sure you don't need. Which is just what you should do anyway with any piece of security-related equipment.
# posted by Frederick @ 4:57 PM Email to a friend:
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