How can I hack and secure my wireless network?

[ArcticFox]

Later today I'll be getting my Netgear WG511 802.11G PCCard for my laptop, so I can make good use of my Netgear WGR614 router. I'd like to experiment in hacking my network using whatever means necessary, not only for kicks but to test out new security methods. Please note that I WILL NOT use my know-how for cruel purposes or to otherwise breach the security of other people's networks. If I wanted to do that, why would I use Windows Update and NAV on every client computer I touch?

I know that this is a dicey topic, but sometimes it's best to get dirty and make sure your network is secure, especially when wireless. I figured someone here would offer some help.

Now with that out of the way, does anyone know of programs to sniff packets/generate a WEP key or other things to break through a WLAN? I have found various scripts online but have no clue how to use them. Any help would be appreciated, as would tips on securing my lair.

I have done the obvious (made a very sexy WEP key, turned off SSID broadcasting, the works) and my router is not even using wireless yet as I disabled it until I get my card. I use the latest release firmware for my router and have the latest Service Packs/updates with a firewall running and anti-virus.

Good day to you.

alot of the wireless software made for windows is very expsensive as its designed to be used in a corporation to help them find weakness in their networks

how familiar are you with linux? because most of the free toys to play around with are under linux. (thank god too or the world would have a bunch of script kiddies dancing around outside thinking they were cool breaking into wireless networks

http://www.natecarlson.com/linux/wireless-sniff.php

http://www.tipsybottle.com/technolog...et-HOWTO.shtml


programs to look into for linux

airsnort and kismet are the only real two software titles that come to mind that people like to use.

btw i found this for netgear, dont know if you wanted to check it out

just in case you missed this thread

[ArcticFox]

Thanks, but I really don't know much about Linux, and I run Win2k on my laptop. I found some scripts, but I didn't know how to use them, plus I guess it needs to be compatible with my PCCard.

[whitebeard21]

What you are asking would take a book to answer so here it is.

Maximum Wireless Security
By Cyrus Peikari, Seth Fogie

Publisher : Sams Publishing
Pub Date : December 18, 2002
ISBN : 0-672-32488-1
Pages : 408
This is an excelent book for beginners.

[ArcticFox]

Neat! TY

[phenious]

I wont go into detail about lenghty explinations on how to hack a wireless lan as this isnt the place. But here are some good tips you may have already read about.

Change your SSID. You cant connect to a network unless you know its ID. Routers all have the same ID when they are shipped so change it to something else.

Now that you changed it disable broadcasting of the ID otherwise changing it didnt do any good.

Enable Wep. Highest setting your router supports and randomly generate a key. 0000000000000000000 isnt a good key...

Enable MAC Filtering. With this setting only known MAC address will be allowed to access your router. That alone will stop most people.

if you have a comptuer wired to the wireless router disable acess to the router config via wireless settings. This way they cant try to guess your router password and play with your settings.

If you have a wired and wireless lan and wanna be extra secure get a second IP from your ISP. Normally a few extra bucks a month. Have a Hub connected to the Modem and the routers to the hub. Give each their own IP and now they wont be able to access each other. THis will prevent anyone who manages to get on your Wireless network getting to your wired lan.

Doing all of this should stop anybody driving around with Netstubler or the regular built in windows detection from hopping onto your network for free.

-: phenious :-

[ArcticFox]

The only thing I didn't do is enable MAC filtering, but I'll be sure to do that.

Thank you for the tips!

[nochay]

hey! no hacking on the big "T" forums! haha. J/K. I will actually monitor this thread, as I am considering moving to a wireless internet service, and ditching sprint. What is the typical range of a wireless internet hookup? If I got the wireless internet, how could I "log on" to my network? I.E. be 5 miles away and get onto my network?

Dane

hey fox check this out

http://www.techimo.com/forum/t96841.html

perhaps your card is supported in this knoppix verison

[ArcticFox]

I don't want to use Knoppix as it runs from the CD. If anything I will be running RedHat but possibly Mandrake on my desktop which does not yet have a wireless card.

And nochay - 5 Miles? Not without hundreds of repeaters/bridges! lol

Edit - my bad! Actually, I will take a look at that Knoppix thing. Seems pretty cool!