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Wireless Security

julesandsand
Grafter
Posts: 176
Registered: ‎18-02-2009

Wireless Security

I would like to share my experience of WEP security (or lack of it). Prior to returning to PN I was with Zen with a 25Gb monthly allowance. I had my Belkin modem/router set up with WEP encryption (couldn't get my Squeezebox to work with anything else). My monthly usage was slowly creeping up from about 8-10gig/month to 15-20. I put this down to my file-sharing and gaming children. However in November my usage went to 30Gb. No viruses detected and children swearing it wasn't them. I changed the modem/router and used WPA2 security and lo and behold usage back down to under 10Gb. Obviously someone nearby had cracked the WEP encryption and was using my connection.
I wouldn't mind sharing but what if they were downloading inappropriate/illegal material?
7 REPLIES 7
Oldjim
Resting Legend
Posts: 38,460
Thanks: 787
Fixes: 63
Registered: ‎15-06-2007

Re: Wireless Security

Potentially you are either in trouble or have a get out of jail free excuse - take your pick but that is why WPA and a restricted access list plus changing the default password on the router is absolutely essential
julesandsand
Grafter
Posts: 176
Registered: ‎18-02-2009

Re: Wireless Security

Well if my 'neighbour' has been downloading illegal games or child pornography the appropriate authorities are welcome to inspect all the family's PCs, however as the burden of proof USED to be on the accuser..............................
jelv
Seasoned Hero
Posts: 26,785
Thanks: 971
Fixes: 10
Registered: ‎10-04-2007

Re: Wireless Security

They'll have the proof if "your" visits to dubious sites have been recorded by ZEN. They won't need (or want) to inspect your PCs.
jelv (a.k.a Spoon Whittler)
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julesandsand
Grafter
Posts: 176
Registered: ‎18-02-2009

Re: Wireless Security

Surely the downloads are recorded by IP address which would be my router's regardless of who was actually doing it? I seem to remember seeing an item on Watchdog in which people were being accused of illegally downloading games when actually their networks were not secured and it was others who were doing it.
VileReynard
Hero
Posts: 12,616
Thanks: 582
Fixes: 20
Registered: ‎01-09-2007

Re: Wireless Security

I don't think you have anything to worry about.
You put the equivalent of a Yale lock on your router - just because you didn't add a mortise lock as well it doesn't make you culpable.
You can't accidentally break into WEP - you have to deliberately spend a couple of minutes running appropriate software to do so.

"In The Beginning Was The Word, And The Word Was Aardvark."

samuria
Grafter
Posts: 1,581
Thanks: 3
Registered: ‎13-04-2007

Re: Wireless Security

The chances are very small but if you are very unlucky you could be in big trouble. We had a case near us were someone had done this and download child porn. The police traced the ip to the router and raided the house and seized all the pc's for inspection which can take up to a year. The householder was arrested and interviewed and this meant he was then considered a sex offender by his neighbors who heard about it.
It was eventually traced to someone using his router but the whole experience is not something you want. Of coarse this is a very rare case but it does happen and the Police powers are frightening
VileReynard
Hero
Posts: 12,616
Thanks: 582
Fixes: 20
Registered: ‎01-09-2007

Re: Wireless Security

Quote from: Samuria
... and the Police powers are frightening

That's because we are rapidly approaching the condition known as living in a police state.

"In The Beginning Was The Word, And The Word Was Aardvark."