On a wireless network, is there a way to block a particular computer,
or all computes except for a particular computer, from accessing the
internet through your router? Password encryption doesn't work for my
purpose. I know that you can install packet sniffers on your local
computer that access resources requested and sent through your router,
so I figure there must be a way to block those requests. I can give
more information on request, but I figured I'd keep it as simple as
possible unless otherwise necessary.
Any suggestions are much appreciated, and Thanks in advance for any
help!
-Kelie
Kelie wrote:
> On a wireless network, is there a way to block a particular computer,
> or all computes except for a particular computer, from accessing the
> internet through your router? Password encryption doesn't work for my
> purpose. I know that you can install packet sniffers on your local
> computer that access resources requested and sent through your router,
> so I figure there must be a way to block those requests. I can give
> more information on request, but I figured I'd keep it as simple as
> possible unless otherwise necessary.
>
> Any suggestions are much appreciated, and Thanks in advance for any
> help!
> -Kelie
>
"Kelie" <mann_jess@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1161849962.295024.161460@m7g2000cwm.googlegro ups.com...
> On a wireless network, is there a way to block a particular computer,
> or all computes except for a particular computer, from accessing the
> internet through your router? Password encryption doesn't work for my
> purpose. I know that you can install packet sniffers on your local
> computer that access resources requested and sent through your router,
> so I figure there must be a way to block those requests. I can give
> more information on request, but I figured I'd keep it as simple as
> possible unless otherwise necessary.
>
> Any suggestions are much appreciated, and Thanks in advance for any
> help!
> -Kelie
>
Look through your router configuration for a setting named something like
'MAC address filter'. On mine, when enabled you can allow only listed
computers by MAC address, or disallow listed computers.
Of course, someone maybe able to 'clone' a MAC address - see the lengthy
discussion in alt.computer.security named
'change my IP address'.
On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 18:09:17 GMT, "Stuart Miller"
<stuart_miller@shaw.ca> wrote in <hR60h.192931$5R2.68080@pd7urf3no>:
>"Kelie" <mann_jess@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:1161849962.295024.161460@m7g2000cwm.googlegr oups.com...
>> On a wireless network, is there a way to block a particular computer,
>> or all computes except for a particular computer, from accessing the
>> internet through your router? Password encryption doesn't work for my
>> purpose. I know that you can install packet sniffers on your local
>> computer that access resources requested and sent through your router,
>> so I figure there must be a way to block those requests. I can give
>> more information on request, but I figured I'd keep it as simple as
>> possible unless otherwise necessary.
>>
>> Any suggestions are much appreciated, and Thanks in advance for any
>> help!
>>
>Look through your router configuration for a setting named something like
>'MAC address filter'. On mine, when enabled you can allow only listed
>computers by MAC address, or disallow listed computers.
>Of course, someone maybe able to 'clone' a MAC address - see the lengthy
>discussion in alt.computer.security named
>'change my IP address'.
MAC address filtering is a pointless waste of time. Only encryption
really matters, and only WPA with a strong passphrase is really secure.
--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
Thanks to both of you for your help. That was just what I was looking
for!
Thanks again!,
-Jess
John Navas wrote:
> On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 18:09:17 GMT, "Stuart Miller"
> <stuart_miller@shaw.ca> wrote in <hR60h.192931$5R2.68080@pd7urf3no>:
>
> >"Kelie" <mann_jess@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >news:1161849962.295024.161460@m7g2000cwm.googlegr oups.com...
> >> On a wireless network, is there a way to block a particular computer,
> >> or all computes except for a particular computer, from accessing the
> >> internet through your router? Password encryption doesn't work for my
> >> purpose. I know that you can install packet sniffers on your local
> >> computer that access resources requested and sent through your router,
> >> so I figure there must be a way to block those requests. I can give
> >> more information on request, but I figured I'd keep it as simple as
> >> possible unless otherwise necessary.
> >>
> >> Any suggestions are much appreciated, and Thanks in advance for any
> >> help!
> >>
> >Look through your router configuration for a setting named something like
> >'MAC address filter'. On mine, when enabled you can allow only listed
> >computers by MAC address, or disallow listed computers.
> >Of course, someone maybe able to 'clone' a MAC address - see the lengthy
> >discussion in alt.computer.security named
> >'change my IP address'.
>
> MAC address filtering is a pointless waste of time. Only encryption
> really matters, and only WPA with a strong passphrase is really secure.
>
> --
> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
Thanks to both of you for your help. That was just what I was looking
for!
Thanks again!
Stuart Miller wrote:
> "Kelie" <mann_jess@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1161849962.295024.161460@m7g2000cwm.googlegro ups.com...
> > On a wireless network, is there a way to block a particular computer,
> > or all computes except for a particular computer, from accessing the
> > internet through your router? Password encryption doesn't work for my
> > purpose. I know that you can install packet sniffers on your local
> > computer that access resources requested and sent through your router,
> > so I figure there must be a way to block those requests. I can give
> > more information on request, but I figured I'd keep it as simple as
> > possible unless otherwise necessary.
> >
> > Any suggestions are much appreciated, and Thanks in advance for any
> > help!
> > -Kelie
> >
> Look through your router configuration for a setting named something like
> 'MAC address filter'. On mine, when enabled you can allow only listed
> computers by MAC address, or disallow listed computers.
> Of course, someone maybe able to 'clone' a MAC address - see the lengthy
> discussion in alt.computer.security named
> 'change my IP address'.
>
> Stuart
"John Navas" <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote in message
news:5b12k2tvspnturp6h3kokto1rrv9ao3vpt@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 18:09:17 GMT, "Stuart Miller"
> <stuart_miller@shaw.ca> wrote in <hR60h.192931$5R2.68080@pd7urf3no>:
>
> >"Kelie" <mann_jess@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >news:1161849962.295024.161460@m7g2000cwm.googlegr oups.com...
> >> On a wireless network, is there a way to block a particular computer,
> >> or all computes except for a particular computer, from accessing the
> >> internet through your router? Password encryption doesn't work for my
> >> purpose. I know that you can install packet sniffers on your local
> >> computer that access resources requested and sent through your router,
> >> so I figure there must be a way to block those requests. I can give
> >> more information on request, but I figured I'd keep it as simple as
> >> possible unless otherwise necessary.
> >>
> >> Any suggestions are much appreciated, and Thanks in advance for any
> >> help!
> >>
> >Look through your router configuration for a setting named something like
> >'MAC address filter'. On mine, when enabled you can allow only listed
> >computers by MAC address, or disallow listed computers.
> >Of course, someone maybe able to 'clone' a MAC address - see the lengthy
> >discussion in alt.computer.security named
> >'change my IP address'.
>
> MAC address filtering is a pointless waste of time. Only encryption
> really matters, and only WPA with a strong passphrase is really secure.
Actually for what the OP wants to do, and as described by Stuart, MAC
filtering/blocking will achieve what the OP wants to do. He wants to block
non authorized users. If his system is small enough so the management will
not be so time consuming, he can configure his router to allow only certain
MAC addresses in.
8<-----------------------------------
>
> MAC address filtering is a pointless waste of time. Only encryption
> really matters, and only WPA with a strong passphrase is really secure.
>
Please help me here.
I don't have a great knowledge of how to break security systems.
Why is filtering a waste of time? It took me less than 10 minutes to set it
up here.
Why is it pointless?
Other than knowing which address to clone, how easy is it to break the
filtering algorithm in the router?
Brute force attack? 12 hex digits 2.8 * 10^^14 possibilities....
How can a total outsider find out which MAC addresses are inside?
> --
> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
> > MAC address filtering is a pointless waste of time. Only encryption
> > really matters, and only WPA with a strong passphrase is really secure.
>
> Please help me here.
> I don't have a great knowledge of how to break security systems.
>
> Why is filtering a waste of time? It took me less than 10 minutes to set it
> up here.
> Why is it pointless?
> Other than knowing which address to clone, how easy is it to break the
> filtering algorithm in the router?
> Brute force attack? 12 hex digits 2.8 * 10^^14 possibilities....
> How can a total outsider find out which MAC addresses are inside?
On 26 Oct 2006 01:06:02 -0700, in alt.internet.wireless , "Kelie"
<mann_jess@yahoo.com> wrote:
>On a wireless network, is there a way to block a particular computer,
>or all computes except for a particular computer, from accessing the
>internet through your router?
Some routers let you do that, you'd have to read the fine manual.
Otherwise you could install proxy server software on a PC thats
always on, and point all the other PCs at this for their net access.
The proxy would block or allow users as you wanted to .
On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 18:09:17 GMT, in alt.internet.wireless , "Stuart
Miller" <stuart_miller@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
>"Kelie" <mann_jess@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:1161849962.295024.161460@m7g2000cwm.googlegr oups.com...
>> On a wireless network, is there a way to block a particular computer,
>> or all computes except for a particular computer, from accessing the
>> internet through your router?
>>
>Look through your router configuration for a setting named something like
>'MAC address filter'.
Note that this will block the specified MAC from ANY access via your
router, both to the internet and to your WAN.
--
Mark McIntyre
"Axel Hammerschmidt" <hlexa@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1hnu5zi.aocaeg3jskj8N%hlexa@hotmail.com...
> Stuart Miller <stuart_miller@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
> [John Navas wrote: ]
>
> > > MAC address filtering is a pointless waste of time. Only encryption
> > > really matters, and only WPA with a strong passphrase is really
secure.
> >
> > Please help me here.
> > I don't have a great knowledge of how to break security systems.
> >
> > Why is filtering a waste of time? It took me less than 10 minutes to set
it
> > up here.
> > Why is it pointless?
> > Other than knowing which address to clone, how easy is it to break the
> > filtering algorithm in the router?
> > Brute force attack? 12 hex digits 2.8 * 10^^14 possibilities....
> > How can a total outsider find out which MAC addresses are inside?
>
> The MAC addresses are sent in the clear.
Yes, but using Mac Address filtering/blocking is better than doing nothing.
Especially if used with say WEP.
No it will not block a determined hacker, but it would prevent unauthorized
traffic from typical users
..
On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 20:10:48 GMT, "Stuart Miller"
<stuart_miller@shaw.ca> wrote:
>> MAC address filtering is a pointless waste of time. Only encryption
>> really matters, and only WPA with a strong passphrase is really secure.
>Please help me here.
>I don't have a great knowledge of how to break security systems.
>
>Why is filtering a waste of time? It took me less than 10 minutes to set it
>up here.
MAC addresses are sent unencrypted. Spoofing a MAC address is trivial
with any operating system. There are even programs that do it for
you. Were some evil hacker interested in breaking into your network,
spoofing a valid MAC address would only require a few minutes of
sniffing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC_add...ging_addresses
>Why is it pointless?
Because it's so easy to spoof a MAC addres.
Because it doesn't provide much added protection.
Because it slows down some cheap routers that have gutless CPU's.
Because it's a pain in the posterior having to tweak the router every
time a new machine needs to be added to the network. This is a
regular event at the end of the skool year, when the students come
home to visit from skool, bring their new laptop, and discover that
they can't connect to their parents wireless because some "security
expert" has MAC address filtering enabled.
>Other than knowing which address to clone, how easy is it to break the
>filtering algorithm in the router?
There are not mutually exclusive. It is necessary to know what MAC
address is allowed by the filters and to clone these. A few minutes
sniffing will usually do the trick.
>Brute force attack? 12 hex digits 2.8 * 10^^14 possibilities....
>How can a total outsider find out which MAC addresses are inside?
> Actually for what the OP wants to do, and as described by Stuart, MAC
> filtering/blocking will achieve what the OP wants to do. He wants to block
> non authorized users. If his system is small enough so the management will
> not be so time consuming, he can configure his router to allow only
certain
> MAC addresses in.
And if those workstations want to break it all they have to do is change
their MAC address to one of the ones that's allowed access. Granted, this
generally won't work if the legit computer is still turned on. But that's
why MAC filtering is a lame method for blocking access.
Most SOHO (small office, home office) routers don't have the facilities for
selective blocking. What you end up needing to do is block all addresses
from using the Internet and force all traffic through a proxy. Users would
have to possess a login for the proxy in order to gain internet access. But
this is often more than small network setups are prepared to setup and
maintain.
>
>>Other than knowing which address to clone, how easy is it to break the
>>filtering algorithm in the router?
>
> There are not mutually exclusive. It is necessary to know what MAC
> address is allowed by the filters and to clone these. A few minutes
> sniffing will usually do the trick.
>
>>Brute force attack? 12 hex digits 2.8 * 10^^14 possibilities....
>>How can a total outsider find out which MAC addresses are inside?
>
> Sniff with Kismet, Netstumbler, etc...
>
Thanks - I didn't realize they were broadcasted unencrypted.
Time to tighten up things here
> "Axel Hammerschmidt" <hlexa@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1hnu5zi.aocaeg3jskj8N%hlexa@hotmail.com...
>
> > Stuart Miller <stuart_miller@shaw.ca> wrote:
<snip>
> > > How can a total outsider find out which MAC addresses are inside?
> >
> > The MAC addresses are sent in the clear.
>
> Yes, but using Mac Address filtering/blocking is better than doing nothing.
> Especially if used with say WEP.
> No it will not block a determined hacker, but it would prevent unauthorized
> traffic from typical users
Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us> wrote:
<snip>
> Because it slows down some cheap routers that have gutless CPU's.
Filters can [...] improve network performance by eliminating
broadcast/multicast packets from the radio network. The User Guide, CNet
Teknologies, CNAP-711.
On Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:02:42 +0200, hlexa@hotmail.com (Axel
Hammerschmidt) wrote:
>Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us> wrote:
>
><snip>
>
>> Because it slows down some cheap routers that have gutless CPU's.
>
>Filters can [...] improve network performance by eliminating
>broadcast/multicast packets from the radio network. The User Guide, CNet
>Teknologies, CNAP-711.
Broadcasts *FROM* the radio network? Yeah, I guess an unconnected
client might be the recipient of a few broadcasts *FROM* the radio
network. If someone were doing multicast broadcasting, it would be
more than a few packets, but this is rather unusual. I guess blocking
packets to an unconnected client might reduce wasted packets somewhat.
My guess(tm) that the wasted airtime from an unconnected client is a
bigger potential performance hit. There's nothing the access point
can do to prevent the unconnected client from spewing broadcasts and
management frames while trying unceasingly but failing to connect. No
amount of MAC filtering is going to stop the client from trying.
Methinks you'll find that eliminating a few broadcasts doesn't have
anywhere near the performance hit as an overloaded CPU trying to deal
with a complex rule set. I know of one fairly old router model that
would slow down from about 2Mbits/sec TCP thruput to about half that
with all 10 MAC filter slots filled. I suspect they only allowed 10
MAC filter rules because it probably would stop dead in its tracks
with any more. Todays processors are probably much better at
filtering and should have much less of a performance hit.
On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 13:16:22 -0800, "Dana" <raff242@yahoo.com> wrote in
<12k29agt2b1po3c@corp.supernews.com>:
>Yes, but using Mac Address filtering/blocking is better than doing nothing.
Not really.
>Especially if used with say WEP.
It adds nothing of any real value to WEP, which itself isn't of much
value.
>No it will not block a determined hacker, but it would prevent unauthorized
>traffic from typical users
It's won't even stop a bored teenager.
--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
Bill Kearney wrote:
>>Actually for what the OP wants to do, and as described by Stuart, MAC
>>filtering/blocking will achieve what the OP wants to do. He wants to block
>>non authorized users. If his system is small enough so the management will
>>not be so time consuming, he can configure his router to allow only
>
> certain
>
>>MAC addresses in.
>
>
> And if those workstations want to break it all they have to do is change
> their MAC address to one of the ones that's allowed access. Granted, this
> generally won't work if the legit computer is still turned on. But that's
> why MAC filtering is a lame method for blocking access.
>
> Most SOHO (small office, home office) routers don't have the facilities for
> selective blocking. What you end up needing to do is block all addresses
> from using the Internet and force all traffic through a proxy. Users would
> have to possess a login for the proxy in order to gain internet access. But
> this is often more than small network setups are prepared to setup and
> maintain.
>
Most don't? My common Linksys WRT54G does, and my older equally common
Linksys BEFW11S4 also does support blocking by MAC and by IP.
.... I did go through the manual for my router, which is why I posted
here. My old router only supported IP filtering, but not MAC filtering.
Quite obviously, IP filtering is entirely useless... and comming up
with the name "MAC filtering" isn't naturally intuitive unless you've
been exposed to it before. Thus the request for someone who *had* been
exposed to it, to give me a suggestion of what to try... i.e. give me
the term. I figured out the rest, and it's not like I'm being rude
about it, so I don't see any reason for you to return such a sentiment.
I wasn't going to comment the first post you made, but seriously.....
Anyway, I got a new router, and MAC filtering works perfectly. It
doesn't need to be amazingly secure, it's just to combat an ignorant
roommate schenario. I'm pretty sure WPA encryption keeps most other
people out.
Thanks again!
Bob Willard wrote:
> Bill Kearney wrote:
> >>Actually for what the OP wants to do, and as described by Stuart, MAC
> >>filtering/blocking will achieve what the OP wants to do. He wants to block
> >>non authorized users. If his system is small enough so the management will
> >>not be so time consuming, he can configure his router to allow only
> >
> > certain
> >
> >>MAC addresses in.
> >
> >
> > And if those workstations want to break it all they have to do is change
> > their MAC address to one of the ones that's allowed access. Granted, this
> > generally won't work if the legit computer is still turned on. But that's
> > why MAC filtering is a lame method for blocking access.
> >
> > Most SOHO (small office, home office) routers don't have the facilities for
> > selective blocking. What you end up needing to do is block all addresses
> > from using the Internet and force all traffic through a proxy. Users would
> > have to possess a login for the proxy in order to gain internet access. But
> > this is often more than small network setups are prepared to setup and
> > maintain.
> >
>
> Most don't? My common Linksys WRT54G does, and my older equally common
> Linksys BEFW11S4 also does support blocking by MAC and by IP.
>
> Again I say to the OP: RTFM.
> --
> Cheers, Bob
.... I did go through the manual for my router, which is why I posted
here. My old router only supported IP filtering, but not MAC filtering.
Quite obviously, IP filtering is entirely useless... and comming up
with the name "MAC filtering" isn't naturally intuitive unless you've
been exposed to it before. Thus the request for someone who *had* been
exposed to it, to give me a suggestion of what to try... i.e. give me
the term. I figured out the rest, and it's not like I'm being rude
about it, or posting on a forum unrelated to wireless security, so I
don't see any reason for you to return such a sentiment. I wasn't going
to comment the first post you made, but seriously.....
Anyway, I got a new router, and MAC filtering works perfectly. It
doesn't need to be amazingly secure, it's just to combat an ignorant
roommate schenario. I'm pretty sure WPA encryption keeps most other
people out.
Thanks again!
Bob Willard wrote:
> Bill Kearney wrote:
> >>Actually for what the OP wants to do, and as described by Stuart, MAC
> >>filtering/blocking will achieve what the OP wants to do. He wants to block
> >>non authorized users. If his system is small enough so the management will
> >>not be so time consuming, he can configure his router to allow only
> >
> > certain
> >
> >>MAC addresses in.
> >
> >
> > And if those workstations want to break it all they have to do is change
> > their MAC address to one of the ones that's allowed access. Granted, this
> > generally won't work if the legit computer is still turned on. But that's
> > why MAC filtering is a lame method for blocking access.
> >
> > Most SOHO (small office, home office) routers don't have the facilities for
> > selective blocking. What you end up needing to do is block all addresses
> > from using the Internet and force all traffic through a proxy. Users would
> > have to possess a login for the proxy in order to gain internet access. But
> > this is often more than small network setups are prepared to setup and
> > maintain.
> >
>
> Most don't? My common Linksys WRT54G does, and my older equally common
> Linksys BEFW11S4 also does support blocking by MAC and by IP.
>
> Again I say to the OP: RTFM.
> --
> Cheers, Bob
.... I did go through the manual for my router, which is why I posted
here. My old router only supported IP filtering, but not MAC filtering.
Quite obviously, IP filtering is entirely useless... and comming up
with the name "MAC filtering" isn't naturally intuitive unless you've
been exposed to it before. Thus the request for someone who *had* been
exposed to it, to give me a suggestion of what to try... i.e. give me
the term. I figured out the rest, and it's not like I'm being rude
about it, so I don't see any reason for you to return such a sentiment.
I wasn't going to comment the first post you made, but seriously.....
Anyway, I got a new router, and MAC filtering works perfectly. It
doesn't need to be amazingly secure, it's just to combat an ignorant
roommate schenario. I'm pretty sure WPA encryption keeps most other
people out.
Thanks again!
Bob Willard wrote:
> Bill Kearney wrote:
> >>Actually for what the OP wants to do, and as described by Stuart, MAC
> >>filtering/blocking will achieve what the OP wants to do. He wants to block
> >>non authorized users. If his system is small enough so the management will
> >>not be so time consuming, he can configure his router to allow only
> >
> > certain
> >
> >>MAC addresses in.
> >
> >
> > And if those workstations want to break it all they have to do is change
> > their MAC address to one of the ones that's allowed access. Granted, this
> > generally won't work if the legit computer is still turned on. But that's
> > why MAC filtering is a lame method for blocking access.
> >
> > Most SOHO (small office, home office) routers don't have the facilities for
> > selective blocking. What you end up needing to do is block all addresses
> > from using the Internet and force all traffic through a proxy. Users would
> > have to possess a login for the proxy in order to gain internet access. But
> > this is often more than small network setups are prepared to setup and
> > maintain.
> >
>
> Most don't? My common Linksys WRT54G does, and my older equally common
> Linksys BEFW11S4 also does support blocking by MAC and by IP.
>
> Again I say to the OP: RTFM.
> --
> Cheers, Bob
On 14 Nov 2006 10:25:12 -0800, LazerW@gmail.com wrote in
<1163528712.770963.286010@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups .com>:
>i wonder if bored teenagers are really that good.
>
>i mean, i am sure some of them are but i imagine most ppl probabaly
>dont know how to do stuff like that.
They don't need to -- automated tools are readily available on the
Internet.
--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
>i wonder if bored teenagers are really that good.
Well, how would you like your wireless access point converted into a
non-TCP/IP game hub to connect a bunch of 13 year olds in the
neighborhood? I couldn't even see their traffic because none of it
went to the internet. That's exactly what they managed to do a few
years ago with my access point. As John Navas mentioned, it's not
their abilities, but their access to scripted tools.
>i mean, i am sure some of them are but i imagine most ppl probabaly
>dont know how to do stuff like that.
Well, perhaps another example. My office is near the end of a dead
end road near the San Lorenzo River. The local deadbeats, vagabonds,
winos, bums, homeless, etc tend to illegally park their campers near
the turnaround. Despite the trappings of poverty, many of these urban
campers have laptops with wireless (probably stolen). They find my
office access point and proceed to use it for their personal VoIP
phone system. Initially, I had the access point setup for public
access (no encryption) but that became a problem as too many of them
were using it for massive downloads. So, I turned on WEP64 encryption
(because I had a bunch of Orinoco Silver cards that would only do
WEP64). About a week later, they had the encryption key and were back
in business. It was interesting watching them break in. So, here we
have a class of individuals, with obvious mental and emotional
problems, with supposidly no resources, cracking WEP keys.
I switched to WPA and ended the problem.
Incidentally, you might want to get the shift key on your keyboard
repaired.
Blocking a computer from a wireless router. 
Linear Mode
