wireless privacy

If you connect to an open network is there anyway that they could know
who you are besides from your Mac address? Is there anyway to change
hide the address/hide your identity?

gosser12@gmail.com wrote:
> If you connect to an open network is there anyway that they could know
> who you are besides from your Mac address?

Depends on who "they" are. The ISP you connect to will be able to log
your MAC, IP and connection route. Anyone who is on the same network as
you could run nmap, determine your OS and possibly determine if you have
any holes in your firewall. If you have public passwordless shares on
your PC, someone could connect and browse the shares, potentially
finding pictures, letters, etc etc.

But all of this can be done irrespective of whether you're connecting
via (open) wireless or a network cable. If you're using an unencrypted
wireless channel then in addition to all that someone sitting nearby
could sniff all your traffic and with some skill and the right tools,
they could capture passwords, account names etc etc.

> Is there anyway to change hide the address/hide your identity?

This is practically a FAQ. Use wireless encryption, only connect to
SSL-protected websites and if you're super-bothered set up a VPN.

On Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:11:02 -0800 (PST), gosser12@gmail.com wrote:

>If you connect to an open network is there anyway that they could know
>who you are besides from your Mac address? Is there anyway to change
>hide the address/hide your identity?

Yep, but I'm not telling. Search Google for "anonymous web surfing".
You should get quite a few links for systems designed to hide your
probably illegal activities. They usually have good explanations of
how they work, what's needed, stupid things you can do to get caught,
and a general overview of what's involved. Mostly proxies and VPN's.

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
# http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS

On Feb 26, 2:08*pm, Mark McIntyre <markmcint...@TROUSERSspamcop.net>
wrote:
> gosse...@gmail.com wrote:
> > If you connect to an open network is there anyway that they could know
> > who you are besides from your Mac address?
>
> Depends on who "they" are. The ISP you connect to will be able to log
> your MAC, IP and connection route. Anyone who is on the same network as
> you could run nmap, determine your OS and possibly determine if you have
> any holes in your firewall. If you have public passwordless shares on
> your PC, someone could connect and browse the shares, potentially
> finding pictures, letters, etc etc.
>
> But all of this can be done irrespective of whether you're connecting
> via (open) wireless or a network cable. If you're using an unencrypted
> wireless channel then in addition to all that someone sitting nearby
> could sniff all your traffic and with some skill and the right tools,
> they could capture passwords, account names etc etc.
>
> > Is there anyway to change *hide the address/hide your identity?
>
> This is practically a FAQ. Use wireless encryption, only connect to
> SSL-protected websites and if you're super-bothered set up a VPN.

I was mainly thinking in terms of personally identifiable info sent by
the computer itself. ie don't care about hiding websites visited or
using passwords but for example if someone used bittorrent to download
the latest shania twain album over an open network. Would BMG be able
to find the person? I can't think of a way besides Mac addresses but
is there any other?

but for example if someone used bittorrent to download
the latest shania twain album over an open network. Would BMG be able
to find the person? I can't think of a way besides Mac addresses but
is there any other?

ahhh - the real question -
well... has nothing to do with WiFi,
but really applies to any connection method; WiFi, Cable, DSL, Dial

SO - you connect - download some iffy content,
and want to know if it is traceable ?

It would be harder to trace via any open/public connection,
like at the library, hotspot, etc -
As they could catch the IP but then map it to what ????

With your "subscribed" ISP, or work, or school - there of course would be a
logged IP trail,
that could be used to map back to your specific account & connection.