Mac AirPort ad-hoc security???

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C4LV1N0

53 posts

Master Geek

#30011 26-Jan-2009 21:01

I have a MacBook running Leopard. I'm broadcasting an ad-hoc network and sharing my internet connection with my iPhone (since we don't have a wireless router).
I'm just wondering if there are any more things I can do to protect my network, other than a WEP password. If I can somehow hide my SSID, that would be great.

Thanks.

iainw

75 posts

Master Geek

#192226 27-Jan-2009 10:32

The first thing to note, is that as a general rule, ad-hoc networks are much less secure than AP based networks.

Hiding your SSID does not add any security whatsoever. WEP is not much better. WEP has been cracked, as has WPA. For a secure network, you should be using WPA2.

Hiding your SSID just stops the casual browser from connecting to your network, but even WEP would stop that. Your SSID is freely available in the broadcast requests from other clients anyway. Disabling broadcast SSID stops the host computer broadcasting the SSID, but your i-Phone is still pumping it out there unencrypted, so it doesn't really give you any security, just makes you think you are secure.

C4LV1N0

53 posts

Master Geek

#192232 27-Jan-2009 11:07

Okay. Thanks.
Then how do I set a WPA2 password for an ad-hoc network?

iainw

75 posts

Master Geek

#192235 27-Jan-2009 11:35

You set a WPA2 password in the same way you set a WEP password. Older devices however do not support it. If you can't use WPA2, then WPA is next best, WEP is only suggested if that is your only option.

Unfortunatly (or fortunately depending on your viewpoint), I know nothing about the Mac OS, and can't tell you specifically where to look for these settings.

C4LV1N0

53 posts

Master Geek

#192238 27-Jan-2009 11:49

I can't seem to find the option; all it says is 40-bit WEP and 128-bit WEP.

iainw

75 posts

Master Geek

#192239 27-Jan-2009 11:54

In that case, your OS must be fairly old. Their SHOULD have been an update to fix this, as WPA is a software enhancement of WEP. WPA2 however required hardware changes.

If WEP is all you can use, then use WEP 128-bit, and just be aware that it will take roughly 2.5 minutes to break it.

C4LV1N0

53 posts

Master Geek

#192251 27-Jan-2009 12:53

I have the latest edition of Mac. i think it weird how they don't have high security.