Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic
1 | 2 
Ragnor
8196 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #440150 16-Feb-2011 10:38
Send private message

A gateway with Captive Portal is pretty much the only way to deal with people trying to spoof the mac address (although this is not a 100% solution to someone really determined), typically used by hotel's and cafe's so you might have seen it before.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captive_portal

I think in the end it's just going to be easier and less maintenance and worry for you to keep things separate.

Your PC > Wireless > Router/Modem > Internet (WPA2 AES change password every now and then)

Your PC > LAN > Switch > rest of hall 

 
 
 
 

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).
webwat
2036 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #440679 17-Feb-2011 12:57
Send private message

phant0m: I know virtually zilch about networking apart from the odd bit I've picked up from wrestling with LAN networks over the years.

Security wise beyond setting up a "longass" password & putting up MAC & IP filtering; none of my friends were really that savvy with code/hacking (apart from PaulYell) and even then he only hacked a PC once and it took him the whole LAN Sealed


The consensus seems to be that a wireless network will draw CS students like bears to honey. That was the main worry for me. I'm not paranoid about attacks from the internet; more about attacks from within..eeeek

If I used something like ESET (what I use) would they be able to hack into my PC? I'm not to sure how clever they will be as they are first year students... Surely there must something to keep them out of the network altogether? I thought that the Drayteks firewall would be enough. It sounds like  I would need a separate hardware firewall or something Undecided?


TBH I'm more confused now than when I first posted Tongue out I guess I will just have to cower behind my wired network.....

A wired network is not something to cower behind (your modem's firewall does that for you) and removes the chance of forgetting to setup security again if you ever need to reset the router.

Wireless could be secure enough for a basic netowrk if you setup with hidden SSID, a good password on WPA2, as well as MAC filtering. Not even the wired network is 100% intrusion proof unless you have invented the "perfect" firewall, but the above combination of wireless security settings will make you a tougher target than most of your neighbours.




Time to find a new industry!


rattewisday
203 posts

Master Geek


  #440682 17-Feb-2011 13:02
Send private message

There seems to be a lot of misinformation in this thread.  A WPA2-AES encrypted wireless connection with a strong, long password is SECURE.  You are more at risk of someone physically breaking into your room than of someone breaking into your wireless network, if it is secured in the way described above.  A brute force attack even with military grade supercomputers for a max length (63 chars) password is not feasible and there are no known weaknesses that will reduce the compute time for an attack on WPA2-AES.  There is no need for hiding SSID's, MAC address filtering - these are POINTLESS and can be broken in a matter of minutes.



phant0m

21 posts

Geek


  #440690 17-Feb-2011 13:13
Send private message

well I'm mostly worried about threats from withinSurprised as in computer science students Yell I'm either going to buy a Draytek 2710ne which seems to be pretty good all round or the cheaper option - NETCOMM NB6PLUS4Wn

rattewisday
203 posts

Master Geek


  #440692 17-Feb-2011 13:16
Send private message

From within meaning physical access? Or just close-by CS students on their laptops? If people have physical access there is really nothing you can do to stop a motivated CS student..

phant0m

21 posts

Geek


  #440695 17-Feb-2011 13:17
Send private message

I just mean CS students who can see my wifi (not with physical access to the computer/network)

kyhwana2
2563 posts

Uber Geek


  #440698 17-Feb-2011 13:26
Send private message

phant0m: I just mean CS students who can see my wifi (not with physical access to the computer/network)


As long as you use WPA2 + a really good passphrase, it doesn't matter if they can see it or not.




rattewisday
203 posts

Master Geek


  #440706 17-Feb-2011 13:44
Send private message

kyhwana2:
phant0m: I just mean CS students who can see my wifi (not with physical access to the computer/network)


As long as you use WPA2 + a really good passphrase, it doesn't matter if they can see it or not.




kyhwana2 is correct.  There is literally NOTHING they can do aside from breaking into your room.  Doesn't matter if they have a brother who works for the CIA - there is still no way they can break into it.

phant0m

21 posts

Geek


  #440712 17-Feb-2011 13:57
Send private message

alright sweet as, that makes me feel a lot better about the whole situation. thanks a lot everyone Wink

1 | 2 
View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic





News and reviews »

Māori Artists Launch Design Collection with Cricut ahead of Matariki Day
Posted 15-Jun-2025 11:19


LG Launches Upgraded webOS Hub With Advanced AI
Posted 15-Jun-2025 11:13


One NZ Satellite IoT goes live for customers
Posted 15-Jun-2025 11:10


Bolt Launches in New Zealand
Posted 11-Jun-2025 00:00


Suunto Run Review
Posted 10-Jun-2025 10:44


Freeview Satellite TV Brings HD Viewing to More New Zealanders
Posted 5-Jun-2025 11:50


HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14-inch Review
Posted 3-Jun-2025 14:40


Flip Phones Are Back as HMD Reimagines an Iconic Style
Posted 30-May-2025 17:06


Hundreds of School Students Receive Laptops Through Spark Partnership With Quadrent's Green Lease
Posted 30-May-2025 16:57


AI Report Reveals Trust Is Key to Unlocking Its Potential in Aotearoa
Posted 30-May-2025 16:55


Galaxy Tab S10 FE Series Brings Intelligent Experiences to the Forefront with Premium, Versatile Design
Posted 30-May-2025 16:14


New OPPO Watch X2 Launches in New Zealand
Posted 29-May-2025 16:08


Synology Premiers a New Lineup of Advanced Data Management Solutions
Posted 29-May-2025 16:04


Dyson Launches Its Slimmest Vaccum Cleaner PencilVac
Posted 29-May-2025 15:50


OPPO Reno13 Pro 5G Review 
Posted 29-May-2025 15:33









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.







Backblaze unlimited backup