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I think one of my neghbors is on my wireless network

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why is WEP not an option?
also turn your SSID off so they cant physically see the network
 
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release a virus on your network, hope he has a PC and screw him for life!

else..

name your wireless network "virus" or something to that effect... people think twice before clicking accept on those networks. I had this same problem at my last apartment, I would have 3-4 other people stealing from me... renamed it to virus, and no one would join it... it was nice.
 
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Graphite said:
release a virus on your network, hope he has a PC and screw him for life!

else..

name your wireless network "virus" or something to that effect... people think twice before clicking accept on those networks. I had this same problem at my last apartment, I would have 3-4 other people stealing from me... renamed it to virus, and no one would join it... it was nice.

Hmmm...some reverse psychology - "Please, I beg you, come onto my network1" ;)
 
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In all honesty using MAC address filtering, WEP security, and hiding the SSID broadcasting is useless if someone who knows what they're doing really wants to get on your network.

The only real security right now is using at least WPA or more preferably WPA2 security on your accesspoint.
 
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totally ignorant question, but why is it such a bad thing again?
my brother does the same thing with his neighbour's network so he says.
 
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It's bad for several reasons:
- It's 99% likely breaking your TOS with your internet provider which means they could end your service.
- You open yourself up to viruses, trojans, and many other network security issues.
- It some places it's illegal to uses a private network even if it is unsecured.
 
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schweb said:
It's bad for several reasons:
- It's 99% likely breaking your TOS with your internet provider which means they could end your service.
- You open yourself up to viruses, trojans, and many other network security issues.
- It some places it's illegal to uses a private network even if it is unsecured.

there was a thread a while back about some guy who got caught surfing porn on someone elses network. he was being federally prosecuted for illegaly accessing someone's network (hacking).
 
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fearlessfreap24 said:
there was a thread a while back about some guy who got caught surfing porn on someone elses network. he was being federally prosecuted for illegaly accessing someone's network (hacking).

That guy was being really weird about it. It wasn't just a neighbor that happened to pick up on an open WiFi network, he was parking his car out in front of the house, then when they saw him he would drive off but kept coming back.
 
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The really bad thing is...if somebody runs a P2P server and shares lots of copyrighted files from your network, the record industry cartels could come to your door with a lawsuit.

It's unlikely, but it could happen.
 
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btw, mac address filtering is almost useless as far as security goes. It may seem like a mac address never changes, but thats not completely true. You can spoof mac addresses, so all someone would need to get on to your mac addressed filltered network is a packet sniffer (many have mac address spoofing built in). It is usefull for authentication, especially if you know that your neighbor isn't smart enough to get aroundthat, but anyone with a little bit of knowledge will be able to get on fairly easily.
 
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A while ago a few colleagues drove to work with a WiFi sniffer running and GPS on their laptops. It logged all the "open" networks on their commute to work. I was amazed to see how many there were.

Mind you they could have been running MAC addr. filtering, but now using WEP or WPA
 
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Some broadband ISP's are temporarily suspending a customer's service if they are found to have an unsecure wireless network until they can effectively secure it. It solves a bevy of network security issues including proactively educating consumers on the importance of security. Schweb is right though. If someone really wants on they'll find a way. The average user probably isn't aware of those techniques and will either find a legitamate connection or glom on to someone else until all options are depleted.
 
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gbv5501 said:
Some broadband ISP's are temporarily suspending a customer's service if they are found to have an unsecure wireless network until they can effectively secure it. It solves a bevy of network security issues including proactively educating consumers on the importance of security. Schweb is right though. If someone really wants on they'll find a way. The average user probably isn't aware of those techniques and will either find a legitamate connection or glom on to someone else until all options are depleted.

So is WPA even that effective?
 
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It's the most effective wireless security out now. The amount of packets you would need to pick up to be able to crack WEP is a huge amount and would take a very long time to do so. WPA makes that effort even more labor and time intensive. It can be done but the question is is it worth it. Is it just free access or data that they desire? Most people probably jump onto unsecure networks more for the free access or a faster connection than for data retreival or more malicious reasons. By activating WEP or WPA you are protecting yourself to the best of your ability from everyone but the most determined. Like my father always said "locks are for honest people."
 

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