Unencrypted wi-fi links

[Lakesailor]

A further question on WIFI.
I have a BT Home Hub, (someone has to) although I just use the router for my Broadband access, and not WIFI, but hard wired to the hub.

However a guest saked the other day if he could use my WIFI which his laptop had discovered. I declined and told him I didn't know the password.

I have other good reasons for not wanting to share my domestic Broadband.

Does what is being said on here mean that someone could log onto my WIFI connection and share my data without me knowing? Should I be worried?

 

[stevebrassett]

Can't you log onto your router, and turn the wifi bit off?

 

[Lakesailor]

I don't know. I installed it from the BT CD and it's a mystery to me. I wouldn't know where to look.

 

[shmoo]

[ QUOTE ]

I declined and told him I didn't know the password.


[/ QUOTE ]

You may not but I am afraid I do (assuming you took all the install defaults). I just looked it up on the Internet .

I think you should try to turn it off if you don't need it. Even "secure" wifi is not very secure. Fine if you don't have any reason to secure your transactions...

 

[gandy]

[ QUOTE ]
Does what is being said on here mean that someone could log onto my WIFI connection and share my data without me knowing? Should I be worried?

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes to the first question. You should be able to turn the wireless off if it worries you.

 

[gandy]

I'd agree with that, Shmoo. It makes it more difficult, but maybe not impossible. I was just pointing out that breaking a static WEP key doesn't bear much resemblance to what you'd need to do to break into a sensibly set up WLAN.

 

[Lakesailor]

Ah, no I did change the password, and have written it down somewhere, honest.

 

[Pete7]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know. I installed it from the BT CD and it's a mystery to me. I wouldn't know where to look.

[/ QUOTE ] Worth having a look at the CD documentation. The router is accessed via something that looks like a web page, for example mine is viewed via the URL:

http://www.routerlogin.net

Should be simple enough to turn off the wireless access if your not using it.

Pete

 

[shmoo]

[ QUOTE ]

Ah, no I did change the password


[/ QUOTE ]

Phew!

 

[kcrane]

Aren't there two aspects to judging the level of risk?

There is the "if someone with the right skills and equipment to hack your data and the intent and knowledge required to use it tried to hack your network, how hard would it be?" and the second "what are the chances of someone with the right skills and equipment actually trying to hack your data and then actually using their knowledge to use the data they hacked".

What do you think the chances are, when you combine both aspects of the risk, in relation to the average man in the street?

Re-reading my question it sounds like I am grinding an axe, but I'm not, I'm just interested in how people assess and perceive risk. It seems to me that the chances of both are extremely low, and the benefits of say, internet banking quite high, so it is worth whatever steps are relatively easy to take to avoid the risk, but not worth doing without or taking drastic action or worrying unduly.

 

[Spyro]

To access Homehub settings. Type into your browser address bar http://bthomehub.home
then click on "advanced" then "continue to advanced" you will be asked for a user Id and password, it should be admin and admin. click on "wireless" then "configure security repeater" remove the tick from "interface enabled" this will remove wifi access.

 

[Lakesailor]

Thanks. I've copied into a notepad to try when I'm less tired and emotional.

 

[Lakesailor]

Success! I followed your instructions and the "wireless" light has gone out on the Home Hub.

 

[lenseman]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks. I've copied into a notepad to try when I'm less tired and emotional.

[/ QUOTE ]

Bl**dy Hell - That didn't take you long to get less tired and emotional /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

All of 2 minutes MUST be a record !! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[fireball]

That's cos LakeSailor is really a woman .... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Barr Avel]

It is all very true, but before wi-fi paranoia sets in too deep, just remember that the easiest way of all of stealing confidential data is to go through your bins. Yes people use shredders more and more, but they are still not the norm... And some shredders aren't worth the bother!
And then of course there are high-definition cameras in shops that could easily records your credit card details etc etc...

 

[Lakesailor]

I simply overestimated my parlous state and underestimated my ability to follow straightforward instructions.

 

[shmoo]

I agree with the voices of reason here, such as Captain, morgana, mlw197 and others, and I do not want to stir up paranoia. To some extent I am playing devil's advocate.

Not everyone is able to assess the risks accurately, and some of those who are do not seem to appreciate the dynamic nature of the threat. There are worryingly complacent approaches along the lines of "I have done such and such so I will be ok".

Of course its all a balance between convenience and risk. As a community we should be better about striking such compromises than most since we do it all the time sailing - but we need to be informed.

 

[fireball]

[ QUOTE ]
I simply overestimated my parlous state and underestimated my ability to follow straightforward instructions.

[/ QUOTE ]
ie your an emotional blond woman!!

Nice find on the Manspeak translator though ......

what does it translate "I'm washing my hair tonight" too ?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Lakesailor]

OK. I'm a ditzy blonde with huge norks. You've found me out. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif