Wireless network security

[gear02]

So I have a wireless network and I was wondering if anyone knew of any programs that could detect all users using the network. I'm afraid of someone leeching my bandwidth.

[hapoo]

i'm sure there are programs out there, but first thing i suggest you do is restrict all wireless activity to the MAC address of your own wireless equipment through your router/WAP

[coleslaw]

One thing that you can do is take a look around outside around your building. If you see anything like this...




...the wardrivers have you!



More info on warchalks from the BBC.


I need to build myself a Pringles-can antenna and see how easy it is to find free bandwidth.

[Startide]

There ARE people who deliberately welcome you to leech their unused bandwidth (which would be otherwise unused). In many places, some of these people even network their wireless devices between neighborhoods so that people can share a common wireless network for free.

An example of this in the Seattle area is at SeattleWireless.Net

Another example is the Portland Wireless Community Project at http://www.nodedb.com/unitedstates/or/portland/. The Portland group already has over 200 free access nodes.

The record connection for a 1M connection using Orinoco 30mW is 70km using 24dB antennas at each end. There are newer 802.11b devices that are much better at reception as well as having 180mW and 200mW of power. The SeattleWireless.Net site has comparisons of many different clients (as well as listings of their wattages) and another comparison of their reception ability.

[gear02]

I did restrict access but I wanted to make sure....

That warchalking thing is pretty damn cool!