Wireless Security 101

[HuddaDudda]

I currently have 4 computers up and running on a business wireless network. At the moment we have SSID Broadcast turned off and mac filtering for all computers. Each computer is also running Trend Micro PC Chillin Internet Security. With that being said is MAC filtering enough or should I also have the WPA turned on? It my understanding that MAC filtering is fine because its unique to that computer connecting and you have to give it permission to connect. Should I be more concerned? I would like a medium to high level security on the network.

 

[EmoHawk]

The more security you turn on the more secure your networks gonna become obviously 😉 but mac filtering should be sufficient for most networks.

 

[Genx87]

I have only glazed over wireless security. But mac filtering will keep your avg joe out who just wants to hop on a free connection. They can still sniff the traffic and spoof a mac addy.

WPA from my understanding encrypts the key which makes it tougher to sniff but not impossible. WEP afaik sends the key in plain text which really doesnt offer that much protection.

If you want protection I would say go with mac+wpa.

 

[JackMDS]

Disabling SSID does nothing from a security point of view and might impede the Wireless smooth working.

MAC filter is a good mean to get rid of casual Intruders that log to your wireless (a lot of times they are not even aware of it).

However MAC filtering will do nothing against a deliberate Hacker since it is Not Encrypted a transmitted freely while you are using your Wireless.

Link to: Wireless Security for small Networks.

Link to: WEP, WPA, and WPA2 (802.11i).

:sun: