Wireless security: Risks? >>SpeedStream 2624<<

[BillGates]

I have a SpeedStream 2624 wireless router and a Microsoft USB NIC on a Dell with WinXP SP1. The connection always seemed to die approximately every 10 hours at random and required a reboot of the PC to resolve every time. Note that this only happened with 128 bit WEP enabled. (Distance is *maybe* 20 feet and nearly clear line of sight)

I started to really get angry that my girlfriend kept whining to me that her Internet kept dying all the time and killed the WEP altogether. Internet connectivity now seems reliable and stays up for days on end without any problems.

I have heard (mostly at AT) that going without wireless security is crazy. What are the risks?? The router has the ability to limit who uses the wireless so I basically have it all locked down to the single PC that uses it and have to approve any other connections manually.

I would assume the risk of packet sniffing is there, but is that really a big deal? My girlfriend reads here stupid email, talks on MSN Messenger, and browses very very little. In my opinion, nothing important is passed over her connection.

Would somebody somehow be able to spoof the wireless router into thinking that they are the PC and have Internet Access? Are there any other risks I should be concerned about?

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Tangent -- The wireless connectivity dies on the PC when uploading/transferring large files (~800MB) from the wireless PC to the wired one (connected direct to the router.) The only way to restore connectivity is to reboot the PC. I am assuming the NIC is at fault but it could also be the router I guess. Any other SpeedStream wireless router owners experiencing this same issue?

 

[Soybomb]

128 bit wep is still crackable, and mac filtering is easily bypassed so you have some security but still nothing stellar. As long as what you're doing that might be sensitive is encrypted already (ssl,ssh,etc) and you don't mind the thought that someone could be snooping, then go ahead and just make it work because it doesn't sound like a big concern for your situation. Leave mac filtering on, disable wep, and be sure to try the new firmware for your model and drivers for the card and see if it gets better. ymmv

 

[Madpup]

Sounds like you need a new girlfriend

 

[BillGates]

Thanks for the info soybomb. I did the firmware flash the day it was released hoping it'd fix the WEP connectivity issue but it didn't.

I'm starting to suspect the MS wireless NIC but don't really want to go out and buy a different brand just to be sure....that's lots of work, heh. MS hasn't released any updated drivers for the device yet, so I guess she can just live with rebooting once a day or else have a stupid Cat 5 cable going across our carpet.