how to get rid of wifi mooches

[weirdlookinguy]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

Where do you buy your wireless cards? I have always considered them dirt cheap, I picked up a few Atheros-based 802.11a/b/g cards at Frys for $14 each several years ago. I still have two in service.

[kikkoman]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

since when are wifi cards not cheap? usb dongles start from 10$ at Newegg. if you look around, i'm sure you can find better deals.

[jsog]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

A few old 802.11b cards can be upgraded in firmware to handle WPA, like the Intel 2100. Still 802.11b speed, but it's encrypted.

There's always wired. It's faster and you don't have to worry about the neighbors plugging in a cable.

[sofTest]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

If you don't mind a little waiting, DealExtreme got WiFi-cards/-dongles for less than US$ 10 incl. shipping.

[ratdude747]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

so what do you suggest? yeah. she might not be a noob... but wifi cards aint cheap anmd i really don't want to use WEP.

[lmcancu]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

Assuming that "prettygirl' is a noob, what Ratdude has done is the simplest way to prevent her from using his AP. Her client won't see the AP since its not advertised, and since he changed the SSID she can no longer connect to it.This assumes, of course, that she is a noob. If she weren't a noob then she would easily find the AP again but we are making that big assumption here ... As for legitimate users, all he has to do is tell them the new SSID.

[jsog]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

It's hidden. Although some would say that hiding an SSID is just putting a sign on it that says "please ignore me", and since the SSID is broadcast in other ways, it's not very effective and makes things more difficult for legitimate users.

Call me skeptical, but I'd also guess that "prettygirl" is neither.

[smason]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

i changed the ssid slightly and turned off broadcast. bye-bye mooch!

How's that going to help? She'll just connect to the new ssid.

[ratdude747]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

well then i should be good... the mooches won't see my network.

[kikkoman]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

as for hackers, that could be true. if someone just wants free wifi though, he/she'll probably go the easiest route.

[ratdude747]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

it was an mshome workgroup... still, wep sounds like fail... here is my logic:

say there are two houses. one has no deadbolt (you can kick in the door) and the other has a fancy lock and deadbolt setup that you know is a defective model that can be hacked in 30sec.

a robber will often hit the second house. why? the second house likely has nicer goods since the owner decided it was worth a lock; something was worth securing.

in this case, a security-less network (hidden) will outdo wep. hackers will hit the wep networks first since the owner felt inclined to try to secure it and therefore there is likely some files worth exploiting (financial stuff, passwords, etc.). the one without likely has nothing.

[severach]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

Linux can bust through WEP in a couple of minutes. Windows is still a no show. If prettygirl doesn't run Linux then WEP is more secure than Fort Knox. If she does run Linux then you'd better get to know her.

[ratdude747]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

i changed the ssid slightly and turned off broadcast. bye-bye mooch!

[smason]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

Unless youre using a linux box or similar as AP i dont think so. The normal way most routers work is you put in the allowed mac adresses. Can be a bit of a hastle when you have friends over that wants to use your network.

Yeah my network is doubly bad. Whenever a friend or relative comes by with a new device, I have to add the MAC to the wireless access point, and add the MAC to my DHCP server (seperate box) . That keeps my network pretty secure, and Arpwatch and Snort tell me if anything new shows up.

[digge]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

is there a way to specifically ban MAC addresses?

Unless youre using a linux box or similar as AP i dont think so. The normal way most routers work is you put in the allowed mac adresses. Can be a bit of a hastle when you have friends over that wants to use your network.

[ratdude747]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

is there a way to specifically ban MAC addresses?

[jsog]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

From 2005, but still relevant: The six dumbest ways to secure a wireless LAN

[kikkoman]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

capture some packets from that client and have a look what's inside.
it shouldn't take you too long to find out who they are.

[kc8adu]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

secure it,shut off ssid,and set up a junk pc with fakeap with your original ssid.drive em nuts trying to connect.
they might even think their stuff is broken.

[smason]

Re: how to get rid of wifi mooches

WEP is "reasonable" security. Yes it can be hacked, but realistically, what are the chances of any of your neighbors being tech-savy enough to do it.

For your purposes, do MAC address filtering and WEP, and you're "good enough" just monitor it and if you notice a problem, then change.