Is my WiFi Connection Secure?

[Esquilaxer]

My WAP (not router, Wirless Access Point) is wirelessly connected to my laptop with a netgear card.

Sadly, with WEP enabled (both 64 and 128 bit mode), my wireless adapter doesn't connect (with the PW typed) to the WAP.

So I resorted to the client exception option for security measures. It requires the MAC address to be on the accepted list for the users to use the connection. Is this the same protection/security with WEP?

Is my mac address somewhat unique, so no strangers can access my WiFi network?

[Lesley]

In theory someone could probably try millions of combinations and guess your mac address but it's part of the network card, not simple software so not only would they have to find the correct address of out millions but they'd also have to know how to clone that address onto the network card they were using. Highly unlikely would be my answer.

Having said that you want to make sure the systems on your network are password protected and that you've change the default administrator password on your router. That's a big problem, a lot of folks don't rtfm and leave themselves wide open.

If you want to use WEP you could look for a firmware upgrade for your WAP or contact the manufacturer, it could be a known issue.

[Digiital]

If WAP or security is turned off, it doesn't take millions of combo's. Give me 1 second and I'll have your MAC, and another 5 seconds to change my MAC to yours and I'm in.

Without any encryption, then anyone knowing anything about wireless, they can "see" your traffic. IE: Emails, passwords, what websites your going to and so on.

The best is to have security turned on. Plus do the following 4 steps I tell people when they get wireless.( I know your having problems with #2)

1. Change your routers password
2. Turn on WEP/WAP
3. Turn off SSID
4. Turn on Mac Filtering.

With WEP/WAP turned off Mac filtering is useless.

[Esquilaxer]

Thanks guys! I upgraded my WAP's firmware (yay! I got browser-based configurations). Everything is good. I put 40 bit encryption, changed password to enter the WAP's configuartion broswer and have mac filtering.

I think I'm secure enough, even though I'm not using 128bit WEP :P

Id like to see an avergae person try to gain/look into my Wifi network. Im gonna ask my freinds if they can connect, if they're willing to bring their laptop there.

[Digiital]

Thats much better. But again, someone knowing what they are doing it doesn't take very long to even get into 128bit.

A few weeks ago I posted this video on my blog(link below)

http://www.hackingdefined.com/movies/whax-aircrack-wep.html

[Esquilaxer]

Wow, that music and the word "Konsole" is just weird for me. Well, I don't think many ppl have the knowledge how to use that aircrack stuff, so I'll consider it safe for now. :P