Just a little warning

TheImportanceOfBeingIdle

If you use any sort of wireless modem with your PC or laptop then be very careful and make sure you have it set up correctly AND use the WPA.

I watched a program on the BBC the other night about a couple of blokes and a woman who sat in the back of a van with a laptop and drove round streets trying to access people's networks. They did this by using software available on the internet. They hacked into the computer and managed to obtain a blokes name, address, credit card details etc etc.

I'm not trying to scare you. Just warning you to make sure your network is as secure as can be

EDIT: The program was called The Real Hustle.
Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/tv/real_hustle/scams.shtml for more info

albertross_2

You also have to have a long random password to make wpa secure:

https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

Your partners name just won't hack:D it!

The programme did over simplify the process though, made it look easier than it is to crack wep. One minute they were pretending to hack the wireless on a Windows PC in the van, then cut to an Apple screen, which wasn't even in the van.. A lot of their filming uses artistic licence in the edit's.

TheImportanceOfBeingIdle

They did but I did try it on my brothers network and am afraid to say, it is rather easy. Something which has put me off getting a wireless network.

albertross_2

Do you mean hacking WEP, or getting into an insecure wireless network with no encryption?

Never come across any WEP cracking software that I would call "easy", but ones with no encryption (which is the default) are easy peasy.

TheImportanceOfBeingIdle

The network was secure. Or as secure as can be according to the recommendations made by AOL.

albertross_2

Which software made it easy then?

TheImportanceOfBeingIdle

albertross wrote:

Which software made it easy then?

You want me to give you names to hacking software? I'm stupid to an extent.

albertross_2

I would never hack anyones network apart from my own, I'm the other side of the fence, more interested in securing them, so am naturally intrigued.

TheImportanceOfBeingIdle

In which case I would regularly change your passwords and keep your security software up to date. Change the SSID. Disable Identifier Broadcasting. Don't just rely on the router's firewall, get a good software one and everything should be hunky dory.

If you are intrigued then search. It's not hard to find but I'm not prepared to give out the name.

albertross_2

Ok, that's fine.. I understand..;)

spurs1234

It is easy but it takes time and the person has to be using there machine at the time of cracking , you have to get in the area of 60,000 packats of data before there wep key even starts to form.

As for TheImportanceOfBeingIdle comments i think he's lying!

There are not many programs that are windows based that work at all, most are linux and you have to use a certain type of wireless card to crack it and i doubt very much TheImportanceOfBeingIdle know's which toye that is.:D