Archive for the ‘Wireless’ Category

WPA/TKIP Encryption not so Secure

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

Computer scientists in Japan have found a way to break into a WPA/TKIP wireless system in less than 1 minute. The group has published a paper on the subject so it is just a matter of time before the bad guys get a hold of the technology. Fortunately, WPA/AES, a stronger encryption, and WPA2 have not been compromised so consider switching to one of those.

A brief history on Wi-Fi encryption

At first, 1997,  there was Wired Equivalent Privacy or WEP for short. This was cracked in a few years after it came out and is now regarded as useless.

WPA with TKIP “was developed as kind of an interim encryption method as Wi-Fi security was evolving several years ago,” said Kelly Davis-Felner, marketing director with the Wi-Fi Alliance, the industry group that certifies Wi-Fi devices. People should now use WPA 2.

Wi-Fi-certified products have had to support WPA 2 since March 2006. “There’s certainly a decent amount of WPA with TKIP out in the installed base today, but a better alternative has been out for a long time,” Davis-Felner said.

Most routers with TKIP also have AES so the switch should be easy.

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Nice Security Monitor from AOL

Sunday, July 2nd, 2006

AOL has released a security monitor that rates a computer’s security defense. It chooses a number between 1 and 100 to rate your system. It analyzes your firewall, antivirus program, antispyware program, wireless security and several other indicators then rates it. Recommendations are provided on how to fix problems.
You can get it for free here.

Doug

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The ABGs of Wireless Standards

Thursday, March 9th, 2006
Knowing what wireless standards are available and their limitations is important when figuring out the best setup. The main differences are in speed, range, and compatibility. Some manufacturers of wireless equipment have higher speed than the standards speeds but you must buy all your equipment from them as it is proprietary.
802.11 is the name of the IEEE group that originally oversaw the development of wireless standards.

Current Wireless Standards (2006)

802.11b

This is the oldest (July 1999) and currently the most widely used wireless standard. Its maximum speed is 11 mbps while the lowest speed is 1 mbps. The equipment implementing 802.11b starts at 11 mpbs to communicate. If it has problems it tries 5.5 mbps. Then 2. Then 1.
A typical cable or DSL connection is 4 mbps. Therefore, one is (ideally) limited by cable/DSL connection; not wireless. The maximum range is 150 feet indoors and 300 feet outdoors but realistically expect about half that indoors because of obstructions such as walls.

802.11a

This standard was also created in 1999. It has speeds up to 54 mpbs but is not compatible with 802.11b or 802.11g. Maximum range is half of 802.11b (75 feet). It has a harder time penetrating walls and other structures.

802.11g

Available around 2003. Faster than 80211.b. Its maximum speed is 54 mpbs. It is compatible with 802.11b which means if your connection supports 802.11g, any 802.11b can connect to it but will only get the maximum speed of 802.11b. Maximum range is the same as 802.11b. 802.11g (and 802.11b) is susceptible to interference from microwaves and some cordless phones (not cellphones).

Bluetooth

Not generally used for wireless networks. Range is about 35 feet with speeds up to 1 mbps. Used on many wireless printers. It has same interference problems as 802.11b.

The best bet these days is 802.11g.

Future Wireless Standards

802.11n – Expect products mid-2007 though some manufacturers may upgrade earlier. The standard is still being developed but is expected to be ratified in early 2007. The current goal is ten times the 802.11g speed and a broader range. 802.11n is based on MIMO technology so you may see 802.11n referred to as MIMO.

Doug

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