Road Warrior At Risk: The Dangers Of Ad-Hoc Wireless Networking

Airport Menace: The Wireless Peeping Tom
As a network security consultant, I travel quite frequently. At times, it seems like the airport is my second home. I actually like to fly, it's a moment in time where no one can reach me by e-mail, or mobile phone.

It never fails that something interesting happens to me at the airport. I've even met some famous people during my travels. A few months ago, I ran into Frank Bielec, from the TLC show, Trading Spaces. But one of my favorite things to do at the airport is browse the wireless Ethernet waves. I'm never really surprised at what I find. I'm just glad I know more about wireless Ethernet than the average road warrior.

The Dangers Of Ad-Hoc Wireless Networking
Most people who have wireless Ethernet at home, or the office, connect to the wireless network by attaching to a wireless Access Point, or AP. This method of wireless networking is called "Infrastructure Mode". If you have a secure wireless network configured in "Infrastructure Mode" you are using MAC address filtering, some level of encryption, and have made some additional changes to your AP in order to prevent just anyone from using it or capturing data. For more information on configuring your "Infrastructure Mode" wireless network take a look at the "Wireless Network Security" page at Defending The Net.

Links
http://www.defendingthenet.com/WirelessNetworkSecurity.htm

However, for those who are not using "Infrastructure Mode", and are configured to communicate from machine to machine, or "Ad-Hoc", there are a few things you should be aware of.

A wireless Ad-Hoc network allows you to communicate with other wireless Ethernet systems without using a wireless access point. It's kind of a peer to peer configuration and it works rather well. The problem is, most people just set it up, and forget about it. At home, it's not a huge problem, but when your on the road, it could cause you a great deal of grief. The airport is probably the best place to find Ad-Hoc networks. Business men and women, delayed once again, power up their laptops and get to work completing the days tasks, or planning tomorrows agendas.

I can't tell you how many systems I find in the airport configured this way. Not just in the terminal, but on the plane. About three months ago, just after we reached cruising altitude and were allowed to use our "approved electronic devices", I found that the gentleman two seats up from me had a laptop configured as Ad-Hoc. He walked by me about ten minutes later and commented on how much he liked my laptop. I thanked him, and asked if his laptop was on, and configured to use wireless Ethernet, he said yes.

To make a long story short, I showed him that I could see his laptops wireless Ethernet and informed him of the danger. He asked me if I could access his hard drive, and I told him that it might be possible. He asked me to see if I could, so I obliged. After configuring my laptop to use the same IP address class as his, and typing "net use * hiscomputersIPAddressc$ "" /USER:administrator", I received a notice that the connection was successful and drive Z: was now mapped to his computer. I performed a directory listing of his hard drive and the guy almost had a heart attack!

After this, he moved up to the seat next to mine and we spent the next hour or so configuring his laptop securely, starting with securing his computers local administrator account. At one point during the configuration, he made the statement that I got real lucky because his local admin account did not have a password. My response to him was, I get lucky quite often.

Who Else Has Your Client List
Just think of the possibilities. What do you have to lose if someone is able to just peruse the files and data on your laptop? Do you maintain your customer list on your laptop (Do you want this in the hands of a competitor)? How about your personal finances (Identity theft ring a bell)? So many people I talk to initially say, "I really don't have anything of great importance on this system". Then they think a little bit and start rattling of things they never really thought about before. All of a sudden, they get concerned.

The fact is, whether it be "Infrastructure Mode", or "Ad-Hoc" wireless Ethernet communications, if not properly configured and secured, can pose a significant risk. There are thousands of articles on the Internet about the dangers of improperly configured wireless networks, yet the number of unsecured networks seems to be getting greater, not less.

Strength And Posture Does Reduce Your Risks
Keep in mind that your objective should be to reduce the chances that you will become a target for computer compromise. When I was growing up in South Philadelphia, I remember my father telling me that when you walk down the street, especially in the evening, to walk tall, and project a position of strength and authority. Why, because thugs typically pick out those who look like an easy target. The same thing goes for computer security. Reduce the risks of becoming a target buy configuring your system with a strong security policy.

When I perform security assessments, I create a list of potential targets, and potential methods of compromise. I then prioritize that list by which system, with a particular vulnerability, may be easiest to compromise. Those at the bottom of the list typically never come on my radar screen; the best scenario it to keep of the radar altogether.

Conclusion
If your are using wireless Ethernet, no matter what configuration, follow a few rules and keep yourself secure against most common types of compromise.

1. Above all, make sure all your user accounts have strong passwords, especially those that have administrative control over your system;

2. Configure your wireless network to use some sort of encryption. I know there is a lot of concern about the "crackability" of WEP, but if this is all you have to work with, and then use it. It is still helpful;

3. If possible, use MAC addresses filtering to restrict unwanted systems from attaching to your wireless network;

4. Make sure the firmware for your AP's and wireless Ethernet cards are up to date. These updates can be found on your card or AP's support site.

Remember, if you are compromised over your wireless network it can be near impossible to track down where the attack came from. Worse yet, think about how many systems become compromised, and no one ever knows it?

About The Author
Darren Miller is an Information Security Consultant with over sixteen years experience. He has written many technology & security articles, some of which have been published in nationally circulated magazines & periodicals. Darren is a staff writer for http://www.defendingthenet.com and several other e-zines. If you would like to contact Darren you can e-mail him at Darren.Miller@ParaLogic.Net or DefendTheNet@ParaLogic.Net.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Data Security; Are Your Company Assets Really Secure?

Is your data secure? Think again. Securing data is unlike... Read More

3 Pervasive Phishing Scams

Scams involving email continue to plague consumers across America, indeed... Read More

Is My PC Vulnerable on the Internet?

No longer are viruses the only threat on the internet.... Read More

Hacking the Body Via PDA Wireless Device

First I would like to stress I am condoning the... Read More

Preventing Online Identity Theft

Identity theft is one of the most common criminal acts... Read More

Network Security 101

As more people are logging onto the Internet everyday, Network... Read More

The Risk Of Electronic Fraud & Identity Theft

Electronic Fraud and Identity Theft Human beings are pretty... Read More

Its War I Tell You!

There are ways to insure security though. You can get... Read More

Top Five Spyware Fighting Tips

Spyware and adware are becoming major problems for online surfers... Read More

Is Shopping Online For Your Horse Gifts Safe?

Shopping for horse gifts or other gift items on the... Read More

Can I Guess Your Password?

We all know that it's dangerous to use the same... Read More

Securing Your Accounts With Well-Crafted Passwords

In the past I've never really paid much attention to... Read More

How to Get Rid of New Sobig.F Virus?

As you know, this time the virus under the name... Read More

Password Security and Safety

There is nothing more important that password security in world... Read More

New Mass Mailing Spamming Internet Trojan for the Windows Platform

May. 16th 2005 - MicroWorld has reported the discovery of... Read More

Phishing: An Interesting Twist On A Common Scam

After Two Security Assessments I Must Be Secure, Right? ... Read More

Mall Protection

The Loss Prevention Manager should be receptive to the needs... Read More

Are You Surfing Safe?

Ok, you've got a computer, and you get online. You... Read More

If You Steal It, They May Come!

Business on the internet is getting down right shameless. This... Read More

Desktop Security Software Risks - Part 1

This is the second in a series of articles highlighting... Read More

Computer Viruses - How to Remove a Computer Virus from Your Computer

Computer viruses infect millions of computers every day. Viruses can... Read More

Is Your Email Private? Part 1 of 3

In a word, no - an email message has always... Read More

How to Prevent Online Identity Theft

Identity theft rates one of the fastest growing crimes in... Read More

Parental Control - Dangers To Your Child Online & Internet Child Safety Tips

Did you know...? 1 in 5 children who use computer... Read More

Sarbanes-Oxley: A Cross-Industry Email Compliance Challenge

Is your enterprise following the rules?The bulk of financial information... Read More

Protecting Your Identity On The Internet

Afraid that someone is monitoring your PC or installed a... Read More

Virus and Adware - Fix them Both!

We all get the odd virus now and then, but... Read More

Delete Cookies: New-Age Diet or Common Sense Internet Security?

No, this article isn't about some new, lose-20-pounds-in-a-week, certified-by-some-tan-Southern-California-doctor diet.... Read More

Beware of Imitations! Security, Internet Scams, and the African Real Estate Agenda

Fishing on the Internet has come a long way. However,... Read More

How To Avoid Hackers From Destroying Your Site?

Recently, my site and other internet accounts ( http://www.nabaza.com/sites.htm )... Read More

Secrets On Security: A Gentle Introduction To Cryptography

Let us take the example of scrambling an egg. First,... Read More

Spyware Removal

Spyware SolutionProbably Today's Biggest Computer Problem. You Suffer Without Knowing... Read More

How Did This Happen to Me? Top 10 Ways to Get Spyware or Viruses on Your Computer

If you use the internet, you have probably been infected... Read More