[Macpilot]

Is there a utility for OS X that will monitor and watch for people trying to steal my Airport broadcast?

I just saw a story about a Linux app called Airsnort that sniffs out wireless networks (only B at this time....) and breaks the encryption keys.

I operate my Extreme base station in G mode, with 128 bit encryption and Access control to only my Powerbook. I would think that this would keep everyone I don't want off my network, as their aiport card would have to have my Airport ID.

Thanks!

[Musti]

Originally posted by Macpilot:

I operate my Extreme base station in G mode, with 128 bit encryption and Access control to only my Powerbook. I would think that this would keep everyone I don't want off my network, as their aiport card would have to have my Airport ID.

Thanks!

Your security settings are as good as you could configure for your purposes, though still breakable (not by your average hacker-type neighbour)

[sniffer]

Don't know about Airport base station, but with my D-Link DI614 something, I can see who is connected with MAC addresses and their IP.

[Macpilot]

Originally posted by sniffer:
Don't know about Airport base station, but with my D-Link DI614 something, I can see who is connected with MAC addresses and their IP.

So are you using some software that came with that base station?

Or an OS X utility to do this?

Thanks!

[Xeo]

Originally posted by Macpilot:
So are you using some software that came with that base station?

Or an OS X utility to do this?

Thanks!

Most other wireless routers have web-based interfaces. That's how my Linksys is and I'm sure that's how his D-Link is. But if someone is trying to crack your encryption, they probably wouldn't show up in that list anyway. That list is only for people who have authorized access and has an IP issued by your router. I suppose if anyone else would be listed it would mean they already broke it and are using your bandwidth. However, I don't know how to get that list using an Airport Base Station.

[Arkham_c]

Originally posted by Macpilot:
Is there a utility for OS X that will monitor and watch for people trying to steal my Airport broadcast?

I just saw a story about a Linux app called Airsnort that sniffs out wireless networks (only B at this time....) and breaks the encryption keys.

I operate my Extreme base station in G mode, with 128 bit encryption and Access control to only my Powerbook. I would think that this would keep everyone I don't want off my network, as their aiport card would have to have my Airport ID.

Thanks!

There is a good article on how WEP is cracked here:

http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/wire...ap1/index.html

Basically, there is no way to completely secure a wireless network. If you want to monitor who is using your AirPort, even if you cannot stop them, look here:

http://edge.mcs.drexel.edu/GICL/people/sevy/airport/

There are some nice third party AirPort configuration tools that provide the info you're looking for.

[Macpilot]

Wow....that is some interesting stuff.

Thanks dude!

[Eriamjh]

If you are worried about cracking and someone stealing your bandwidth, then change your network password occasionally or when you think you are being sapped.

I think all that hacking would be for naught (nought? nawt? gnaught? whatever...) if you change your password. Wouldn't it have to start over?

Side topic? Are there any "automatic" rolling password utiliies that change your WEP password and update the keychain so you don't have to enter the new password? (Are you programmers listening?)

Obviously, one would have to be able to look up the password if you wanted to make a change yourself. Perhaps it could be encrypted in a file protected by a password?

[grumpy]

Originally posted by Xeo:
But if someone is trying to crack your encryption, they probably wouldn't show up in that list anyway. That list is only for people who have authorized access and has an IP issued by your router.

My D-Link wireless router will show anyone connected to my wireless network, even if they cannot obtain an IP address. If anyone knows how to kick these people off the network - please let me know (I am in a high traffic area).

For security, I use MAC filtering to prevent my router from giving out IP addresses to hardware other than what I specify. I also manually rotate four keys for my WEP encryption - fairly routine with the router web interface. The suggestion for software that automatically rotates the keys is great.

[hardcat1970]

for the past week, I thought my airport card or my abs was broken because my signal was going on and off intermittently. I took them to apple store and i found nothing wrong with them.

Then i discovered i had been connecting to my neighbor's wireless router. It was apparent that there were conflict between my abs and his router. The guy apparently did not set up his secure network.

but it just shows you apple's product is very easy to use, i don't have to set up anything and i can connect to his wireless router easily.

[ucsbdude]

How do you just see who is on your airport... i remember on the old airport software you could just see all the macs connected and their signal strength but it is not there any more. Are there any programs that just show who is connected?

Thanks,

Chris

[iT4c0]

macStumbler from versiontrackers

[Angus_D]

I'm sure I read somewhere that Panther has WPA support, so hopefully this will be a non-issue soon. Or you could set up a VPN.

[milhous]

Anyone know if disabling SSID broadcast increases one's security? I know non-Airport base stations have them, but I guess Apple relies on them for easy discovery.

[Arkham_c]

Originally posted by milhous:
Anyone know if disabling SSID broadcast increases one's security? I know non-Airport base stations have them, but I guess Apple relies on them for easy discovery.

Nope. Read the article I linked above.

[THE MAC GOD]

My GF is getting an iBook here soon and we are concerned about people sapping our net... so this has been really good info... thanks!