Personally I don't since the walls of my house are so thick you can't pick up a wireless signal outside of it so there's no chance of anyone stealing my connection.

I have to sort out my friends network after it being setup and secured by a local computer shop a few years ago but they were never told the wireless key so haven't been able to connect any new computers to it. I haven't checked yet but I wouldn't be surprised if the router password has been changed meaning that said company has to come out to sort it out. Tempted to just reset the router and for now leave it unprotected and get everything setup and working first (laptops, printers, PS3, etc). Like my house the wireless signal can't be picked up outside of it so in theory they should be fine.

Tempted to just reset the router and for now leave it unprotected.

Lets hope you don't do a lot of online banking!

I presume you don't use a virus checker either as they're overated as well. :no:

Personally I have mine on DEFCON1, but then if I were to look up the word "paranoid" in the dictionary I'm sure I'd read:-

"and why do YOU want to know?"

:adjusts tin foil hat:

Checks router settings

No SSID broadcast

Network name altered to something that nobody would guess, ie includes random non alphanumerics.

Password ditto

MAC filtering

Pre shared security key again no one would guess as above.

Blimey, someone who does not use wireless security. in todays society I would always have it switched on (WPA2, AES), you may think your wireless is not visible outside your house but believe me it is. My house has very thick walls (built in the 1800's) and I can pickup my wireless signal no problem, and my DECT cordless phone works perfectly quiet some distance from the house (massive garden). Windows and doors all help the signal to leave the property. Any freely available packet sniffer can pickup the unencrypted signal and decode the packets, even from a weak signal you cannot see on your laptop/desktop/phone.

Never leave a wireless network open, you'll be opening your friend up to all kinds of hassle.

Would you leave your car unlocked and the keys in the ignition just because it's in a garage with one of those piddly little padlocks on it?

Just because you can't pick up a signal outside, doesn't mean somebody else can't.

Just because you can't pick up a signal outside, doesn't mean somebody else can't.

indeed, with the tools I have on my works laptop I can pickup networks that windows etc. cannot even see. The joys of working in IT fault diagnosis gives me access to the really expensive paid for tools.

Fair enough. The security would only be down temporarily, an hour or so and I was just wondering who actually uses it. I'm not broadcasting my SSID anyway and will be setting that up on my friends network as it is currently broadcasting it. WPA2 it is then. Looking at my router (WRT54G) I've got WPA2 Personal and WPA2 Enterprise. What's the difference?

JJust because you don't broadcast an SSID doesn't mean your network is invisible or incapable of being found out.

It's really only a basic defense these days. I have an app on my phone that can see all the non broadcasting networks and their channel, and I believe there are mobile apps which can yell you the router make and SSID as well.

JJust because you don't broadcast an SSID doesn't mean your network is invisible or incapable of being found out.

It's really only a basic defense these days. I have an app on my phone that can see all the non broadcasting networks and their channel, and I believe there are mobile apps which can yell you the router make and SSID as well.

+1

Even WEP cracking can take literally 5 minutes these days with just a laptop and the right software.

Even WEP cracking can take literally 5 minutes these days with just a laptop and the right software.

Yeah I saw that in Uni. Going to sort out my security today. WPA2 but Personal rather than Enterprise since I still don't know the difference. While I'm at it any other precautions I should take? Just as long as nothing slows down and the network is still useable.

Ok but what if someone going round looking for free access picks up your wifi. I could pick up wifi through 3' of sandstone in one place I worked.

I've a wireless scanner on my Tesco Android phone to look for free access.

Alternatively all you need is someone using a Pringle tube antenna to use your connection to download something illegal and plod will be knocking on your door.

I would strongly recommend you get your encryption up and running and using WPA2 not WEP. As said cracking WEP is pretty trivial.

In Germany it's actually illegal not to secure your personal wireless.

the walls of my house are so thick you can't pick up a wireless signal outside of it

How thick are the windows? Can you receive a mobile phone signal inside your house? Unless you are sitting inside a Faraday Cage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage) then various wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation can get into and out of your house.

Actually mobile phone signal is pretty shocking in my house and I either have to go outside or be in certain rooms

I've a wireless scanner on my Tesco Android phone to look for free access.

What app is that?

What app is that?

Wifi analyser

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer

Wifi analyser

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer

+1 A cracking app to help diagnose signal/channel issues as well.

As has been said, if your network is open and someone downloads something illegal, it wont be a valid defence that it was someone else. Its a common ploy (leaving network open) with many committing computer based sex crimes & illegal file sharing, or they actively seeking open networks out to avoid detection.

Personally I agree with the German stance on securing networks.

All secure now with WPA2. Much easier to do than my old Belkin router which would fall over every 5 mins if it had security enabled. That app is pretty cool too.