Yeah I'm sure this is a stupid question, but I am new to wireless stuff.

I just got a new laptop and I'm using it in a hotel. They told me they had a CAT 5 cable in the room for the net, but lo and behold, when I turned on my laptop, it detected a wireless network. I played on it for a bit (actually a poker tourney) when all of a sudden it booted me off, and subsequently said there were no networks in range (which is strange because the signal strength was excellent before). My question is then, is there any danger in logging onto an unsecured wireless network? Can your passwords get hacked, or anything like that?

Thanks for the help.

1/10/2006 12:24:11 AM

yes, there is danger in signing onto an unsecure wireless network...but let me mention a few things:

first of all, the vast majority of wireless networks use wep if encrypted...wep is a joke and any "hacker" with half a brain and an ounce of ambition can get around it

second, wireless is only less secure than a standard wired network because almost anyone has access to it...does that mean that someone is sitting in the same hotel intercepting packets? i seriously doubt it

third, the wireless network you found is PROBABLY a wireless router with them so they could have wifi in their room...they may very well turn it off or unplug it when they're finished with it...you didn't mention what the SSID was, so it really could be anything

1/10/2006 12:46:05 AM

The FBI detected you thieving internet (probably looking at child porn you sick bastard), and cut you off. They have your MAC ID on hand, and next time you connect to the net, they'll track you down and nail you. You're screwed. Running to Sicily is your only chance.

1/10/2006 12:57:15 AM

Hehe thanks.

Buying my Sicily ticket now.

1/10/2006 1:03:01 AM

I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure anything important you connect securely. When you are buying something online just about any credible website will be using SSL and you will be fine. If you connect to you email unencrypted then there is a chance someone will be listening on the end segment with you, but someone could be sniffing packets upstream as well. Certain other applications won't allow secure connections, which is why (I'm sure you have heard this) don't use FTP, TELNET, etc.

Connecting to an open access point vs a WEP encrypted one wouldn't seem to matter is you listen to ^^ because it is so easy to break. Either way, even on the WEP network anyone also on it will see your packets the same as the open one.

Like ^^ said, the chance of someone sniffing packets outside on an environment like NCSU drops drastically. Once you get out of the high density, bored kid, and desire to be malicious crowd your risk drops dramatically.

Practice reasonable safe habits no matter where you go and you should be alright. Just because it is some random unsecured network doesn't make it safer than NCSU or anywhere else.

1/10/2006 6:34:12 AM