Linksys WVC11B manual Appendix B Wireless Security, Brief Overview, What Are The Risks?

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Wireless-B Internet Video Camera

Appendix B: Wireless Security

A Brief Overview

Whenever data—in the form of files, emails, or messages—is transmitted over your wireless network, it is open to attacks. Wireless networking is inherently risky because it broadcasts information on radio waves. Just like signals from your cellular or cordless phone can be intercepted, signals from your wireless network can also be compromised. What are the risks inherent in wireless networking? Read on.

What Are The Risks?

Computer network hacking is nothing new. With the advent of wireless networking, hackers use methods both old and new to do everything from stealing your bandwidth to stealing your data. There are many ways this is done, some simple, some complex. As a wireless user, you should be aware of the many ways they do this.

Every time a wireless transmission is broadcast, signals are sent out from your wireless PC or access point, but not always directly to its destination. The receiving PC or access point can hear the signal because it is within that radius. Just as with a cordless phone, cellular phone, or any kind of radio device, anyone else within that radius, who has their device set to the same channel or bandwidth can also receive those transmission.

Wireless networks are easy to find. Hackers know that, in order to join a wireless network, your wireless PC will typically first listen for “beacon messages”. These are identifying packets transmitted from the wireless network to announce its presence to wireless nodes looking to connect. These beacon frames are decrypted and contain much of the network’s information, such as the network’s SSID (Service Set Identifier) and the IP address of the network PC or access point. The SSID is analogous to the network's name. With this information broadcast to anyone within range, hackers are often provided with just the information they need to access that network.

One result of this, seen in many large cities and business districts, is called “Warchalking”. This is the term used for hackers looking to access free bandwidth and free Internet access through your wireless network. The marks they chalk into the city streets are well documented in the Internet and communicate exactly where available wireless bandwidth is located for the taking.

Even keeping your network settings, such as the SSID and the channel, secret won’t prevent a hacker from listening for those beacon messages and stealing that information. This is why most experts in wireless networking strongly recommend the use of WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy). WEP encryption scrambles your wireless signals so they can only be recognized within your wireless network.

Appendix B: Wireless Security

Figure B-1: Warchalking

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A Brief Overview

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Contents Wireless- B Copyright and Trademarks How to Use this GuideTable of Contents Appendix B Wireless Security Appendix a TroubleshootingView Video Setup Help Common Problems and Solutions Frequently Asked QuestionsCamera LEDs List of FiguresFind Camera from LAN 17 Create Links Introduction What’s in this Guide? Wireless-B Internet Video Camera Network Layout Planning Your Wireless NetworkAd-Hoc and Infrastructure Modes Planning Your Wireless Network Network Layout LAN Getting to Know the Wireless-B Internet Video CameraReset Connection to a Wired Network for Setup Connecting the Wireless-B Internet Video Camera for SetupConnection to a Wireless Ad-Hoc Network for Setup OverviewMoving the Camera to a Different Network Setup Wizard Setting up and Mounting the Wireless-B Internet Video CameraCameras Found Dhcp or Static IP Address Mode Settings 10 Security Settings 12 Review New Settings Wall Mount Option Placement OptionsStand Option Install Viewer & Recorder Utility Installing the Viewer & Recorder UtilityChoose Destination Location Cameras Using the Viewer & Recorder UtilityLAN FindInternet Change Settings12 Delete Camera Delete13 View Video ViewFiles Scheduled Recordings in ProgressSchedule PreferencesStop Add21 Stop Scheduled Recording Setup Wizard for the SoloLink Ddns Service Setting up the Linksys SoloLink Ddns ServiceSoloLink for Dynamic IP Address Check Connections User Name and Password Login Confirm Active Internet Connection 11 Sign Up 12 Confirmation of New Settings 14 Confirm Your Location ID 17 Create Links 19 Account Confirmation of Camera 21 Port Forwarding Information SoloLink Registration of Additional Cameras24 SoloLink Ddns View Video How to Access the Web-based UtilitySecurity Warning SetupBasic Device SettingsLAN Settings WEP Key Settings Wireless SettingsVideo Settings Resolution Quality Level Bit RateImage Estimated Bit Rates for Video Viewing or RecordingAdjustments PasswordAdministrator OptionsUser Database User AccessUsers SoloLink Ddns SoloLink DdnsSoloLink Registration of Additional Cameras StatusWireless-B Internet Video Camera Log StatusUPnP AdvancedHelp 18 Administrator Help19 Upgrade Firmware Common Problems and Solutions Appendix a TroubleshootingWhen I view the video, it seems blurry Can I view video using a Macintosh or Netscape Navigator? Frequently Asked QuestionsHow many users can view the Camera’s video at the same time? What Are The Risks? Appendix B Wireless SecurityBrief Overview Jamming Attacks Passive AttacksActive Attacks Maximizing Wireless SecurityDictionary-Building or Table Attacks Man-in-the-Middle AttacksWireless-B Internet Video Camera Ssid Wireless-B Internet Video Camera WEP Encryption Figure B-2 WEP Key SettingsAppendix C Upgrading Firmware Figure C-1 Upgrade FirmwareNetwork Neighborhood/My Network Places Appendix D Windows HelpShared Resources Appendix E Glossary Wireless-B Internet Video Camera Wireless-B Internet Video Camera Wireless-B Internet Video Camera Wireless-B Internet Video Camera Wireless-B Internet Video Camera Standards Ieee 8011.b, Ieee 802.3, 802.3u Ports Appendix F SpecificationsUser Authentication, WEP Encryption Limited Warranty Appendix G Warranty InformationFCC Statement Appendix H Regulatory InformationSoftware License Agreement Wireless-B Internet Video Camera Industry Canada Canada Wireless-B Internet Video Camera Information section in this Guide Appendix I Contact InformationNeed to contact Linksys?
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