Free Wireless Utility

vdub1.8t · 02-14-2007, 05:35 PM

Hi guys! I am looking for a free wireless utility to use with a Linksys USB network adapter. The Wireless Zero utility in Windows XP will only connect to my wireless network if I broadcast the SSID (for whatever reason). And the Linksys utility keeps saying no ad-hoc network found (whatever that means) after it is finished scanning. Any ideas on a nice free wireless management utility? Thanks!

johnwill · 02-14-2007, 05:49 PM

Why not broadcast the SSID? Hiding the SSID is an anemic security measure, it really just makes it harder for you to use your own network.

The only real wireless security is WPA/WPA2 with a long and random key.

vdub1.8t · 02-14-2007, 06:08 PM

Hi John! I am mac filtering and hiding the SSID on my wireless network. I found that WEP and WPA encrypting noticeably slowed down my network no matter what bit number.

johnwill · 02-14-2007, 06:15 PM

Neither of those measures offers real security, why bother?

I guess it's time for my monthly post. This guy says it better than I could. The six dumbest ways to secure a wireless LAN

vdub1.8t · 02-14-2007, 06:31 PM

I understand where you are coming from but don't you think that if someone was computer savvy enough to sniff packets and spoof a mac addresses they would also be able to crack wep/wpa?

vdub1.8t · 02-15-2007, 09:35 AM

Anyone else?

crazijoe · 02-15-2007, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdub1.8t

The Wireless Zero utility in Windows XP will only connect to my wireless network if I broadcast the SSID (for whatever reason).

Windows should connect if you manually set the information in the wireless tab of the connection properties.

vdub1.8t · 02-15-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazijoe

Windows should connect if you manually set the information in the wireless tab of the connection properties.

I know it should but it doesn't... If I add my wireless network to Preferred neworks under the Wirelss Networks tab it will not connect until I go to the router and broacast the SSID. I have tried this many times and every time I broadcast the SSID it connects and when I stop broacasting it disconnects.

johnwill · 02-15-2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdub1.8t

I understand where you are coming from but don't you think that if someone was computer savvy enough to sniff packets and spoof a mac addresses they would also be able to crack wep/wpa?

No, at least in the case of WPA/WPA2. There is no known crack if you have a long and random key. OTOH, it's child's play to get around SSID hiding and MAC filtering. Did you even read the link I posted?

Quote:

There is no such thing as "SSID hiding". You’re only hiding SSID beaconing on the Access Point. There are 4 other mechanisms that also broadcast the SSID over the 2.4 or 5 GHz spectrum. The 4 mechanisms are; probe requests, probe responses, association requests, and re-association requests. Essentially, youre talking about hiding 1 of 5 SSID broadcast mechanisms. Nothing is hidden and all youve achieved is cause problems for Wi-Fi roaming when a client jumps from AP to AP. Hidden SSIDs also makes wireless LANs less user friendly.

vdub1.8t · 02-16-2007, 06:36 AM

Ok well I guess I will change the security on the router, thanks!

02-14-2007, 05:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
vdub1.8t Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 86 OS: WinXP Pro/Home	Free Wireless Utility Hi guys! I am looking for a free wireless utility to use with a Linksys USB network adapter. The Wireless Zero utility in Windows XP will only connect to my wireless network if I broadcast the SSID (for whatever reason). And the Linksys utility keeps saying no ad-hoc network found (whatever that means) after it is finished scanning. Any ideas on a nice free wireless management utility? Thanks!

02-14-2007, 05:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,581 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Why not broadcast the SSID? Hiding the SSID is an anemic security measure, it really just makes it harder for you to use your own network. The only real wireless security is WPA/WPA2 with a long and random key. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-14-2007, 06:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,581 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Neither of those measures offers real security, why bother? I guess it's time for my monthly post. This guy says it better than I could. The six dumbest ways to secure a wireless LAN __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-14-2007, 06:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
vdub1.8t Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 86 OS: WinXP Pro/Home	Hi John! I am mac filtering and hiding the SSID on my wireless network. I found that WEP and WPA encrypting noticeably slowed down my network no matter what bit number.

02-14-2007, 06:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
vdub1.8t Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 86 OS: WinXP Pro/Home	I understand where you are coming from but don't you think that if someone was computer savvy enough to sniff packets and spoof a mac addresses they would also be able to crack wep/wpa?

02-15-2007, 09:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
vdub1.8t Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 86 OS: WinXP Pro/Home	Anyone else?

02-16-2007, 06:36 AM	#10 (permalink)
vdub1.8t Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 86 OS: WinXP Pro/Home	Ok well I guess I will change the security on the router, thanks!