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[anon_private]

Hi,

I have some questions.

I have Thomson Router 585v7. I can change the WPA on the router, but how do I change it on the PC's.

What is the 'Wireless PIN'. How is it used (note not the same as password = WPA Key).

How can I monitor network traffic.

Can I password protect my pc to stop others on the Network from accessing my files.

I am not expecting attacks, but can any such attacks be monitored.

I note that the router operates in certain bands. What are the bands, not their numbers but their nature.

What information is transmitted by the router to the outside world. Can it be limited.

Thanks

A

[anon_private]

Hello,

Can anyone answer my questions above?

Thanks

[roseway]

Sorry for not responding, but it's difficult to answer without more information: what operating system are you using and what type of wireless interface?

[Azzaka]

Starting from the top:

Q1) I have Thomson Router 585v7. I can change the WPA on the router, but how do I change it on the PC's.
A: you dont. You connect to the modems wireless connectiion which asks you for the WPA-PSK Key and you provide it.

Q2) What is the 'Wireless PIN'. How is it used (note not the same as password = WPA Key).
A: the PIN is only used for WDS/WPS wihich allows gateways and other devices connect withouth the use of a passphrase. In short Automatic Authentication. More information can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/cy9tvw

Q3) How can I monitor network traffic.
A: there are many methods and there is a lot of software. For your needs, search youre query in google, bing, or yahoo.

Q4) Can I password protect my pc to stop others on the Network from accessing my files.
A) Yes you can. Check the windows help file for more information about this.

Q5) I am not expecting attacks, but can any such attacks be monitored.
A: Please see question 3

Q6) I note that the router operates in certain bands. What are the bands, not their numbers but their nature.
A: simply put. They are specific frequencies for the data to be transmitted

Q7) What information is transmitted by the router to the outside world. Can it be limited.
A: The information transmitted as you would expect is the encrypted data (if encryption is used to scure the connection) including the passkey to decrypt it. In what way do you mean limited.

Hope this helps.

~Eric jumped in just before me. The above is assuming you are using Windows, version XP or above.

[anon_private]

Thanks for responding.

I am using Vista 32, bit.
Using WPA encryption
Thomson router
Edimax PCI wireless card

When I asked about information that was transferred to the world, I meant is there any information transferred that could have security implications, and therefore should be blocked.

I was surprised when you said that a decryption key is sent. Can you supply a little more detail.

Best wishes

A

[Azzaka]

...
I was surprised when you said that a decryption key is sent. Can you supply a little more detail.
...

By the decryption key, i simply mean, the encryption key. This is used by both the modem and the wireless device to talk to each other.

[anon_private]

Do you mean the router at my end and the wireless/wired device at the other end?

Quote

Q1) I have Thomson Router 585v7. I can change the WPA on the router, but how do I change it on the PC's.
A: you dont. You connect to the modems wireless connectiion which asks you for the WPA-PSK Key and you provide it.

unquote

I assume that the router is designed to expect key changes in that it asks for another key. Does this have a security implication for forced challanges?

If this were not the case (router expecting key changes) then presumably providing the wrong key would just ensure a lockout.

Thanks

[Azzaka]

Exactly right.

If the key changes then windows will let you know it is different and will ask for the new details. At this point you supply windows with the detaisl and it connects.

[anon_private]

Thank you.

Are not forced challanges a possiblity in such a system? I realise that it must be designed in this way in order to allow legitimate key changes.

I was also wondering about the situations where serial numbers are used to create keys/password. The advice is usually to change the password and the keys. But in realty, who would actually know the serial numbers in the first place?

Best wishes

A

[Azzaka]

Thank you.

Are not forced challanges a possiblity in such a system? I realise that it must be designed in this way in order to allow legitimate key changes.

I was also wondering about the situations where serial numbers are used to create keys/password. The advice is usually to change the password and the keys. But in realty, who would actually know the serial numbers in the first place?

Best wishes

A

Not so Newbie questions lol.... this is going to take some time to answer.

To answer the second part of the question. There are actually quite a lot of people out there who own keygens for wireless password creation. Considering it is just an algorithmic (sp?) equation the programs are designed to use the same algorithm and then produce the code. The issue then becomes that they need the Serial Code from the modem. To answer your question, only the ISP (if they record it for TR069.) This then turns it into a Brute force attack which then if you collect a sample period of the wireless transmission when its being transmitted as a WEP Key, then you have the key to use the wireless.

Unfortuneatley for the hackers it then becomes necessary to collect at least a steady 1month transmission for the WPA Key, making this a more effective method of protecting your wireless network. Now as far as I am aware, the WPA2 codes, have not yet been cracked.

As for the first part, I shall get back to you.