Transcript The Basics of HOME NETWORKS

The Basics of
HOME NETWORKS
Capstone Technologies Group
Brian Sammons
Why a home network?
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Share an internet connection
between multiple computers.
Share files and devices between
computers
Better security by using a hardware
firewall.
www.captechgroup.com
Choose Your Technology
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802.11a
802.11b
802.11g
802.11n (coming)
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Wired Network
Wireless Network
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Wired vs. Wireless
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Wired Network
• Secure
• Cheaper equipment
• More reliable
• Faster data transfer
• Run cable in walls or along baseboards
• May need a professional
• Good for new construction
www.captechgroup.com
Wired vs. Wireless
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Wireless Network
• Mobility, Mobility, Mobility
• Slower data speeds?
• More expensive?
• Inherently insecure
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802.11a vs. 802.11b
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802.11a
• Uses the less crowded 5Ghz spectrum
• Accommodates more users
• Data speeds up to 54Mbps
• High absorption rate (easily blocked by
walls and objects)
• Operating range 150ft
• Not compatible with 802.11b protocol
• Components are expensive
www.captechgroup.com
802.11a vs. 802.11b
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802.11b
• Uses the overcrowded 2.4 GHz
spectrum
• Data speeds up to 11 Mbps (biggest
disadvantage)
• 300ft operating range
• Low absorption rate (travels through
walls and objects)
www.captechgroup.com
802.11g
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802.11g
• Compatible with both 802.11a and
802.11b networks
• Uses the overcrowded 2.4 GHz
spectrum.
• Data speeds up to 54 Mbps
• 300ft operating range
• Low absorption rate (travels through
walls and objects)
www.captechgroup.com
802.11n
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Approximately 1 year away (2005-6)
Frequency most likely the 5GHz range,
meaning possible compatibility with
802.11a
Throughput to match highest possible data
rates- (raise the effective throughput of
WLANs to at least 100M bps)
Defining standardized modifications to the
802.11 physical layers and MAC layers,
which will improve not just data rates but
also actual data throughput
www.captechgroup.com
Network Set up Demo
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Linksys
Belkin
DLink
Microsoft
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Securing my wireless network
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Change the defaults!
Enable WEP
MAC Address filtering
Disable DHCP
Change the IP Subnet
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Change the defaults!
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Change the default SSID
• (Service Set IDentifier)
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Disable SSID Broadcast
Change the default username and
password
Default password lists commonly
available, just Google “default password
list”
http://www.phenoelit.de/dpl/dpl.html
www.captechgroup.com
Enable WEP
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Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a
protocol used for encrypting packets on a
wireless network. It uses a 64-bit (or 256bit, depending on the vendor) shared key
algorithm. Using WEP will increase the
protection on your data, but doing so will
reduce the effective data rates.
Truly secure? Nope!
www.captechgroup.com
MAC Address Filtering
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Only MAC addresses that have been
registered with the wireless access point
are able to gain access to your network.
You can usually locate the MAC address of
your network card on the device itself.
www.captechgroup.com
Disable DHCP
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Use static IP addresses if the number of
users on the network is small. Turning off
DHCP will prevent wireless sniffers from
seeing the IP addresses being used.
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Change the IP Subnet
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Most wireless routers use the default
192.168.1.0 or 192.168.0.1 network. It is
easy for people to guess the IP addresses
used and illegally gain access to the
network.
www.captechgroup.com
OK, I’ve done all that…
What’s next?
 How secure am I now?
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www.captechgroup.com
Wardriving / Warchalking
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http://www.bitshift.org/wardriving.sh
tml
What’s needed?
Who’s doing it?
Am I at risk?
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Hotspots in the area
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Lots of unsecured homes/businesses
www.wifimaps.com
www.wardriving.com
www.captechgroup.com
Conclusion
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Thank you for your time!
Capstone Technologies Group
Brian Sammons
www.captechgroup.com