Re: Gaming adapter as access point


Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> answered:

steve317jones@xxxxxxxxxxx hath wroth:

In connecting to open freely provided 3rd-party APs, all within range,

Ok, you're hacking into the neighbors wi-fi access point or mooching
off the local coffee shop wireless. Got it.


Only partly right, main AP will be a free taxpayer paid for AP.


<snip for brevity>

Is there any difference between a client bridge, a gaming adapter and a
router that works in client mode? I have seen adapters advertised under
all three terms that allow multiple ethernet connections to several
devices at once.

See the FAQ at:
| http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FAQ_for_alt.internet.wireless/Wi-Fi#Wireless_Bridge
The term "bridge" has been severly mis-used and abused. There is no
specific term for a "wireless client adapter bridge that will only
bridge one MAC address" versus a "wireless client adapter bridge that
will bridge more than one MAC address". Whew.


I've already read it all, and there seems to be alot of confusion.
Main thing is as you said below, they don't tell you up front. Guess
we need a new standards board to enforce some standards?


If so what is the difference?

Can I pass? I'm not 100% I understand the difference and really don't
wanna dive into the protocols tonite.

Sure I was just wondering if there's anyway to tell before you buy what
the box does; I guess there isn't.


Which alone or in combination gives the
best security from incoming hacking attempts and access to local hard
drives?

There's no connection between security and the type of adapter or
bridge. It's the encryption level that offers security. WPA-PSK with
a long key is good enough for home use. If you're running a corporate
LAN, WPA-RADIUS is better. If you're really paranoid, an IPSec VPN is
the best.

One of the APs used will be unencrypted, so thinking of using Tor or
have to study VPN (sheesh, got enough to do already).

Or is the terminology so loose that you never know what you're
getting until you buy and try?

Yep. The current trend is to disclose as few techy details as
possible to prevent confusing the customer and insuring a satisfactory
out of box experience. Be sure to thank the marketing department for
the insipid data sheets and product description.

Can a software firewall be used with a client gaming adapter or client
bridge to provide as good of security as a router in client mode?

Again, no amount of firewalling is going to keep some wireless hacker
off your LAN unless you have decent encryption. Well, you can run a
VPN and also run an open unencrypted system and be quite safe. Routers
do not have a "client mode". I thought you didn't want to install a
router between your multiple computers and your wireless game adapter
client whatever bridge. Also, routers don't have a client mode.

I thought some routers could act as both APs and routers
simultaneously? How hard is it to set up VPN? Briefly, what's involved?


Are you perhaps worried that someone is going to attack your
unprotected home computers via your wireless game adapter? That's not
going to happen unless you accidently setup an ad-hoc wireless
network. You can be attacked from the LAN side of whatever hot spot
you're connecting to, but not directly.

I meant how can someone running the "hotspot" I am connecting to use it
to get to my hard drive (assuming file sharing is off) or download a
virus, malware on my machines? And will it be sufficient to use a good
software firewall to prevent this, or MUST I get a router in addition?


Since testing often involves shutting down the firewall, how are
rulesets generally written to provide quick security in the initial
setup?

Dunno. I usually don't write rulesets unless it's a Cisco router.
Were you planning to buy a Cisco router? There are plenty of example
IOS configs on the internet for every ocassion.

Very funny. Wouldn't be here if I was planning on a Cisco router most
likely.


Methinks you would be better served if you use your wireless game
adapter in client mode to connect to whatever you're connecting to,
and then install a common ethernet router between the wireless client
adapter and your computers. That will provide NAT for distributing
multiple IP's, and firewall protection.

How about a brand/model recommendation for the router to work in
connection with a Buffalo gamer/AP/bridge device?

.

Quantcast