Wireless Flaw a Danger to Laptops

Discussion in 'other security issues & news' started by ronjor, Jan 16, 2006.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. ronjor

    ronjor Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2003
    Posts:
    172,005
    Location:
    Texas
    Story
     
  2. rdsu

    rdsu Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2003
    Posts:
    4,537
    I observe that today with the ZoneAlarm Pro, but that network didn't appear on the Zones of ZAP... o_O
     
  3. FanJ

    FanJ Guest

  4. rdsu

    rdsu Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2003
    Posts:
    4,537
  5. Cscampxp

    Cscampxp Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2005
    Posts:
    34
    It's part of the Windows boot up process so it's not just laptops. When you have a NIC card installed one of the things your pc does before windows loads is what is called DHCP discover...it looks for DHCP servers and asks them for an ip address. If you you have a DHCP server (a router for example) the router responds back and gives (assigns) you an ip address (you then get a 192.168.0.x for example). But if it can't find a DHCP server or lets say the DHCP server is down, your pc will "automcatically" assign itself a 169.254.x.x ip address. It's called APIPA...Automatic Private IP Addressing

    It does that whether you're wireless or not. If you're on wireless...that's right it will look for Wifi networks but won't automatically connect to it unless it your own default connection. It simply says that these are the available networks.
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2006
  6. ronjor

    ronjor Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2003
    Posts:
    172,005
    Location:
    Texas
    Windows Wi-Fi patch could be long time coming

    Story
     
  7. securityx

    securityx Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2005
    Posts:
    149
    Before everyone panics, take note of this paragraph:

    "Anyway, you might be wondering now how you can make sure your Windows laptop is protected from this.....er, feature. First of all, if you are running any kind of network firewall -- including the firewall that comes built in to Windows XP -- you won't have to worry about some stranger connecting to your laptop. In fact, I had to shut down my firewall for both of us to successfully conduct our test."
     
  8. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

    Joined:
    May 9, 2005
    Posts:
    10,296
    Hi,
    Furthermore, you can assign static ips to machines and block dhcp.
    Mrk
     
  9. trickyricky

    trickyricky Registered Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2005
    Posts:
    475
    Location:
    London, UK
    Or do what I've done and use a separate app to control your wireless connection, which usually comes free with the wireless network adaptor and which doesn't have this problem.
     
  10. Cscampxp

    Cscampxp Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2005
    Posts:
    34
    In the NIC card's tcp/ip properties -----> alternate configuration tab

    you can use a user configured "static" entry instead of it automatically defaulting to APIPA.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.