The Basics of HOME NETWORKS Capstone Technologies Group Brian Sammons

The Basics ofThe Basics of

HOME NETWORKSHOME NETWORKS

Capstone Technologies GroupCapstone Technologies Group

Brian SammonsBrian Sammons

www.captechgroup.comwww.captechgroup.com

Why a home network?Why a home network?

Share an internet connection Share an internet connection between multiple computers.between multiple computers.

Share files and devices between Share files and devices between computerscomputers

Better security by using a hardware Better security by using a hardware firewall.firewall.


Choose Your TechnologyChoose Your Technology

802.11a802.11a 802.11b802.11b 802.11g802.11g 802.11n (coming)802.11n (coming)

Wired NetworkWired Network Wireless NetworkWireless Network


Wired vs. WirelessWired vs. Wireless

Wired NetworkWired Network• SecureSecure• Cheaper equipment Cheaper equipment • More reliableMore reliable• Faster data transferFaster data transfer• Run cable in walls or along baseboardsRun cable in walls or along baseboards• May need a professionalMay need a professional• Good for new constructionGood for new construction


Wired vs. WirelessWired vs. Wireless

Wireless NetworkWireless Network• Mobility, Mobility, MobilityMobility, Mobility, Mobility• Slower data speeds?Slower data speeds?• More expensive?More expensive?• Inherently insecureInherently insecure


802.11a vs. 802.11b802.11a vs. 802.11b

802.11a802.11a• Uses the less crowded 5Ghz spectrumUses the less crowded 5Ghz spectrum• Accommodates more usersAccommodates more users• Data speeds up to 54MbpsData speeds up to 54Mbps• High absorption rate (easily blocked by High absorption rate (easily blocked by

walls and objects)walls and objects)• Operating range 150ft Operating range 150ft • Not compatible with 802.11b protocolNot compatible with 802.11b protocol• Components are expensive Components are expensive


802.11a vs. 802.11b802.11a vs. 802.11b

802.11b802.11b• Uses the overcrowded 2.4 GHz spectrum Uses the overcrowded 2.4 GHz spectrum • Data speeds up to 11 Mbps (biggest Data speeds up to 11 Mbps (biggest

disadvantage)disadvantage)• 300ft operating range300ft operating range• Low absorption rate (travels through Low absorption rate (travels through

walls and objects)walls and objects)


802.11g802.11g

802.11g802.11g• Compatible with both 802.11a and Compatible with both 802.11a and

802.11b networks802.11b networks• Uses the overcrowded 2.4 GHz Uses the overcrowded 2.4 GHz

spectrum.spectrum.• Data speeds up to 54 MbpsData speeds up to 54 Mbps• 300ft operating range300ft operating range• Low absorption rate (travels through Low absorption rate (travels through

walls and objects)walls and objects)


802.11n802.11n Approximately 1 year away (2005-6)Approximately 1 year away (2005-6) Frequency most likely the 5GHz range, Frequency most likely the 5GHz range,

meaning possible compatibility with meaning possible compatibility with 802.11a 802.11a

Throughput to match highest possible data Throughput to match highest possible data rates- (raise the effective throughput of rates- (raise the effective throughput of WLANs to at least 100M bps)WLANs to at least 100M bps)

Defining standardized modifications to the Defining standardized modifications to the 802.11 physical layers and MAC layers, 802.11 physical layers and MAC layers, which will improve not just data rates but which will improve not just data rates but also actual data throughput also actual data throughput


Network Set up DemoNetwork Set up Demo

LinksysLinksys BelkinBelkin DLinkDLink MicrosoftMicrosoft


Securing my wireless networkSecuring my wireless network

Change the defaults!Change the defaults! Enable WEPEnable WEP MAC Address filteringMAC Address filtering Disable DHCPDisable DHCP Change the IP SubnetChange the IP Subnet


Change the defaults!Change the defaults!

Change the default SSIDChange the default SSID• ((SService ervice SSet et IDIDentifier)entifier)

Disable SSID BroadcastDisable SSID Broadcast Change the default username and passwordChange the default username and password

Default password lists commonly available, Default password lists commonly available, just Google “default password list”just Google “default password list”

http://http://www.phenoelit.de/dpl/dpl.htmlwww.phenoelit.de/dpl/dpl.html


Enable WEPEnable WEP

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a protocol used for encrypting packets on a protocol used for encrypting packets on a wireless network. It uses a 64-bit (or 256-wireless network. It uses a 64-bit (or 256-bit, depending on the vendor) shared key bit, depending on the vendor) shared key algorithm. Using WEP will increase the algorithm. Using WEP will increase the protection on your data, but doing so will protection on your data, but doing so will reduce the effective data rates. reduce the effective data rates.

Truly secure? Nope!Truly secure? Nope!


MAC Address FilteringMAC Address Filtering

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.


Disable DHCPDisable DHCP

Use static IP addresses if the number of Use static IP addresses if the number of users on the network is small. Turning off users on the network is small. Turning off DHCP will prevent wireless sniffers from DHCP will prevent wireless sniffers from seeing the IP addresses being used. seeing the IP addresses being used.


Change the IP SubnetChange the IP Subnet

Most wireless routers use the default Most wireless routers use the default 192.168.1.0 or 192.168.0.1 network. It is 192.168.1.0 or 192.168.0.1 network. It is easy for people to guess the IP addresses easy for people to guess the IP addresses used and illegally gain access to the used and illegally gain access to the network. network.


OK, I’ve done all that…OK, I’ve done all that…

What’s next?What’s next? How secure am I now?How secure am I now?


Wardriving / WarchalkingWardriving / Warchalking

http://www.bitshift.org/wardriving.shthttp://www.bitshift.org/wardriving.shtmlml

What’s needed?What’s needed? Who’s doing it?Who’s doing it? Am I at risk?Am I at risk?


Hotspots in the areaHotspots in the area

Lots of unsecured homes/businessesLots of unsecured homes/businesses www.wifimaps.comwww.wifimaps.com www.wardriving.comwww.wardriving.com


ConclusionConclusion

Thank you for your time!Thank you for your time!

Capstone Technologies GroupCapstone Technologies Group

Brian SammonsBrian Sammons

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The Basics of HOME NETWORKS Capstone Technologies Group Brian Sammons