Questions tagged [wifi]

Security for 802.11 wireless networks.

Security for 802.11 wireless networks.

802.11 is a standard for wireless local area networks from IEEE.

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Consequences of the WPA2 KRACK attack

Today new research was published on vulnerabilities in wireless network security called Krack. What are the real-world consequences of these attacks for users and owners of wireless networks, what can an attacker actually do to you? Also is there…
Rory McCune
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Is visiting HTTPS websites on a public hotspot secure?

It's often said that HTTPS SSL/TLS connections are encrypted and said to be secure because the communication between the server and me is encrypted (also provides server authentication) so if someone sniffs my packets, they will need zillions of…
Calmarius
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Can someone take down Wi-Fi signal?

Is it possible that someone made an attack (DoS or something else) to my Wi-Fi router (without knowing of the password) and make my router's signal unavailable? 1) How it can be done? 2) What are remedies?
T.Todua
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To sufficiently protect against KRACK is patching the client, the AP, or both, required?

Following on from this question, I am unclear on which of the following steps are sufficient to protect a WPA2-based wifi connection from the KRACK flaw: Patching the AP (e.g. router) Patching the client (e.g. mobile device) Patching the AP and the…
Jon Bentley
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Is public Wi-Fi a threat nowadays?

In my opinion, arguments we have been using for years to say that public Wi-Fi access points are insecure are no longer valid, and so are the recommended remedies (e.g. use VPN). Nowadays, most sites use HTTPS and set HSTS headers, so the odds that…
The Illusive Man
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This JavaScript code is injected on my hotel Wi-Fi: should I be worried?

While connected to my hotel Wi-Fi, visiting the URL http://www.google-analytics.com/ga.js results in the following content being served: var ga_exists; if(!ga_exists) { ga_exists = 1; var is_responsive = false; var use_keywords =…
foodiddy
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Why wasn't the KRACK exploit discovered sooner?

From what I've read, the issue is as simple as performing step 3 of a 4-step handshake and the consequences of performing that step more than once. Considering the complexity of these kinds of algorithms, I'm somewhat surprised that it is so…
Dave Cousineau
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Does the length of a password for Wi-Fi affect speed?

I work at a place that gives Wi-Fi to all the customers, with a password that is 19 characters long. A customer came in and claimed that because the password is long, it slows down the internet speed. Is there any truth to this claim?
user213838
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Is it possible to "fake" being connected to a router?

A friend of mine is taking a UNIX systems class and mentioned to me that when they take exams they do so on their computers. That is all students are using their own computer/laptop. Students are not being provided a computer by the professor. In…
Ryan
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Trying to keep high school students out of the Wi-Fi network

I'm a teacher and IT person at a small K-12 school. The students are not supposed to have phones, laptops or access to the network. However, students being students they will try to find a way around the rules. The students manage to acquire the…
Dave McQueen
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How is no password more secure than username+password?

Context: I have a laptop supplied by my organisation. I am trying to connect to eduroam, but I cannot do it using my organisation's laptop. When I use a personal computer, it asks me for a username and password, just as a standard wifi network asks…
luchonacho
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Is there any security threat with open WiFi connection?

For a few days, my mobile device has been able to catch Wi-Fi signals that are within its radius. It's not asking for a password to use the service. So, I'm using the Wi-Fi service whenever I need to. Is there any chance to hack my email and other…
Mahesh.D
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If we should encrypt the message rather than the method of transfer, why do we care about wifi security? Is this just security theatre?

Most answers to this question about the security of satellite internet boil down to: encrypting the message is more important than encrypting the method of transfer. However, there seems to be a lot of focus on wi-fi security. For what threat models…
gerrit
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School asked us to submit our MAC addresses

My school has recently asked us to submit our MAC address to the school along with our designated name to be used to connect to the Wi-Fi. Previously this wasn't needed. I would like to ask about what kind of information that they can collect from…
cyanide
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Can I prevent my neighbors, whom I pay for shared internet (WiFi), from seeing the sites I've visited?

I pay my neighbors to use their WiFi. They have listed me as Guest with a separate password from theirs. Is there any way to prevent them from seeing the sites I've visited? My browser history clears automatically. Since they're in charge of the…
Pat
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