Wireless network (802.11b) Constantly being seen as a new one?

[Ed Nuxters]

I have a new Gateway P320 with the built in 802.11b and g wireless
adapter.
I have 128 bit WEB encryption set up with no problem, but in order to
get the NIC to see the connection, I had to enable the SSID broadcast
as well. When I turn off the SSID broadcast, I loose the connection.
Is there a way to "lock" the wireless NIC connection, so that I don't
have to keep SSID on?
I want to keep SSID off since I hear about people driving around
looking for wirelss access points... I have WEP, but I wouldn't mind
NOT broadcasting the fact I have this thing all over Creation.
Thanks!

[Carey Holzman]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811427

Carey

"Ed Nuxters" > wrote in message
...
>I have a new Gateway P320 with the built in 802.11b and g wireless
> adapter.
> I have 128 bit WEB encryption set up with no problem, but in order to
> get the NIC to see the connection, I had to enable the SSID broadcast
> as well. When I turn off the SSID broadcast, I loose the connection.
> Is there a way to "lock" the wireless NIC connection, so that I don't
> have to keep SSID on?
> I want to keep SSID off since I hear about people driving around
> looking for wirelss access points... I have WEP, but I wouldn't mind
> NOT broadcasting the fact I have this thing all over Creation.
> Thanks!

[Ed Nuxters]

On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 21:04:00 -0700, "Carey Holzman" >
wrote:

>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811427
>
>Carey
>
>"Ed Nuxters" > wrote in message
...
>>I have a new Gateway P320 with the built in 802.11b and g wireless
>> adapter.
>> I have 128 bit WEB encryption set up with no problem, but in order to
>> get the NIC to see the connection, I had to enable the SSID broadcast
>> as well. When I turn off the SSID broadcast, I loose the connection.
>> Is there a way to "lock" the wireless NIC connection, so that I don't
>> have to keep SSID on?
>> I want to keep SSID off since I hear about people driving around
>> looking for wirelss access points... I have WEP, but I wouldn't mind
>> NOT broadcasting the fact I have this thing all over Creation.
>> Thanks!
>

It is already in the preferred networks section.

[Carey Holzman]

Did you not read the link? Here is Microsoft's position on this (quoted from
the link)

"Disabling SSID broadcasts on an access point is not considered a valid
method for securing a wireless network. Microsoft does not reccomend this
practice for any wireless network." (yes, Microsoft spells the word
'recommend' wrong in the Knowledgebase article).

Carey



"Ed Nuxters" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 21:04:00 -0700, "Carey Holzman" >
> wrote:
>
>>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811427
>>
>>Carey
>>
>>"Ed Nuxters" > wrote in message
...
>>>I have a new Gateway P320 with the built in 802.11b and g wireless
>>> adapter.
>>> I have 128 bit WEB encryption set up with no problem, but in order to
>>> get the NIC to see the connection, I had to enable the SSID broadcast
>>> as well. When I turn off the SSID broadcast, I loose the connection.
>>> Is there a way to "lock" the wireless NIC connection, so that I don't
>>> have to keep SSID on?
>>> I want to keep SSID off since I hear about people driving around
>>> looking for wirelss access points... I have WEP, but I wouldn't mind
>>> NOT broadcasting the fact I have this thing all over Creation.
>>> Thanks!
>>
>
> It is already in the preferred networks section.

[Ed Nuxters]

On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 22:42:38 -0700, "Carey Holzman" >
wrote:

>Did you not read the link? Here is Microsoft's position on this (quoted from
>the link)
>
>"Disabling SSID broadcasts on an access point is not considered a valid
>method for securing a wireless network. Microsoft does not reccomend this
>practice for any wireless network." (yes, Microsoft spells the word
>'recommend' wrong in the Knowledgebase article).
>
>Carey
>


Microsoft is full of ****.
If they can't see my network, they won't try to hack it.

http://compnetworking.about.com/b/a/070349.htm

[Carey Holzman]

I'm not disagreeing with you. Microsoft's stance is similar to going to a
doctor and saying "It hurts when I do this"

and the doctor (Microsoft) in this case says "Don't do that."


"Ed Nuxters" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 22:42:38 -0700, "Carey Holzman" >
> wrote:
>
>>Did you not read the link? Here is Microsoft's position on this (quoted
>>from
>>the link)
>>
>>"Disabling SSID broadcasts on an access point is not considered a valid
>>method for securing a wireless network. Microsoft does not reccomend this
>>practice for any wireless network." (yes, Microsoft spells the word
>>'recommend' wrong in the Knowledgebase article).
>>
>>Carey
>>
>
>
> Microsoft is full of ****.
> If they can't see my network, they won't try to hack it.
>
> http://compnetworking.about.com/b/a/070349.htm
>
>
>
>
>

[Richard G. Harper]

The only problem with disabling SSID is that it won't prevent anyone from
hacking your network. All it will do is deter the casual passer-by from
seeing it easily. The determined hacker will sniff packets and will soon
enough be able to deduce the SSID from the traffic on your wireless network.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Ed Nuxters" > wrote in message
...

> Microsoft is full of ****.
> If they can't see my network, they won't try to hack it.
>
> http://compnetworking.about.com/b/a/070349.htm

[Ed Nuxters]

On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 06:19:47 -0500, "Richard G. Harper"
> wrote:

>The only problem with disabling SSID is that it won't prevent anyone from
>hacking your network. All it will do is deter the casual passer-by from
>seeing it easily. The determined hacker will sniff packets and will soon
>enough be able to deduce the SSID from the traffic on your wireless network.

Thats fine. One more step may be a drop in the ocean, but its still
part of the ocean. Or somethig like that.

I seem to have it working. I have SSID turned off and its not giving
me any disconnect messages since I installed SP2.

[Richard G. Harper]

That's good news, then. Congrats!

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Ed Nuxters" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 06:19:47 -0500, "Richard G. Harper"
> > wrote:
>
>>The only problem with disabling SSID is that it won't prevent anyone from
>>hacking your network. All it will do is deter the casual passer-by from
>>seeing it easily. The determined hacker will sniff packets and will soon
>>enough be able to deduce the SSID from the traffic on your wireless
>>network.
>
> Thats fine. One more step may be a drop in the ocean, but its still
> part of the ocean. Or somethig like that.
>
> I seem to have it working. I have SSID turned off and its not giving
> me any disconnect messages since I installed SP2.