<p>I don’t mean to start another computer thread in the College Life forum, but since there are so many…</p>
<p>I was wondering how much security there is on a wireless connection. </p>
<p>1) How much security does the computer that is accepting the connection have from the person that is issuing the connection. For example, could my U technically search my computer because I am connecting to their network? And if they can, what are ways that I can protect myself from such invasions.</p>
<p>2) Does the person that is allowing a wireless connection (i.e. the U) have any protection from people accessing their wireless networks. This is a concern if I set up a wireless access point in my house, will people waiting on the corner be able to access my internet and possibly access my files? If so, again, is there any protection? </p>
<p>And no, I’m not concerned about this because I’m doing anything illegal on my computer. 
Well, I don’t know if it’s considered legal either…</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>ok well I don’t have any personal experience with college wireless networks but I have one at my house and this is how it works: you can either do a wireless network in which case all you have access to is the internet or you can hook into a home/office network. This last one allows you to share files throughout the network, for example: I can, using my computer, go on the network and take files off my main computer and put them on mine without using any kind of storage device to transfer anything. I can also edit other peoples files. This is definitely not the kind of network a college will have. You will just have a main university network that will give you internet. You will probably have to enter your student number and a password to get into it initially. For security you need to make sure you have a firewall otherwise any 13-year-old kid can get into your computer whether they’re on the same network or not.</p>
<p>As for the second question. You can get the same security at your home that the U has i.e. a password but it really doesn’t matter, the one you would have at home won’t go nearly as far as the U’s (mine doesn’t even reach the whole house) And it doesn’t hurt you because they can’t connect into your home network, only your wireless, and it doesn’t cost you any money, unless you are paying by the hour still, which I assume you aren’t.</p>
<p>I’m thinking that the university does not have access to your files just your web surfing and e-mail.</p>
<p>lot of misrepresented data there…</p>
<p>First things first, basic wireless signals are free in the air and unencrypted though you should always use at LEAST WEP and your uni will probobly have a shared key WPA setup (with authentication). The data you are sending then is reletively safe and as long as you dont do stupid things like use default windows filesharing, your data will be yours only. Of course if you do do stupid things, it could be wide open for all to take. I dont know why you think a wireless ethernet network would be any worse than a wired in this aspect…both have the exact same protocols but when you are plugged in, they have faster speeds. Your uni will probobly want you to use a cable in your dorm (save bandwidth) but wireless is fine everywhere else).</p>
<p>For the second question. The uni will have protection (usually in the form of a gateway page requiring login) but this will not apply to you setting up your own because well…its yours and why should they give a ****. Actually, they probobly will care and most schools now ban students from running their own wireless networks (just use the campus provided one). Most people dont know how to set up wireless and leave it unsecure for the kid on the corner to use but the schools system will not be left that way.</p>
<p>I sure had a misconception, then, about wireless. I just remember my friend showed me how he was IN HIS HOUSE and accessed the neighbor’s wireless and was viewing his files by doing some port something (network logistics Completely escape me). Anyway, my wired network has never given me problems. </p>
<p>ottothecow: well, the wired network would allow users to share the connection if they were connected to MY router only, whereas the wireless allows a wireless connection, so they don’t need to be in my house to use the internet/view files. I hear you on the “WEP,” but I have no idea what WPA is. When I used to have wireless (before I got scared and got rid of it), I remember I had WEP or something on.
I’m sure the schools will be smart bout that.</p>
<p>To use my colleges wireless you need the WEP and you need to log in with your school username and password. It works the same as the network the have set up through the ethernet ports in the dorm room.</p>