RE: WiFi security implications

From: David Gillett (gillettdavid_at_fhda.edu)
Date: 12/05/03

  • Next message: David Gillett: "RE: Port mirroring across multiple switches"
    To: "'Tres London'" <telconstar99@wblondon.com>, <security-basics@securityfocus.com>
    Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 16:26:10 -0800
    
    

      The VPN encryption should be end-to-end, from your laptop
    across the wireless connection and internet to a trusted endpoint
    on the company network. The wireless link in the chain means
    there is a bit higher likelihood that the traffic can be sniffed
    than with *most* home Internet technologies, but the VPN encryption
    should be resistant to that.
      I don't think your IT guys need to worry on that score.

      I have heard that in some cases the providers of public or semi-
    public wireless access are reluctant to permit end-to-end VPN
    connections since they lose any ability to monitor traffic except
    by volume. Such providers may allow you to minimize the sniffing
    risk by running IPSec over the wireless link, but not across the
    remaining Internet leg of the conversation.
      This is not good enough, and your IT guys would be right to
    block that scenario.

    David Gillett

    > -----Original Message-----
    > From: Tres London [mailto:telconstar99@wblondon.com]
    > Sent: December 3, 2003 18:29
    > To: security-basics@securityfocus.com
    > Subject: WiFi security implications
    >
    >
    > Hello List, 1st time poster here :)
    >
    > If I work for a financial firm, have a laptop with wireless access and
    > am at a publicly available wireless access point, and want
    > access to my
    > network via VPN, what are the security implications?
    >
    > My company currently allows people from home to VPN into the
    > network at
    > work, but IT is nervous about allowing it over a wireless connection
    > because of security implications.
    >
    > My point is that VPN should be secure enough on it's own,
    > even if people
    > access my information, it's still encrypted with IPSec (or something
    > like that).
    >
    > Thoughts?
    >
    > Thanks,
    >
    > -Tres London
    >
    >
    > --------------------------------------------------------------
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    >

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  • Next message: David Gillett: "RE: Port mirroring across multiple switches"

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