open access point?

Question

Hi all,
I want to open my network to everyone in my access point area, but what is the main security problem if I setup my access point to be open to everybody? Can someone stole my files from my computer if I don't share any directories? I known that the data that is travelling can be captured, but wherelse can be done by a user in network?

Answer 1

Forgetting for a moment the problems with limewire and users downloading copyrighted material or kiddie porn (for which the ISP will have YOUR name) if you have a firewall in place, your material should be safe. Some wireless access points have a setting called "Public Secure Packet Forwarding", if you enable this feature, wireless clients can only have internet access, no file sharing, printing etc.

Answer 2

If your network is properly secured, they shouldn't be able to do too much. As you said, the biggest threat is someone else on the network 'sniffing', or viewing the traffic being sent between computers on the network and the internet. If you use websites that use unencrypted passwords, or send other information over the internet - it's vulnerable to anyone with a laptop and a wireless card. If you don't have any shared directories, they generally can't access any folders.

Answer 3

The main problem is that if you have a full time internet connection available through the access point, You may run into problems with the usage agreement between you and your ISP.
Also, if you are using Windows, someone elses activity may cause security problems on you computer. Most free hotspots at restuarants and hotels require the user to agree to usage rules before internet access is allowed.

Answer 4

Very generous of you but, given that Microsoft at its most secure is watertight like a sieve, you're risking your data.

You are also risking prosecution... as all internet use will be tracked to your router, anything risky will come back to you and it will be up to you to prove you didn't do it or permit it to be done. Oh, your open AP did permit it to be done.

Now if you want to be kind BUT secure, use high security and let anyone who asks you be registered to use yoru AP providing they sign a waiver for you saying they will be responsible for their actions.

Answer 5

Not only is your data out in the open, but so is everyone else's. Illegal stuff can occur, people surfing the wrong things, viruses, spyware, data loss...let someone else take the responsibility. Like Starbucks

Answer 6

That's a possibility, but the other thing to be concerned about is if they start doing illegal stuff through your connection the police are going to be coming to you first...

Answer 7

If you dont have your computers setup for sharing and you have your firewall setup then ypu should have no problems.