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« Forced Wireless | Main | News for 8/20/01 »

August 19, 2001

Knowledge is Power

The New York Times on 802.11b security issues (free registration required): an excellent and clear summary with good anecdotes about the state of corporate understanding of wireless network security

The New York Times on Bluetooth's prospects (free registration required): not good, but Bluetooth may still survive. The article makes good sense of the finances, support, and business climate, but features some howlers and odd phrasings.

Consider this odd statement: "...radio waves can travel through walls and in many directions at once, up to about 30 feet." Specifically, at the power limits and with antennas in Bluetooth's minimum specifications. More accurately, it would read, "Bluetooth's radio signal spreads in all directions from each device's built-in antenna, reaching a specification-mandated minimum of 30 feet indoors through walls and other obstructions."

Another error in the piece misstakenly underrates Wi-Fi: "instead of linking devices through an ad hoc connection of radio waves like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi connects devices directly to an established Internet network." The writer (or more likely, editor and copy editor) seem to impute a magic meaning to radio waves. Wi-Fi can, obviously, connect ad hoc networks (such as one being built for Burning Man) both in the formal sense of the word - there's part of the 802.11b spec applying to a technically ad hoc network - as well as the looser sense of a bunch of devices. Wi-Fi doesn't have to be connected to the Internet; it doesn't even have to run TCP/IP. Wi-Fi is Ethernet, wirelessly.

Yet another odd locution: "Users of the unlicensed spectrum do not have to pay telecommunications carriers for air time..." That's not quite right. I realize this is trying to cast unlicensed spectrum in terms of licensed chunks, but it implies that telecomm companies somehow own the airwaves.

This program breaks the WEP encryption and delivers the key: I have mixed feelings about posting a link to this software, but it's necessary because it's widely available. Running this software against anyone's network except your own (or one that you have authorized, written permission to crack) could constitute illegal cracking in many jurisdictions worldwide. Simple ownership of this program might also be illegal in some countries.

Note that cracking WEP encryption is not covered by the DCMA, which has resulted in charges against people cracking Adobe eBook and Hollywood DVD encryption. Those schemes are copyright-protection methodologies that include encryption; WEP is a general-purpose encryption system which is not design specifically to protect copyrighted materials.

If your system admin doesn't believe that WEP is full of Swiss cheese, forward them the link and make sure they run the program.

None of the above constitutes legal advice; I am not a lawyer. Consult an attorney or barrister in your local venue before taking any action you're concerned about.