[ubuntu-uk] Wireless Cracking was setting up bt home hub in ubuntu

[Steve]

On Wed, 2007-06-13 at 20:09 +0100, Dave Walker wrote:
> On Wed, 2007-06-13 at 19:50 +0100, Ian Pascoe wrote:
> > Hi Folks
> > 
> > Some clarity on these times to break please!
> > 
> > Is this done by snooping the traffic that is going between the computer and
> > router or by bombarding the router with various keys until it responds?
> > 
> > Anyone know for sure?  I know a couple of guys who work on computer
> > crypotography and they quote figures like a million transfered packets to
> > get the key reliably .... and they know cos they've done it.
> > 
> > E
> > 
> 
> Ian,
> 
> I am concerned where this thread could lead, but i feel that a high
> level explanation is appropriate.  Obviously attempting this on a
> network that is not your own is illegal.  I attempted this on a network
> i own a few years ago, and was shocked that i could gain access within
> an hour.  Tools have probably improved somewhat since i tried it.
> 
> The way that WEP is cracked falls into two categories.  There is a
> passive attack that purely listens and logs packets sent between access
> point and authorised user; the other method is active that sends
> malformed packets to the access point that increases the amount of
> 'interesting' packets returned to the cracker.
> 
> These 'interesting' packets revel certain information that allow a tool
> to work out what the WEP key is.
> 
> The more 'interesting' packets you have gathered the faster the cracking
> can be achieved, with a million; it would take seconds - but the
> gathering takes a little longer.
> 
> WEP is largely outdated, and most people who use security tend to use
> the more secure WPA Protocol
> 
> Kind Regards,
> Dave Walker
> 
> 

There was a recent Security Now podcast that explains this topic quite
well. It think it has been linked to before on this list, but here you
go anyway. http://media.grc.com/sn/SN-089.mp3

Happy listening,

Steve