Unsecured Wireless: The Driver becomes the Hunted?

[Guest]

I've been enjoying my new Toshiba Tecra M1 laptop. This evening I was experimenting with one of its powerful components, its Centrino wireless card. I live in a condominium complex which is also adjacent to an industrial estate. When I went war driving in my living room I found at least a few networks, including one or two which were unsecured. From these I got an IP address and could surf the internet happily.

As I was browsing "My Network Places" I remarked on the large number of computers exposed to me. It started me wondering, "is my laptop secure in this environment? Am I falling for a honeypot by using this network?" Really, I don't know. I need to figure out "how do I secure my XP client computer from Shadow of Death when I am using a randomly-discovered wireless network" ?

Is it as simple as just turning on my firewall? Is there something I should do to hide the very existence of my client PC on that network? What else should I be concerned about?

I sort of know the answer, yes, there are lots of things to worry about. Anyone want to suggest the few fixes and precautions that stem eighty-percent of the danger?

 

[Roger Abell [MVP]]

inlined . . .

I've been enjoying my new Toshiba Tecra M1 laptop. This evening I was

experimenting with one of its powerful components, its Centrino wireless
card. I live in a condominium complex which is also adjacent to an
industrial estate. When I went war driving in my living room I found at
least a few networks, including one or two which were unsecured. From these
I got an IP address and could surf the internet happily.

As I was browsing "My Network Places" I remarked on the large number of

computers exposed to me. It started me wondering, "is my laptop secure in
this environment?

Not by default - but it can be made safe.

Am I falling for a honeypot by using this network?"

Very possibly if you go digging into the machines available.
There is no way to know.
Even if you touch nothing but just ride the IP ride, it is possible
that you will not be unobserved. After all, your packets have to
flow.

Really, I don't know. I need to figure out "how do I secure my XP client
computer from Shadow of Death when I am using a randomly-discovered wireless
network" ?
Check out the XP security hardening guide from the MS website

Is it as simple as just turning on my firewall?

yes and no. Turining on the firewall on the wireless interface
will prevent uninvited things from entering. What you ask in
is however not subject to any protection from a firewall.

Is there something I should do to hide the very existence of my client PC on
that network?

cannot be done

What else should I be concerned about?
the law

I sort of know the answer, yes, there are lots of things to worry about.

Anyone want to suggest the few fixes and precautions that stem
eighty-percent of the danger?