Windows 7 Can Create Rogue Wi-Fi Access Point

alphadogg writes "Windows 7 contains a 'SoftAP' feature, also called 'virtual Wi-Fi,' that allows a PC to function simultaneously as a Wi-Fi client and as an access point to which other Wi-Fi-capable devices can connect. The capability is handy when users want to share music and play interactive games. But it also can allow on-site visitors and parking-lot hackers to piggyback onto the user's laptop and 'ghost ride' into a corporate network unnoticed." While this means a bit more policing for networks meant to be locked down, it sounds like a good thing overall. Linux users, meanwhile, have had kernel support (since 2.6.26) for 802.11s mesh networking, as well as Host AP support for certain chipsets.

Comments

Serious issues found with X

[Josh04]

Microsoft Z has been found to contain feature X, which purports to do Y but used incorrectly could instead cause W! Linux has had feature X since 20VV, the 'Year of the Linux Desktop'.

Re:Serious issues found with X

[goldaryn]

Microsoft Z has been found to contain feature X, which purports to do Y but used incorrectly could instead cause W! Linux has had feature X since 20VV, the 'Year of the Linux Desktop'.

True. Incompetent users are the problem irrespective of platform. Never forget - computers do what you tell them to do, not what you meant them to do

Watch us both get modded down now

What is this crap

[CSHARP123]

Any OS will have problems if used incorrectly. This biased reporting is BS. It needs to stop.