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Windows 7 Can Create Rogue Wi-Fi Access Point

Posted by timothy on from the feature-not-bug dept.

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.

8 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. Serious issues found with X by Josh04 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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'.

    1. Re:Serious issues found with X by goldaryn · · Score: 5, Insightful

      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

    2. Re:Serious issues found with X by CharlyFoxtrot · · Score: 5, Funny

      Never forget - computers do what you tell them to do, not what you meant them to do

      I have a mac you insensitive clod, it does what His Steveness (peace be upon him) meant it to do.

      --
      If all else fails, immortality can always be assured by spectacular error.
  2. Ghost ridin' the whip! by hkz · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ghost ridin' the whip! No seriously, I've been wanting to use the Linux host AP features to bring up a mischievous AP that does man-in-the-middle attacks. I'd be connected to some open wifi somewhere, and someone would connect to my netbook and also see an open access point. I'd then give them the upside-downternet: http://www.ex-parrot.com/pete/upside-down-ternet.html

    1. Re:Ghost ridin' the whip! by MrEricSir · · Score: 5, Funny

      I think you mean "ghost ride the WEP."

      --
      There's no -1 for "I don't get it."
  3. What is this crap by CSHARP123 · · Score: 5, Insightful

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

  4. Re:No biased reporting here on /. Just the facts. by gad_zuki! · · Score: 5, Informative

    Agreed, this is beyond stupid. You could do the same with XP if you like, but now its a little easier. I used to share a cellular card this way years ago. The "policing" and "lockdown" of "rogue" access points is like one click in group policy or a value in a reg key.

    Slashdot has become the fox news of tech.

  5. Re:Easy Solution by Niobe · · Score: 5, Informative

    You are misunderstanding the problem. The PC running this feature becomes a router bridging their local and probably unauthenticated network with whatever secure network they are already connected to. Add network connection sharing to the mix and you have a security hole regardless of how 'locked down' the original network is. How big a problem this is will depend on the implementation and I haven't seen it.