Sort of hard and soft (ware) related..

[Politically Incorrect]

I just got myself a Verizon Broadband wireless connection.
Using a USB wireless modem, since every one else asked me I will explain what it is and does, I understand though most here know what I am speaking of.
It is a wireless receiver unit that plugs in via USB port, and gives me internet anywhere I can get a cell signal. Pretty sweet I must say after living with dial up for so long.

My question is how secure is this? As in if a firewall is needed?

I can't find any real documentation on it, the unit basically has its own phone number, and knowing that it is possible to hack cell phone signals I am assuming it is the same with this. Can this signal be intercepted as easily as any other wireless setup? Do I need to run a firewall? is it possible for someone else to get on it and use the service while I have it activated?

The software that is required to connect to the sevice has no specific security settings, nor info about security precautions so any help is appreciated!

Thanks

[ctjoyce]

Oh air card, how amazing unsecure and unstable you are. You ABSOLUTELY need a firewall, and not an MS or the verizon piece of shite. Trust me, those cards are easy to crack, and really don't have any means of encryption.

Cheers
Cameron

[ozzy72]

If they have supplied this with WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) ditch it, it is totally unsecure and can be hacked in seconds! Switch to WAP (Wi-Fi Protected Access) NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Politically Incorrect]

That is the thing, there was access software to install that is it. There are no security settings to be found anywhere for it.
Guess it is time to look for a firewall, something I haven't used in oh...forever  ;D

[Nick N]

[quote]That is the thing, there was access software to install that is it. There are no security settings to be found anywhere for it.
Guess it is time to look for a firewall, something I haven't used in oh...forever

[Politically Incorrect]

That is what I was thinking and why I have yet to install anything.
Unfortunately I can't find any info on the Verizon Site about security. And to prevent confusion since the other places I have posted people don't seem to understand that this is not a wireless network in home. here is the unit I am talking about.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/stor ... oneId=2849

little more info

http://news.vzw.com/news/2007/02/pr2007-02-01c.html

Nick if there is any security advice that I should know about please let me know, any information I can find so far on the internet is all about setting up a network not as a end user.

And no it isn't common to have extremely valuable data, on my hard drive and if it is I encrypt it. But stuff like that I usually keep on removable media.
Thanks for your help

[Nick N]

That is what I was thinking and why I have yet to install anything.
Unfortunately I can't find any info on the Verizon Site about security. And to prevent confusion since the other places I have posted people don't seem to understand that this is not a wireless network in home. here is the unit I am talking about.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/stor ... oneId=2849

little more info

http://news.vzw.com/news/2007/02/pr2007-02-01c.html

Nick if there is any security advice that I should know about please let me know, any information I can find so far on the internet is all about setting up a network not as a end user.

And no it isn't common to have extremely valuable data, on my hard drive and if it is I encrypt it. But stuff like that I usually keep on removable media.
Thanks for your help

ROFL

You are running CDMA 1x Evolution-Data Optimized security


It employs extensive authentication and identification system. Mobile Identification Number (MIN) and Electron Serial Number (ESN) together with CDMA spread spectrum technology make it virtually impossible for unauthorized users to capture and decipher messages.

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi- ... 3/ABSTRACT


your fine

enjoy

If a hacker wants in hes going to have to employ some very, very special equiptment and probably be government or telecom security level connected

[Politically Incorrect]

Thanks Nick that is the info I have been looking for!
I called Verizon support and they refused to tell me, said they can't give out that info. My mother has the phone account so I got the service under her name to save a few hundred dollars.

But I called the store again instead of Tech support and ask him if it uses the info provided and he asked how I knew, I told him I know where to find real support when it is needed , and that if I would have though to ask that question yesterday and was told I was not allowed to know then i wouldn't have purchased the service.

So thanks again, I have looked all day for this info!!! and it is reassuring that it is a secure as it can get.

[Nick N]

Thanks Nick that is the info I have been looking for!
I called Verizon support and they refused to tell me, said they can't give out that info. My mother has the phone account so I got the service under her name to save a few hundred dollars.

But I called the store again instead of Tech support and ask him if it uses the info provided and he asked how I knew, I told him I know where to find real support when it is needed , and that if I would have though to ask that question yesterday and was told I was not allowed to know then i wouldn't have purchased the service.

So thanks again, I have looked all day for this info!!! and it is reassuring that it is a secure as it can get.

Being I am Department of Defense connected, you nothing to worry about unless it is someone like me that wants in

[Politically Incorrect]

Well they are lucky that I enjoy the ability to use this in any pc, and the speed compared to my dial up connection.
I usually have patience when it comes to Tech Sipport, but that lady jerked my chain.

Seriously if I was to ask that as someone interested in buying the service and they told me that yesterday I would have walked out.

As for Government getting in I am not worried, nothing to see here, I am heading to DC for a few days so I can probably expect a few visitors  

[Nick N]

[quote]Well they are lucky that I enjoy the ability to use this in any pc, and the speed compared to my dial up connection.
I usually have patience when it comes to Tech Sipport, but that lady jerked my chain.

Seriously if I was to ask that as someone interested in buying the service and they told me that yesterday I would have walked out.

As for Government getting in I am not worried, nothing to see here, I am heading to DC for a few days so I can probably expect a few visitors

[Politically Incorrect]

Well they are lucky that I enjoy the ability to use this in any pc, and the speed compared to my dial up connection.
I usually have patience when it comes to Tech Sipport, but that lady jerked my chain.

Seriously if I was to ask that as someone interested in buying the service and they told me that yesterday I would have walked out.

As for Government getting in I am not worried, nothing to see here, I am heading to DC for a few days so I can probably expect a few visitors  

you see, thats just it.. if the government wants in there is nothing you or anyone else can do to stop that...  unless you have the same connections they do and run the same encryption.

If they want in, they get in and its actually easier for them to get in on a typical broadband line than it is on a TX   LOL


Your are fine my friend.. enjoy the better security


The gov could care less about you.. unless you are visting one to many "how to make a nuke" web sites      LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Nick it is appreciated!

[Nick N]

[quote][quote][quote]Well they are lucky that I enjoy the ability to use this in any pc, and the speed compared to my dial up connection.
I usually have patience when it comes to Tech Sipport, but that lady jerked my chain.

Seriously if I was to ask that as someone interested in buying the service and they told me that yesterday I would have walked out.

As for Government getting in I am not worried, nothing to see here, I am heading to DC for a few days so I can probably expect a few visitors

[Politically Incorrect]

Great info!! Thanks I can actually make more sense of it now!