802.11b PC Cards - do they leave your PC with a security hole?

[gsjohn]

Assume a wireless 802.11b wireless setup with 2 laptops. Each laptop is connected to the Access Point via infrastructure (NOT Peer to peer). Only reason is to share an internet connection. No drives are shared.

Even though I have DHCP users limited to 2 and a few other security features enabled, I realize it may be possible for hackers to drive by and access the Access Point. If so, I guess they could surf the net a little bit and possibly mess with the settings on the wireless access point.

But my real concern is whether the laptops via the wireless PC Cards are vulnerable in any way. I thought I was safe since I am not using a peer to peer setup. And I am not sharing drives. Anything I should worry about in regards to the laptops?

[morriswindgate]

Keep Anti-Virus up to date and install a Firewall, like ZoneAlarm, Tiny, or Sygate on each machine.

[gsjohn]

have all that covered. but was wondering if the holes exist for a drive by hacker or a neighbor with wireless equipment to reach the laptop PCs and not just the wireless access point.

[morriswindgate]

I have not read anything about it yet, but I am sure that it is only a matter of time. I think I would be more concerned about the Drive-By bandwidth Theif using your Internet Address to engage in Illeagal Activities like sending virus/trojans or downloading/uploading illegal stuff.

[gsjohn]

i hear the drive by thief using internet access to do illegal activities is very common. how likely is it for a thief to break into the access point if DHCP is limited to 2 users and my 2 laptops are the only 2 assigned IP addresses? assume the access point has passwords assigned.

wouldn't it be easier to make the access point "invisible" to all traffic outside of my 2 laptops, or to limit the range of these things?

[jackjones]

Maybe this will help you it explains all of the issues with 802.11b

http://www.iss.net/wireless/WLAN_FAQ.php

[gsjohn]

thanks, read it.

so it appears the biggest threat for the wireless home user is the attack on the access point and using the free internet connection to wreak havoc and do illegal activities.

but the wireless PCs connected to the access point should be OK, provided no file sharing or peer to peer connections are enabled, correct?