LinuxQuestions.org
Share your knowledge at the LQ Wiki.
Home Forums Tutorials Articles Register
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Newbie
User Name
Password
Linux - Newbie This Linux forum is for members that are new to Linux.
Just starting out and have a question? If it is not in the man pages or the how-to's this is the place!

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 05-29-2017, 04:58 PM   #1
maplesyrup
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: May 2017
Location: SouthEast USA
Distribution: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
Posts: 16

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Wifi or Wired for Security


Hear so much about WiFi being hacked. Are Window users more susceptible to being hacked than Linux users using Wifi?

If one had a choice is it best to go with wifi or wired for a home Linux computer system?

thank you
 
Old 05-29-2017, 05:06 PM   #2
273
LQ Addict
 
Registered: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680

Rep: Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373
Security wise a wire will beat wireless any day. WiFi can be hacked regardless of the OS being used -- the attacker just has to record a lot of packets.
That said, WiFi is convenient and, personally, I don't expect my neighbours to spend hours hacking my WiFi then ARP spoofing, messing with security certificates and the like just for my credit card details. So, rather than run ethernet to the bathroom and kitchen I'll use WiFi.
Most house door locks can be picked in seconds by people who know what they're doing but not all that many people I know of have more secure locks fitted.
It's all about deciding how much risk you're willing to take.
 
1 members found this post helpful.
Old 05-29-2017, 05:22 PM   #3
Soadyheid
Senior Member
 
Registered: Aug 2010
Location: Near Edinburgh, Scotland
Distribution: Cinnamon Mint 20.1 (Laptop) and 20.2 (Desktop)
Posts: 1,672

Rep: Reputation: 486Reputation: 486Reputation: 486Reputation: 486Reputation: 486
Quote:
So, rather than run ethernet to the bathroom and kitchen I'll use WiFi.
Bathroom? What on earth are you doing connecting to the internet in the bathroom? No, on second thoughts... Don't tell me. My imagination could suffer a factory reset.

Play Bonny!

 
Old 05-29-2017, 05:33 PM   #4
273
LQ Addict
 
Registered: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680

Rep: Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soadyheid View Post
Bathroom? What on earth are you doing connecting to the internet in the bathroom? No, on second thoughts... Don't tell me. My imagination could suffer a factory reset.

Play Bonny!

Never hear of anybody reading in there before, or listening to music?
 
Old 05-29-2017, 07:30 PM   #5
Soadyheid
Senior Member
 
Registered: Aug 2010
Location: Near Edinburgh, Scotland
Distribution: Cinnamon Mint 20.1 (Laptop) and 20.2 (Desktop)
Posts: 1,672

Rep: Reputation: 486Reputation: 486Reputation: 486Reputation: 486Reputation: 486
You've never wondered at the, "Are you going to be in there all day!" shouts from outside?
Please be considerate of other users.

Reading: Book, Kindle device

Music: MP3 type player, iPod, Phone with storage.

No internet required in the bathroom!

Play Bonny!

 
Old 05-29-2017, 08:14 PM   #6
jefro
Moderator
 
Registered: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,980

Rep: Reputation: 3624Reputation: 3624Reputation: 3624Reputation: 3624Reputation: 3624Reputation: 3624Reputation: 3624Reputation: 3624Reputation: 3624Reputation: 3624Reputation: 3624
As noted above, a wired inside would tend to be more secure. Physical access is a big security leak.

There are many ways users are being taken advantage of. The sales pitches to many users on public wifi is that a VPN could protect them. You might be surprised to learn how many crooks hang out at on public wifi spots. Low hanging fruit from some. Get a coffee and hack into the locals data.

Your home could be less than secure too if you don't change passwords often or have kid hacker next door. A few million beacons might yield a password on wifi. Some routers are sold with an ability to break encryption.

In a typical home system, the attack is more likely to come from outside the lan on isp side.

Like the Seinfeld show. If it goes the the bathroom, it stays there.

Last edited by jefro; 05-29-2017 at 08:17 PM.
 
Old 05-30-2017, 12:11 AM   #7
AwesomeMachine
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Jan 2005
Location: USA and Italy
Distribution: Debian testing/sid; OpenSuSE; Fedora; Mint
Posts: 5,524

Rep: Reputation: 1015Reputation: 1015Reputation: 1015Reputation: 1015Reputation: 1015Reputation: 1015Reputation: 1015Reputation: 1015
I use locks that are difficult to pick, not to keep everyone out, but to make sure they have to kick down the door. I'll notice that! I also keep a honey pot to gather info on unwanted users.
 
Old 05-30-2017, 01:07 PM   #8
273
LQ Addict
 
Registered: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680

Rep: Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373
Quote:
Originally Posted by AwesomeMachine View Post
I use locks that are difficult to pick, not to keep everyone out, but to make sure they have to kick down the door. I'll notice that! I also keep a honey pot to gather info on unwanted users.
That actually being my point -- if you're in a place where you fear silent home invasions then you're likely to need better locks and doors. Most of us know we've been burgled because things have been taken.
While the analogy doesn't completely hold for digital communication the likelyhood of loss and the likelyhood of that being something not possible to solve with hpone calls are still, at the moment at least, low.
I'll not refrain from using WiFi and the convenience it brings because some boogey man is out there.
Everything is a risk.
Just know what you're risking and what to do if you loose it.
 
  


Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
ADSL WIFI ROUTER, SETTING DIFERENT IP RANGES BETWEEN WIRED and WIFI Corsari Linux - Networking 12 12-12-2012 08:27 AM
Wifi adapter now showing as wired? SqdnGuns Slackware 7 06-23-2010 07:24 AM
dual wifi and wired connection: how to make a specific website use only wifi? shinji2001xyz Linux - Networking 2 04-08-2010 10:13 AM
Bridging a Wifi and Wired Network... sancho Linux - Wireless Networking 8 07-18-2008 06:31 PM
Sharing Internet+WiFi+Wired flying_eyes Linux - Wireless Networking 4 10-28-2003 08:07 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Newbie

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:24 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration