DHS IT FairMarch 12, 2009

Barry CaplinChief Information Security Officer

Minnesota Department of Human Servicesbarry.caplin@state.mn.us

WiFi for DummiesSmart People who aren’t sure how

set it up securely

Agenda

• Why wireless?

• Wireless basics

• Top 10 tips

• Wireless at DHS

Why Wireless?

Wireless Basics

You need:• Computer/Laptop

– Built-in wireless (or WiFi)– a/b/g/n– Connects to Access Point

• Wireless Access Point or Router– Receives/transmits signals between

wireless computer and network

Wireless Basics

What, Me Worry?

• If you can connect to your wireless network.

• An outsider can:– Connect to your home network– “listen” to what you do: taxes, banking,

personal communication

And will look like they are part of your home network, so if they do something bad…

… what stops anyone else?

Wireless Basics

• WiFi– Not an acronym

– Trademark

– Play on words (Hi Fi)

Top 10 Tips

• Netgear WGR614v6

• Why?– Cheap

– Available locally

• Not an endorsement!(also Belkin F5D7230-4)

Top 10 Tips

Log in to the wireless Access Point/Router

Top 10 Tips

1. Change the default SSID

Name (SSID): Enter a value of up to 32 alphanumeric characters. The same Name (SSID) must be assigned to all wireless devices in your network. The default SSID is NETGEAR, but NETGEAR strongly recommends that you change your network's Name (SSID) to a different value. This value is also case-sensitive. For example, NETGEAR is not the same as NETGEAr.

Top 10 Tips

1. Change the default SSID

Top 10 Tips

Top 10 Tips

2. Disable SSID Broadcast

(but it was unclear how!)

Wireless network name broadcast can be turned off so that only devices that have the

network name (SSID) can connect.

Top 10 Tips

2. Disable SSID Broadcast

Top 10 Tips

3. Use Encryption (WPA/WPA2)

Top 10 Tips

Key Sharing:

Top 10 Tips

But WEP and WPA-TKIP have been cracked…

• This Netgear only has WPA-TKIP (need newer model)

• The Belkin has WPA2

still OK for suburbs but not for city, apts, or rural (maybe).

Top 10 Tips

Top 10 Tips

4. Change the default administrator passwordFigure 3-2: Log in to the router

When prompted, enter admin for the router user name and password for the router password, both in lower case letters

Top 10 Tips

4. Change the default administrator password

Top 10 Tips

1. Change the default SSID

2. Disable SSID Broadcast

3. Use Encryption (WPA/WPA2)

4. Change the default administrator password

Defaults are Dangerous!

FEATURE DEFAULT FACTORY SETTINGS

Wireless Access Point Enabled

Wireless Access List (MAC Filtering)

All wireless stations allowed

SSID broadcast Enabled

SSID NETGEAR

Authentication Type Open System

WEP Disabled

Top 10 Tips

5. Use HTTPS (and enable “inside only” admin)

(Neither device has

https)

Top 10 Tips

6. Enable Firewall (and any other security features)

Top 10 Tips

7. Turn it off when not in use.• The safest computer is one that is off!

Top 10 Tips

8. Access Point placement (and lower the power)

(Belkin. Netgear does not provide range.)

•Typical indoor operating range for your wireless devices is between 100 and 200 feet.

•Depends on interference - typically 50–300 ft. indoors

Top 10 Tips

Top 10 Tips

Top 10 Tips

9. Patches/Updates• Not automatic• You need to check• Not frequent

The routing software of the WGR614 v6 router is stored in FLASH memory, and can be upgraded as new software is released by NETGEAR. Upgrade files can be downloaded from the NETGEAR Web site.

To upload new firmware:1. Download and unzip the new software file from

NETGEAR.2. In the Router Upgrade menu, click the Browse

button and browse to the location of the upgrade file

3. Click Upload.

9. Patches/Updates

Top 10 Tips

Top 10 Tips

10. NAT/Static IP Addresses/Disable DHCP(don’t disable DHCP if you are connecting your DHS laptop

to your home wireless)

(bonus!) Top 10 Tips

11. MAC address filtering

Top 10 Tips

1. Change the default SSID2. Disable SSID Broadcast3. Use Encryption (WPA2)4. Change the default administrator password5. Use HTTPS6. Enable Firewall/Security Features7. Turn it off when not in use.8. Access Point placement9. Patches/Updates10. Static IP Addresses/Disable DHCP11. MAC address filtering (bonus!)

Wireless at DHS

• DHS wireless networks have been assessed by Information Security and use most of the controls we’ve listed here (and some others)

• If you need wireless access, request form is at: InfoLink>Forms>Technology>Remote Access/Wireless Request Form(requires supervisor and director approval)

Wireless outside of DHS

• Home wireless is OK if you are authorized for remote access and wireless; otherwise:

– Business need– Use identified, named networks

And always:– Use a VPN to access DHS(when you connect to an “unknown” network, start your

VPN before doing anything else)

Wireless outside of DHS

For your own personally owned laptop:

• Turn on the Windows firewall

• Encrypt sensitive files

• Don’t type in credit card numbers, passwords, or similar info

• Turn off wireless if you’re not using it.

Discussion?