RE: Wireless LAN detection

["Jimmy Sansi" <jsansi () ritzfoodservice com>]

A laptop with an 802.11b nic card and some software is one
way of tracking down rogue wireless access points(assuming
of course they are using 802.11b). It would also be really
helpfull to have a current wiring diagram, so you can trace
your laptops MAC through certain network segments, switches, etc.

The access points are most likely going to be left on all
the time so you probably wouldn't need to setup any
notification from the laptop.

-Jimmy

-----Original Message-----
From: Boschmann, Armin [mailto:aboschmann () hydro mb ca]
Sent: Friday, December 06, 2002 2:57 PM
To: 'security-basics () lists securityfocus com'
Subject: Wireless LAN detection


We have a policy of no-wireless at our sites.  I want to audit this policy,
similar to war-dialing, or more correctly war-driving.

My thinking is to find illegal wireless equipment in realtime.  My concern
is insiders (temporary employees, contractors, 'bad' employees) plugging in
a wireless access point, then accessing our network from the street, then
disconnecting.  So I am envisioning a computer with a wireless receiver that
will look for TCP/IP traffic, and tell me if it detects communications to
any of our computers.

I can see several problems, such as distinguishing between our 192.168.x.x
addresses and those on WLANs of our neighbors.  Also I would have to harden
the wireless detection computer, and ideally not connect it to our network
at all yet have some means of notifying me (pager, cell modem).

Does anyone know of a product that does this?  Or if you think my approach
is suspect, suggest another one?


Armin Boschmann
aboschmann () hydro mb ca
Manitoba Hydro