RE: Free Public WiFi Attempt At Social Engineering?

["jesse-rink () wi rr com" <jesse-rink () wi rr com>]

IIRC, and I could be wrong, I think this is a standard broadcast Windows Xp
clients make with wireless cards that are setup for ad-hoc
computer-to-computer networks.  Chances are, the user who is broadcasting
this isn't even aware of it.

JR

Original Message:
-----------------
From:  absolutezero273c () gmail com
Date: 21 Jan 2008 15:33:10 -0000
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Free Public WiFi Attempt At Social Engineering?



Off and on through out the year, and multiple times a month, there is a
wireless access point/network that shows up on my windows machines.


According to my "Wireless Network Connection" window it indicates it is a
computer to computer network with the name of Free Public WiFi with full
signal strength.


Now based on the proximity of other buildings in our complex it would be
rather difficult to obtain a "full strength" signal from another business
or neighbor.  


I'd like to find out what type of network this is , where it is located and
who it belongs to, and consider it a security threat as I'm concerned that
an employee might find it "convenient" to use and would open our network up
to whoever is providing the Free Public WiFi.


Should I be concerned that this is an attempt at social engineering a way
into my network?


I've thought about configuring a linux laptop to gather information about
this wireless connection, without divulging information about my windows
network, but am not sure what tools I would need or how to go about it or
what to look for.


I've found some tools, like net stumbler or chanalyzer but really don't
know what I'm looking for.


Am I overly paranoid or do I need to be concerned?

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