Nintendo DS and wireless security question

DBReed

I'm considering buying a DS, but I use WPA2 on my wireless network and I know the DS doesn't support that. The DSi is coming out in April, but I want to get a DS now and I've read that the DSi only supports WPA encryption for the new DSi titles, meaning all of the older DS games still wouldn't work on my wireless network. So a couple of questions:

1.) How bad would it be if I downgraded to WEP for my wireless network? I live on the 6th floor of an apartment building, so I've taken some security precautions (MAC filtering, no broadcasting SSID, etc.) I know WEP isn't secure, but how worried should I be about someone hacking into my network?

2.) Would it be worth it just to accommodate a DS? Would I be missing out on a lot of fun if I couldn't go online with it?

vonPoonBurGer

DBReed wrote: »

1.) How bad would it be if I downgraded to WEP for my wireless network? I live on the 6th floor of an apartment building, so I've taken some security precautions (MAC filtering, no broadcasting SSID, etc.) I know WEP isn't secure, but how worried should I be about someone hacking into my network?

Fairly worried. Not as in "everyone says you shouldn't do it so I will too", but as in "I downgraded my network to WEP on a lark one weekend and hacked it, and it really is easy".

DBReed wrote: »

2.) Would it be worth it just to accommodate a DS? Would I be missing out on a lot of fun if I couldn't go online with it?

I would say no. I've gotten a ton of use and enjoyment out of my DS but have never taken it online. It's not really core to the device.

Deathwing

1): I agree with vonPoonBurGer. I just looked at the access points visible from my router (in a condo building) - 10 showed up, 8 are using WEP, 2 have no security at all. If it's much the same in your building, it can't hurt to at least keep yourself a harder target than everyone else.

2): I've gotten plenty of use out of my DS with no use of the net access - every once in a while i'll get an urge to play Tetris or Pokemon online and switch it for a little bit, but never permanently. Even more true if you have a Wii.

Willeth

If you're one of two people trying to outrun a bear, you don't need to run faster than the bear - just faster than the other guy.

What kind of environment are you in? How likely is it that a neighbour would want to use your signal? Are there any open points near you?

If there's an open point, then you're safer with WEP than you would be being the only WEP when everyone else is on WPA. And a lot of this 'oh noes WEP is cracked so easily' stuff is alarmist, anyway.

Sure, there's no reason not to go for the highest security available to you, but if you find yourself playing online with your DS a lot, WEP is not going to destroy your life.

DBReed

There are a lot of APs in this building. Seems to be a mixture of mostly WEP and WPA, with only a few that aren't protected at all. It's a nice place, with some students around, but mostly families and older folks. I don't think anyone who can afford to live here doesn't have an internet connection.

I suppose I could just switch over to WEP when I want to take the DS online. I was just wondering if there's a real likelihood of someone wanting to get into my network.

Willeth

I'm going to say no, there isn't.

Anyone who wants to jump in on anyone's network is going to use the unsecured ones, and not bother with yours.

Feral

One alternative is to buy a cheap wireless access point or router, set it up for WEP and cafe' mode, and turn it on only when using the DS.

Red_Cascade

I had a similar issue when I got my DS and I did decide to move over to WEP. As extra security though I did configure MAC address filtering, so this is something that you may want to set up if your router supports it . That way even if somone does get onto your signal, they can't use the network. (Obviously tho, make sure you add the MAC address of your Laptop / Desktop before you turn it on so that you can still access the router to add your DS / Other PC / Console MAC addresses)

PeregrineFalcon

Willeth wrote: »

And a lot of this 'oh noes WEP is cracked so easily' stuff is alarmist, anyway.

A WEP-protected router survives two minutes, max - and that's with a random key. It's not alarmist, it's honest. However, you're spot on with the bear analogy. If I'm just cruising for a free signal, I'll take the open one. (Edit - MAC filtering is also useless, because as I'm stealing packets to break your key I'm also collecting MAC addresses of legit clients.)

But if it's slow, spotty, or drops off the radar - or if I'm a resident of the building and wanting to have more than one option - I'm going to move up the chain, and WEP is about as much protection as using a bit of tissue paper for a condom.

I personally use Feral's solution of "second router on a switch" and only use that to play DS when I really, really want to go online. Most times my DS multiplayer is ad-hoc anyhow. :P

Unknown

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Willeth

But the likelihood of someone want to break into his network is remote as hell.

If you're really that concerned, Nintendo sell a USB dongle that will only connect to the DS and Wii.