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Nintendo DS and WEP...wtf
colawars
Pittsburgh, PARegistered User regular
Pittsburgh, PARegistered User regular
I have a wireless network set up that uses a more advanced security setting than what Nintendo deemed compatible with the DS. It's a pretty common Belkin wireless router, and the roommates don't want to lower the security settings. Is there a way to get my router (or any router) to run in both security modes? I've tried enabling guest access, but it's still WPA. Isn't this one of the bigger complaints about the DS being online? How unsafe would I be running on WEP vs. WPA?
3DS: 1049-1266-2726
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edit: oh, don't run both routers on the same wireless frequency.
If you're really paranoid about it (or rather your roommates), pick up a small USB wireless access point which will just use Windows ICS to get you online. The range on them is so short that somebody would have to break into your house to use it, at which point I think the argument becomes moot.
zane's point about security is fair, perhaps you should lock the second router to the DS's MAC address as well as using WEP, and just unplug the cable to the second router when you're not using the DS. It's unlikely someone will go through the trouble of spoofing a MAC address and stealing a key just for intermittent access and you'll know someone's trying to do it if it happens as you'll get a conflict.
MAC address filtering is also a near-worthless "security" technique. Anyone who wants on your network can easily monitor your wireless traffic, see the MAC address, and then configure their network adapter to spoof that address. It's really only going to be useful for situations where someone is unfamiliar with such matters (which is admittedly most people) or in a situation where there's a wide open network nearby to tempt the intruder away.
If I were you I'd just get one of those USB dongles Nintendo offers that allow DS' (and Wiis?) to get online for people who don't already have a wireless network set up. That way it's easy to enable/disabled (just plug in the dongle when needed) and ought to be a bit easier to get set up than a full blown router. I can't say for sure about that, though, as I've never used one.
If you're set on getting another router, if you want to do things right you really need two more (so three total). One router connects directly to the Internet. Another router (presumably your current one) maintains secure settings (WPA and whatever else you guys've set). The third router will be just for the DS and will use WEP. Feel free to use MAC address filtering if you want just realize it won't stop anyone if they really want on there. Both of these last two routers connect to the first, forming a Y shape. This will keep your "trusted" systems (what's on the WPA router) segregated enough from the WEP router that anyone who does happen to find their way on there won't be able to do anything dangerous to your computers. This is probably the best solution, but it's more work and is more expensive. You'd probably be happier with the Nintendo USB dongle, really.
I'm pretty sure it's not in the situation I described. Spoof = conflict, no spoof = no conflict = no intruder.
Also, I think that what Zane meant is that someone who cracked the WEP would have effectively bypassed the WPA security.
The Nintendo USB wi-fi dongle is discontinued. Routers can be had new for 10$.
I vote for my plan, which will henceforth be called...
PLAN DELTA HAWK GOLD
I considered doing MAC address filtering as well but that got too fucking complicated.
Switch: 6200-8149-0919 / Wii U: maximumzero / 3DS: 0860-3352-3335 / eBay Shop
But I live in a extremely Rural area. There's only about two houses in range of the Wi-Fi signal anyway.
And my neighbors are essentially country bumpkins.
Switch: 6200-8149-0919 / Wii U: maximumzero / 3DS: 0860-3352-3335 / eBay Shop
Yeah that's what I was hitting at, pretty much. Having two routers, one with WEP and one with WPA is sort of pointless, because then you only have to break the WEP to be on the network, completely defeating the purpose of the WPA.
You could always set up a different subnetwork with the WEP router that wasn't bridged to the other network. Any devices on one network wouldn't see any of the other devices on the other network. This would probably take a little more time than you're willing to invest.
Also, if you find a Nintendo USB dongle, keep in mind that homebrew can't connect to it, but one of those cheapo USB access points will work for both homebrew and official carts.
http://wiki.pocketheaven.com/Ralink_Soft_AP has all the information I needed to do that. You will need a WIFI card with a specific Ralink RT2500 chip, but they are very common.
Paranoia has never served me wrong!
I figure if I have a neighbor that wants to go through the trouble of finding my SSID AND crack the WEP, be my guest and use my wireless.
I doubt anyone would go through the hassle.
Switch: 6200-8149-0919 / Wii U: maximumzero / 3DS: 0860-3352-3335 / eBay Shop