ICS via wireless, is it possible?

Hi.

I noticed my adaptor for wireless on this computer has a tab for sharing and then an option to tick that says "allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection"

So what I want to do is the following:

My desktop PC is connected to the internet via wired lan, it has a wireless adaptor on, I am wondering if I can share the connection from the desktop to my laptop, so I can share files and the internet from my desktop to my laptop.

Is this possible? I looked at creating an ad-hoc network, hopefully it's not the same thing as I notice this is pretty bad in terms of security. So would doing it this way work and could it be secure?


Thanks
Will.

 

How does your laptop connect to the internet now? Do you have a wireless router, or not?

 

Wireless router, but when I go to college, it'll be desktop that connects via wired lan, laptop needs to go through desktop, I can do it via ICS on wired lan but I don't want the inconvinience of the wire, so want to use wireless.

I cannot use a wireless router as wireless is banned in halls of residence and only one pc at a time can connect to the internet, but with ICS I can get around that.

 

Yes. Select ""allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection" against the wired LAN on the desktop and under "Connect to Use", select the Wireless connection. You'll need to create an ad-hoc wireless connection (SSID/Passwd) between the desktop and notebook.

 

Will it be secure? Am I able to make it so no one else can detect it?

 

ICS only has a WEP option. WEP is crackable, but intruder would need to be within close proximity of your connection.

 

Don't do anything you want to keep private/secure on wireless; that's really the best policy. Keep a wire for doing the really sensitive stuff, or else do it on the desktop.

 

It's relatively secure from noobs and beginners.

 

Yes, you can make it hidden, to where someone would have to know the SSID of the network to connect to it. I'm not sure how to do that on an Ad-Hoc connection though. Most devices that aren't laptops, can't see ad-hoc networks anyway, like PS3 or most cell phones.

 

I don't recommend making the SSID hidden. It only gives you headaches at the cost of no gain in security.

 

I want it hidden because if some Hornet rep from Manchester Uni comes round to the office and does some inspections he'll detect it, I'll get a 56 day ban and a 50 quid reconnection fee :\, Uni internet is so damn restrictive :\

This is why I have to be careful setting this wireless link up between my desktop and laptop, as it has to be as secure as possible and so no one can really see it.

 

Well, if an IT guy is coming around to look for unauthorized wireless networks, even masking the SSID won't do.

All network scanners will detect a wireless network whether the SSID is broadcasted or not. The SSID broadcasted is actually a separate "channel". But the network itself will still show up.

Your best bet is to talk to your IT staff rather than trying to circumvent their policies.

 

Is it actually classed as a wireless network just linking my desktop to my laptop for ICS and so I can sync college work and stuff? I'm taking a cable so I can always use that but wireless would be so much better.

 

Technically, it is a wireless network.

 

What a ridiculous rule. My campus has cisco aironet 1300's hidden in like every nook and cranny.

 

It is because your IT staff installed them.

In his case, his wireless network would be an unauthorized access point and a potential security breach. This is the kind of activity that gives IT staff headaches.

Keep in mind some of the largest electronic thefts have been through wireless network breaches.

 

What rule is ridiculous? Not wanting unauthorized broadcast points being added to your network? Sysops and sysadmins are kinda jealous that way, at least, the ones that want to keep their jobs are.

 

Eh, good points...

 

On a broader note, it annoys me when people give me confused and annoyed looks when we refuse to bend IT policies.

There is a reason we are paid to do this and you are paid to, well, type.

 

I wish I could get paid to type - I'd be a gazillionaire by now!