open wi-fi dangers

I'll probably get a little flamed for this but here goes:

I'm setting up a wireless network among two PCs and a Mac. I've heard that the extra data packets from WPA (or WEP) security will cause a significant drop in my bandwidth. My question is this. If I operate my network with no security, what's the worst that can happen? I live in an upper story apartment and am good friends with all my neighbors. I have enough bandwidth that I don't mind sharing a little now and again and don't keep anything too personal on these computers. I watch a lot of streaming video on one of the wireless computers so I don't want to deal with a loss there.

Let's hear your ideas on my sanity.

Thanks.

I'll probably get a little flamed for this but here goes:

I'm setting up a wireless network among two PCs and a Mac. I've heard that the extra data packets from WPA (or WEP) security will cause a significant drop in my bandwidth. My question is this. If I operate my network with no security, what's the worst that can happen? I live in an upper story apartment and am good friends with all my neighbors. I have enough bandwidth that I don't mind sharing a little now and again and don't keep anything too personal on these computers. I watch a lot of streaming video on one of the wireless computers so I don't want to deal with a loss there.

Let's hear your ideas on my sanity.

Thanks.

pohjie

someone will leech the c*&p out of your internet? trust me just put on the WEP protection

Sure, it's possible, but not probable given where I live. If it becomes a problem, can't i just WPA all my computers at that point?

I'm more interested in what sort of access/damage to my computers a digital assailant can get from an open wi-fi.

I'll probably get a little flamed for this but here goes:

I'm setting up a wireless network among two PCs and a Mac. I've heard that the extra data packets from WPA (or WEP) security will cause a significant drop in my bandwidth. My question is this. If I operate my network with no security, what's the worst that can happen? I live in an upper story apartment and am good friends with all my neighbors. I have enough bandwidth that I don't mind sharing a little now and again and don't keep anything too personal on these computers. I watch a lot of streaming video on one of the wireless computers so I don't want to deal with a loss there.

Let's hear your ideas on my sanity.

Thanks.

pohjie

I can't say I've seen or noticed any noteable difference with or without WEP security going on my wireless network. I've got my PC and my wife has her MacBook Pro (which she hardly uses and constantly uses my computer....which irritates me.....drop nearly 3 grand on a Mac she can use for her work and at home and she's hardly on it....).

Anyways, just because you know your neighbors or are good friends with them, doesn't mean you truely know them. Who knows what they do when no one else is around....

I'll probably get a little flamed for this but here goes:

I'm setting up a wireless network among two PCs and a Mac. I've heard that the extra data packets from WPA (or WEP) security will cause a significant drop in my bandwidth. My question is this. If I operate my network with no security, what's the worst that can happen? I live in an upper story apartment and am good friends with all my neighbors. I have enough bandwidth that I don't mind sharing a little now and again and don't keep anything too personal on these computers. I watch a lot of streaming video on one of the wireless computers so I don't want to deal with a loss there.

Let's hear your ideas on my sanity.

Thanks.

pohjie

so it's better to put security so only YOU can have all the bandwidth and keep your computer safe. and where did u hear that security can cause a significant drop in bandwidth? any credible source and was it proven? i'd like to know about that

Not trying to offen you pohjie, but set it up with WPA2. Forget MAC filtering (not secure, and be spoofed) and WEP sucks. Unless you are really good on PC and mac security (firewall config, disabeling relevant services etc) you are putting yourself in danger.

The drop of bandwidth is irrelevant for streaming video if your router is 54Mb (802.11g) or more.