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Re: [LUG] is your network secure?

 

A switch does not encrypt your traffic. It routes it differently. For
example, if a hub gets a packet of data from a source, it repeats
(transmits) this to all it's ports. So all the traffic going throug a
hub is sent to all computers linked to the hub. Also when 2 or more
computer try to send stuff at the same time, collisions happen and
some fancy bit of software has to deal with it. Anyhow, a switch works
in a completely different way. It's kinda like connecting multiple
computers with crossover cables and the box (switch) just connects
between connections. So if computer A sends a packet to computer B
then the switch connects those 2 and computer C can't simply listen to
their traffic. Switches do this magic using a table of each
destination address and port.

Hope this explains it a bit.
Jaan

On Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 12:13 PM, Paul Sutton <zleap@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On 28/10/10 10:55, Jaan Janesmae wrote:
>> Actually, with wpa and wep all your communication is crypted. I mean
>> It is much harder to listen to your traffic. On a open wifi box there
>> is none of that. Basically the same thing when using hubs instead on
>> switches for your local lan.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Jaan
>
>
> So this suggests that a switch also encrypts data on the network between
> computers attached to it
>
> or don't i understand something here?
>
> This is something that would be good to discuss at a lug meet,
>
> The ironic thing is when I first enquired at paignton library I
> mentioned things like talks on internet safety (which the above would
> come under) as one of the things we would like to do (as a public
> service sort of thing), it is the sort of thing they want to encourage.
>
> well encourage by forcing people to have computers pat tested,  then
> take out liability insurance,  and for that, we are not even going to
> charge the public for doing the talks.
>
> Paul
>
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