Security on a commercial hotspot

[joaca]

Hey I would like to set up a commercial hotspot on basis of monthly subscription. I will obviously face security and accessibility issues. I thought MAC filtering would do but I have heard alot about spoofing. So what advice would you give me to restrict access to non subscribers.

[prashanthpai]

Just google and you'll find many tips like the below on how to make the network secure.

http://tech.yahoo.com/gd/blocking-unauthorized-users-to-your-wi-fi-devices/200459
http://www.ehow.com/how_2009138_secure-wireless-internet.html

BTW, here are some articles from Raymond related to the topic:
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2007/11/04/how-to-discover-hidden-wireless-network/
And beware of Net Stumbler.
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2007/01/09/hacking-knowledge-importance-of-spoofing-your-mac-address/
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2006/07/09/cracking-wep-in-10-minutes-video-demo/

And there are 3rd party software that help you secure your wireless hotspot.

[Raymond]

Normally for commercial hotspot, it doesn't have any WEP or WPA security. Anyone can connect to the hotspot but when they try to browse any website, they'll be presented with a webpage that ask to login.

[joaca]

Hey thanks for the links prashanthpai, picked a few tips that should get me started.

Hey Raymond, could you ellaborate a liiiiiiiiitle bit more please!
Thanx

[Raymond]

This article will give you more information.
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2008/06/02/create-a-wireless-internet-hotspot-at-home-in-10-minutes-for-free/