network secure?

[jtravnick]

ok first off let me say im sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this but not really sure what to do a goggle for on this one.

I have a friend that wants me to check his network to make sure his windows system is secure. So I was planning on taking my laptop over there use windows to make sure I can conect to his wireless router than I want to reboot to linux the laptop has FC6 on it. What Im looking for is there some kind of software I can use to realy test his network to make sure I can or can not get into his systems?

We are hoping that no mater what I do I can not break into windows. But if I can who knows I might even be able to convince him to make the switch.

Thanks
Jim

[jim]

Windows by default is wide open.

If you can crack his wireless then thats a security problem. Second If you get that far, in linux you can install and turn on samba to see if you can browse any shares he has. You would also be able to do this as well. Third, Does he have a software firewall? if not and he is concerned about security then he should at least turn on the windows firewall tho it sucks something fierce. he should get a better software firewall to protect his system.

[marcrblevins]

Was going to mention www.grc.com and use that Sheils Up test, but since this is wireless, WLAN, its always open per Jim.

If he is using Windows firewall, please use the freebie ZoneAlarm instead. Have no sharable folders on that Windows box, you can see that in Windows Explorer. Use hard passwords.

[jtravnick]

what it all boils down to is he wants to make sure his teen age son can not get into his system from his laptop. Personly I told him well if theres things you dont want him to see than dont have them on your system. Not what he wanted to hear so guess ill have to go over there and see if I can break into his system. Not that im very good at it.