Security in Network Preferences

I noticed that I don't Automatically connect to my home wireless via the new AEBS. I'm using WEP Security.
Here is the interesting point....
From System Preferences - Network - Airport - Preferred Networks,
my home network shows either None (security) or WPA2 Personal (security). Again, I'm actually using WEP. And, I'm connected and working on the internet.

Try this.
Turn Airport off either by select the option in the Airport menu or by launching Internet Connect app and clicking on the button 'Turn AirPort Off.'
Launch Keychain Access and delete the keychain for the Airport Network, not the one with the base station name.
In System Preferences delete the AirPort network from the Preferred networks list. Also, delete any un-needed or unknown networks.
This should have deleted all references to the Airport network and any items that would have stored the password and the type of security used to access the wireless network.
Now, launch Internet Connect app and turn Airport on. Select your wireless network from the 'Network' pop-up menu. The 'Wireless Security' pop-up menu should have properly detected the security type. Enter your password in the 'Password' field and add a check to 'Remember password in keychain'. Click 'OK'.
Now check Preferred networks in System Preferences and see if the proper security type is indicated. You should also be able to automatically connect to the wireless network.
Also make sure that your wireless network is at the top of the Preferred networks list if more than one network is listed.

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Cannot open network preferences, security, or downloads; blue screen appears

I have recently discovered that I cannot open my network preferences, security, or downloads folder. I do not know what else I am unable to open. For these three, I click upon them and instantly a blue screen appears, quickly followed by my desktop with all programs (except Finder) shut down, as if I was just logging on. The MacBook Pro is not yet a year old. I have recently downloaded the Amazon Cloud and was wondering if this could be causing the spastic behavior. My boyfriend seems to think that it is a corrupt file. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem? Thank you.

Linc Davis wrote:
By the way, repairing permissions is a complete waste of time. All it does is spew bogus error messages. It never fixes anything unless you have a specific indication of a permission problem, which is rare.
The only truths in your statement is the bolded sentence. Everything else is false.

Security Update 2006-001 Killed network preferences

After upgrading with the 2006-001 Security Update, none of my network preferences will set up correctly anymore. DHCP doesn't seem to be doing anything, and when I tell it to use a manual address via the system preferences, it appears that it's not actually doing anything. Mac OS System Preferences will not even detect that I have an ethernet cable plugged in, though if I use ifconfig and route I can get a LITTLE bit of traffic to go out, so I know it's connected and working.
Any one have any ideas on this? Absolutely frustrating because I can no longer work until this is fixed (sitting in an internet cafe trying to figure out what the problem is). I'm running 10.3.9 on a 1.2Ghz 12" Powerbook. I don't remember my Unix days well enough to try to manually set up routes and our DNS settings, nor do I know if the appropriate tools are in Mac OS, but the Apple network preferences are clearly busted.
Is there anyway to uninstall an update?
Patrick
12" 1.2 Ghz PB Mac OS X (10.3.9)

I had the same Network & Airport issue after installing Security Update 2006-001 on my wife's iBook G3 running 10.3.9 Trying to access our Airport base station wirelessly would inevitably hang as I selected the Airport network.
I noticed that every time I shut down the computer there was a brief showing of the keychain window asking to allow keychain access...this right as the computer went down (no chance to hit the allow button).
Spent the better part of an entire afternoon trying to fix this problem. Then read all the posts here (amazing how many people have problems with this update). Tried to reset permissions - didn't work. In the end, I rebooted the Airport...went into the Airport Admin Utility with my PowerBook to fiddle around...removed our Airport network from the keychain in my wife's iBook...explored other aspects via the keychain access utility.
None of that seemed to work. I also figure I reset the permissions about half a dozen times (with subsequent reboot). None of that was working either...until after one permissions reset & reboot things came good. I got the keychain window, allowed access, and hey presto...online. So far it's been OK for over 12 hours (including after reboot).
What exactly worked? I don't know. "It's a mystery".
One thing's for sure...this update is not going on any of my other machines!
Come on Apple...surely you can do better than send us automatic updates that break our computers and sap our time!
iBook Mac OS X (10.3.9)

I receive a not connected to the internet message several times daily on my iMac connected via airport to a time capsule which accesses the internet via cable modem.. When I input my password to enter network preferences, the connection re-establishes.

I receive a "not connected to the internet message" several times daily on my iMac connected via airport to a time capsule which accesses the internet via a cable modem. Software/firmware is up to date on the iMac (OSX 10.6.8) and Tme Capsule(7.5.2). Browser is Safari 5.1.
When I input my password at the prompt to enter network preferences, all the lights go green (ie... ethernet, ISP etc.) and the connection re-establishes immediately and states "the connection appears to be working normally".
It more of a nuisance than anything and seems to have started ocurring over the past couple of months. I also have a windows XP box also connected to the same cable modem that I never have internet connectivity issues with. I've verified all the physical aspects of the connections and can't see any evidence of any actual drops in the modem logs. I suspect it is just an intermittent communication loss between the Imac and the Time Capsule, but I am not very familiar with Mac equipment yet.
Just wondering if anyone has experienced a similar problem and what you did (if anything) to resolve it?
Thanks.

The AirPort Express will connect to your existing wireless network if the network is using WPA2 Personal or WPA/WPA2 Personal wireless security settings.
So, it can join the network as a client and then provide an Ethernet signal to your Time Capsule.
Be sure to configure the Time Capsule to operate in Bridge Mode so that it will be operating on the same network.

Built-In Ethernet Port Doesn't Show Up In The Network Preference Pane

My ethernet port no longer shows up in the Network preferences pane under Network Status. The status Airport and the Internal Modem are still displayed though. Plugging in an ethernet cable causes my machine to crash; sometimes I get a message that I need to hold down the power button to reboot, and other times command line-like text is displayed on top of whatever was on screen.
The only change I've made to my system since last using a wired connection was installing Security Update 2006-001 on March 1st and OS X Update 10.4.5 on February 14th. After running the 10.4.5 updater, my machine initially refused to reboot. On the first attempt, it played the start up chime, but the screen remained black. The second time, the Apple logo appeared, but the spinning pinwheel never did. The third attempt was successful and my system appeared to be functioning normally.
How do I get my ethernet port to work again?

Does "Built-in Ethernet" show up as a choice in the 'Show:" popup? If so, is it configured as you would expect? For instance, if "TCP/IP" is set to use DHCP, do you have an IP address, subnet mask, etc.? There is an "off" setting for TCP/IP; make sure that hasn't been selected somehow.
There is also an "Assist Me" button that will let you launch the diagnostics app. Does this also crash the Mac? If not, what are the results of its tests?
Also, you may want to do a permissions repair with Disk Utility if you haven't done this since applying the updates.
If you still get crashes, there may be a conflict with a log-in item, particularly if you have any third party ones. (Check that in the "Accounts" pref.) One way to diagnose things like that is by creating a new test account & logging into it. If the problems go away, you can assume a user cache, .plist, or login item is the problem.
If none of this turns up anything, you may need to reinstall the OS. Short of that, you can try downloading the 10.4.5 combo update & running it. It replaces more components than the "delta" update so it just might do the trick. Besides, if you end up having to reinstall the OS, having the combo version handy will save you the time of downloading & installing any incremental updates to get back to 10.4.5.
As always, backup all important files before applying any updates.
Good luck!

Network Preferences keep changing

Hello All
Every time I start up my old G3 iMac (OS 10.2), the network preferences change from "USB Modem" to "Internal Modem", this is despite the preferences being locked. Also, when I try to change back, the USB Modem isn't even listed. It usually reappears as an unchecked item in the list with a further restart.
Can anyone help?
Cheers

You may have to see if doing the basic stuff helps; since a
first thing could be to 'repair disk permissions' in the system
using Disk Utility's first aid. Could be a minor thing and not
something more difficult. I often boot into SafeBoot and then
repair disk permissions, then exit disk utility, and restart.
If the actual system is somehow corrupted - after trying repairs
of permissions - then later, maybe try to boot from the Installer disc
& use the Disk Utility there, different than the system's own) to
'repair disk' and 'repair disk permissions.' That version of D.U.
is hiding in a drop-down menu found in the menu options under
the Installer name, after startup from the system disc media.
Do not run the Installer itself, since that's not where D.U. is.
And, if repairing permissions and other stuff doesn't seem to help
and resetting PRAM/NVRAM doesn't, you may have to consider
using the Installer and have run an 'Archive & Install' and set it to
save user settings from the old system into a new one. Then, you
would have a new system folder & a non-functioning previous one.
This may require more work to get it back to where you had it; &
it would need to be upgraded again with the 10.2.8 Combo file plus
any security or other updates applied, too.
Good luck & happy computing!
edited.

Network Preferences Madness

Hello,
Whenever I go to “Network” in “System Preferences,” a window appears telling me the status of Built-in ethernet and Airport, followed immediately by an overlay window saying, “Your network settings have been changed by another application,” with an accompanying “OK” button. If I click the “OK” button, the window disappears, but then immediately reappears, over and over again. I can not get it to go away nor can I quit “System Preferences” unless I use “Force Quit.”
If I log out and log in again as a new account, all is well with “Network.” No problems.
I am using an Intel iMac with OS 10.4.11. The problem is constant whether or not I am connected to my cable modem or router.
What could be causing this problem? Malware?
How can I correct it? I fear that if I trash a network preferences file I will never get back on line.
Thank you for your help.

Hello zyven12, and a warm welcome to the forums!
It was one of the last two Security Updates.
To stop the pop-up, Go to System Preferences: Security. Check the box next to "Require password to unlock each secure system preference." Then lock Security.
Try this cure for Security update...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1730909&tstart=0
The locations are actually...
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/NetworkInterfaces.plist
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.nat.plist

I see another unsecured wifi network on my list. As I have recently changed routers etc. I just want to make sure it's not attached to me. It has a different IP address than the secured wifi network I have now set up.

I see another unsecured wifi network (D Link) on my list. As I have recently replaced an old modem router (D link) with a new fancy one (wireless gateway), I am wondering if this is somehow still attached to my computer. The D link wifi unsecured network has a different IP address than my newly formed secure wifi network's IP address.
Also - if I turn my wifi off (regardless of if I am on the dlink or my new secured wifi) I can still watch netflix etc. on my tv from living room which tells me the the wifi is still on. Why is this so?
Does my Mac have two IP addresses or is that D link someone elses?
THank you to anyone who can straighten me out on this as I am confused.

Thanks Tony,
Believe it or not, I had already done that - that is why I was confused as I kept seeing it in the wireless networks that I was seeing even though I had deleted it in my advanced Network of Systems Preferences. I thought if it were mine it would go away, but alas it didn't. Anyway, all is well and I can now relax that everything is secure thanks all to you.
Cheers

Networking preferences pop-down box

When opening networking preferences I get a pop-down box saying that your networking preferences have been changed by another application. I click the OK box ( there is no other choice, although I have no idea whether this is ok or not) The pop down keeps recurring until I force quit.
Is this a potentially serious issue, the networking preferences being changed, and how can I get around the repeated pop down box, I cannot otherwise use network prefs. ... Many thanks for any help

To stop the pop-up, Go to System Preferences: Security. Check the box next to "Require password to unlock each secure system preference." Then lock Security.
Try this cure for Security update...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1730909&tstart=0
The locations are actually...
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/NetworkInterfaces.plist
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.nat.plist

Network Preferences disappeared in 10.5.8

I just randomly went to check my Network Preferences to restart my wireless internet connection- and it's not there.
I'm running OS X Version 10.5.8 and I'm not experiencing any other problems.
Under System Preferences > Internet & Network, I have the following options:
Mobile Me
QuickTime
Sharing
There used to be a Network option, but now it's not there.
Any ideas?
Even when I try to access it through the wireless internet icon in the top menu bar, nothing happens.
Very confused!
Thanks in advanced

In Safari Preferences/Security, try turning off 'Warn when visiting a fraudulent website'.
then restart Safari. Any better?
If doing so improved the situation, this confirms that one of Safari's database files has become corrupt and is causing the crashing, and this shows up in your crash log as Thread 3 having crashed.
The blacklists from Google’s Safe Browsing Initiative (where Safari checks for 'fraudulent websites') are contained in a database cache file called SafeBrowsing.db - the file was created when you first launched Safari, and if you have the browser open, the file is modified approximately every 30 minutes.
In other words it is part of Safari's (version 3.2 onwards) anti-phishing security feature.
As an alternative to turning off 'Warn when visiting a fraudulent website', which will lose you that important security feature, you should delete that database file, (but first close Safari):
In Tiger:
Home/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari (this is a folder)/SafeBrowsing.db
In Leopard*:
Private/Var/Folders/AF/AFONO9KnGpijQuAcxb6vf++++TI/Caches/com.apple.safari/Safari/SafeBrowsing.db
In Snow Leopard*:
Private/Var/folders/iI/iIaUOKJyFS0xmSIANVYiD++++TI/-Caches-/com.apple.Safari/SafeBrowsing.d b
(*This location may vary depending on your OS. Also, the name of that weird sounding folder will be unique to each user.)
You can get to the Private/Var folder by using Go To in the Finder menu.
It will be recreated next time you open Safari, and will then start again collecting details of dodgy websites.
If you are interested:
How the Anti-Phishing feature of Safari 3 onwards works:
http://www.macworld.com/article/137094/2008/11/safari_safe_browsing.html

Network Preferences

I have two iBook G4s both with OS 10.4.1. I'm having trouble getting one unit to auto link to my home network. What's strange is that networking preference selections under this unit are different than my other iBook that has the same OS.
Under Network Preferences, the unit that auto connects reads as follows:
By default, join: A Specific Network
I choose our network and everything works fine. Every time I turn Airport on, it auto links to my network. The other iBook reads as follows: By default, join: Preferred Networks. I must go in and select our network every time as my neighbors also are listed.
Besides the frustration of not working properly, my question is, How can both systems have a different interface when they are using the same OS. Can anyone help?

OS X has a multitude of different networking options, so obviously one has differed from the other, however both are capable of the same network settings.
Alright currently Im running OS X 10.4.10 but as far as I can remember the System Preferences haven't changed, but if this doesn't make since it would be for that reason.
In System Preferences>Network look for the second tab from the top called "Show" and your going to want to select Airport from the drop down menu.
Now in the Airport Tab look for the drop down list called "By default, join:" and just select automatic.
That tells Airport to go ahead and connect the a network that it finds that you have previously had a successful connection with, automatically.
On another note, I would highly recommend updating your computers, as there are important security updates available.

Securing a network

I am running a D-Link wireless router for my ibook and I want to secure my network so my neighbors can't pick up on my internet connection. Can I set a password for my network on my ibook so they won't be able to access, or do I have to set a password on the router. Not sure how to go about it or what I need to do.

Here is how to join your network.
Make sure you are hard-wired to the router before you start and turn Airport off. Logon onto your router and click the 'Wireless' button and change your setting to what I have listed below.
Wireless Radio : Enabled
SSID : YOUR PREFERENCE
Channel : 1-10 it's YOUR PREFERENCE
SSID Broadcast : Enabled (disable when you have your network running smoothly)
Security : WEP
Authentication : Open System
WEP Encryption : 128-bit
Key Type : HEX
Key1 : HERE YOU HAVE 26 DIGITS. YOU ARE GOING TO REPLACE EACH ONE USING ANY LETTER A-F AND ANY NUMBER 0-9. WRITE DOWN THE CHARACTERS YOU USE AS THIS WILL BE YOUR KEY TO LOGON TO YOUR NETWORK.
CLICK 'APPLY'
* Your router should now tell you that it is applying the settings.
* When that is done you can now disconnect your ethernet cable and turn Airport on.
* Click on the Airport icon and you should see your SSID. Select it.
* You should see a dialouge box with 'WEP 40/128-bit hex' (if not select it from the drop down menu within).
* Under 'Password' enter your KEY you wrote down earlier. You should now be connected.
Once you get it running you should backup your router settings to you hard drive. This way if the power goes out you can restore your settings using the backup you created. You can do this through your router under 'Tools/Systems'.
I hope this helps.

Can't lock network preferences

I recently upgraded my MBP (A1398) to yosemite. Somehow, the padlock that is normally present at the bottom of the network preferences pane is missing. Any thoughts on how to reenable the padlock? I would like to enter the admin password to make any changes.
I have ControlPlane installed for automatic proxy switching - could this be the cause?

In the Security & Privacy preference pane, unlock the settings, then click the Advanced button and check the box marked
Require administrator password for access to locked settings

Network preferences unlocking itself

After logging in, I'm finding that the Network preference pane has unlocked itself. This is repeatable.
I'm having other odd network issues, and want to keep things locked down as much as possible.
Any ideas? Thanks.

After logging in, I'm finding that the Network preference pane has unlocked itself. This is repeatable.
Why does it matter? I've always found those locks annoying and useless. It's not real security, if that's what you're expecting it to be. If you want to be sure other people aren't messing with your settings, don't let them use an admin account on your machine. Let them use a guest account or give them a standard account.
I'm having other odd network issues, and want to keep things locked down as much as possible.
Locking that lock won't solve network issues... what are those issues? Post details and someone can help.

Standard Account must authenticate to modify network preferences?

Hi All. I must be missing obvious in the Network Preferences, but I noticed that a standard account needs an administrative pw to change (edit) or create new Locations? I tried setting up an account using parental controls to (hopefully) enable access to Network preferences. does any one have a work-around perhaps? Thanks, J Langlois

I understand it will remember these, but that wouldn't change the fact that the office settings are probably still completely different to what was required for out of the office.
Saying that, you can however have different settings for the wireless and the ethernet port, within one location, which is one way around it. I don't like this feature, as it means the user can be connected to your secure network at the same time as being connected to a completely open wireless network, be it approved or otherwise.
I do still stand by my comment though (my example wasn't the greatest). If your user was using either both wired or wireless at home and at work, then you would need to change the location as they may require different dns's etc.
Otherwise, what is the point in locations?
Ideally, the locations would work such that the user can change the location, but the admin would have the options to choose which ports were active for any one location, meaning you could prevent them from using wireless and wired at the same time.
All of this is kind of there. The admin can set the ports limited by location, but then the user can't change the location, or you allow multiple ports in one location compromising your security, in the hope that your user will always remember to turn off the airport when connected at the office.
So, back to my original email, am I missing something?

Security in Network Preferences

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