Linux Distributions Storing Wi-Fi Passwords In Plain Text

Bill Dimm writes "An article on Softpedia claims that Linux distributions using NetworkManager are storing Wi-Fi passwords in plain text in /etc by default. The article recommends encrypting the full disk or removing NetworkManager and using a different tool like netctl. Some of the article comments claim the article is FUD. Is this a real problem?"

NSA DID IT!

[CajunArson]

Must have been the NSA! I should have known that commit from [e-mail] was suspicious.

Re:FUD

[sideslash]

It's anti-Linux [...] -Stallman fan

Fraudster! You didn't put GNU/Linux.

Re:KNetworkManager

[MacDork]

It won't matter what you use if you let anyone on your network with an android [gizmodo.com] phone. Oh hai, let's back up everything to teh googles.

Re:My password is printed on the side of my router

[PNutts]

Why do you have two APs? WiFi penetrates to adjacent floors on a typical residential home with no trouble. I have a 3-story (including the basement) house with my AP on the middle floor, and I have no connectivity problems at all. The problem with WiFi is line-of-sight distance; if your house is a giant 6000sf McMansion and is really spread out, you could have a problem, but as long as you're not far away from the AP it should be fine.

Sorry, you brought theory to a practical fight.

Re:FUD, I am a fraid

[bluefoxlucid]

Your argument is that the password should be rot13 or base64 encoded.

Nope. I'm OK.

[PPH]

No passwords stored as plaintext on my system's disk. Only on the yellow post-it stuck to the display.

Re:My password is printed on the side of my router

[Culture20]

(class B house)

Well there's your problem. You should be living in a class M environment.