I was just going to the stationary cupboard when one of our techies walked passed me with a netgear wireless AP. I didn't think anything of it for 5 mins But we don't allow any wireless kit at all so I'm going to find out what's going on.

It made me think though. How long does it take to break wireless security in the real world?
Here I would guess I would be able to pick up the signal from my office so I wouldn't need to sit outside in a car.

How long would I need to gather the required number of packets to breakt he encryption?

I know this would depend on what type of security they were using (if any) and the length of the pass phrases, performance of my machine etc.

I just wondered if anyone had ball park times for doing this in the real world?