Wireless Networks and Security (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Community] >> Computer Software and Hardware issues



Message

traveler98 -> Wireless Networks and Security (11/24/2005 22:50:09)

Hey Gang and Happy Thanksgiving--

Just a reminder to ALWAYS make sure your wireless network security is on.

Had some people over today for the holiday festivities and football watching and was absolutely stunned when a guest turned on his notebook and was online immediately.

Turned out he was not on my network, my security is enabled and fine. Guest had turned his notebook on clicked find network and found 8 networks in my building and 4 were totally open.

I am amazed people still can be smart enough to setup a wireless network, and then can't remember to enable security.

Scott





BobbyDouglas -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/25/2005 0:33:44)

I love it... wireless and security being used in the same sentence [8D]

quote:

I am amazed people still can be smart enough to setup a wireless network, and then can't remember to enable security.

- Soon after you realize that, you find out that it takes 5 minutes to break in, and a total newbie can do it.

I already know quite a few people who are waiting outside of their local stores to get in on some hot deals, they just are using the open wireless networks to connect to the internet. If these companies who sell routers would just automatically configure these routers to use the WEP standard, there would be so much less people using connections their owners do not want to give access to.

I had a client come over a few months ago with his laptop. I mentioned that I was going to go and grab the cord so he could get online, but he said "Nah I just connected to the wireless network here." Of course at the time we did not have one, turns out my neighbors were very generous and had around 4 open wireless connections.



Reflect -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/25/2005 10:02:42)

Yeah, that's why I point people to LinkSys with the 'secure" button. It does the lockdown for them. Seems every SOHO vendor would get in on this "feature".

Take care,

Brian



traveler98 -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/25/2005 10:48:49)

Just checked again this morning and it seems now have 5 neighbors that are generous like Bobby's. Pretty sure I know who 2 of them are, can't decide if I should tell them about security and WEP or if it would embarrass them to much.




Spooky -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/25/2005 14:00:47)

Dont tell them, just leave an anonymous text file on their desktop explaining the issue ;-)



traveler98 -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/25/2005 14:06:50)

was thinking about something like that.........lol



Nick -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/27/2005 8:56:30)

Oh brother, I get to play the idiot again. I had a person come over and setup a wireless network for the family. It is working fine for the most part, although it sometimes has trouble connecting the computer in the basement.

I do notice that the name of the network is 'default' and that leads me to think that my wireless is not secure.

Please teach me how to secure my wireless network.

Thanks again,

Nick




Giomanach -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/27/2005 10:10:24)

In your Wireless networks settings, there will be a check box that says something like "Enable WEP" or "Enable WPA"....make sure its checked :)



BobbyDouglas -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/27/2005 13:53:11)

quote:

It is working fine for the most part, although it sometimes has trouble connecting the computer in the basement

- I hear this problem all the time. My Uncle paid someone quite a bit of money to setup their wireless network, and the connections drop like crazy depending where you are online at.

99% of the time it is the router which is causing the issue, assuming you can get online without the router (ie: directly connecting to the cable/dsl modem). There are a few better than other routers available that have the increased signal strength. If you don't mind tossing down $50-$100 on a new router, I'll go find the one I read the review on.



Nick -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/27/2005 16:06:12)

Giomanach, I can't find where the settings are... If I go into control panel the only thing I see is 'Wireless Network Setup Wizard'... Since I am already 'setup' I don't want to mess something up by activating the wizard do I? I do assume that I am to be setting up security on the computer with the router, right?

Bobby, I have a Trendnet 802.11g wireless firewall router. Have no idea if it is a good one or not.

Thanks to both of you,

Nick



BobbyDouglas -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/27/2005 17:37:37)

Is this the exact model?

http://www.trendnet.com/products/TEW-431BRP.htm



Nick -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/27/2005 18:23:26)

I am sorry Bobby, the exact model is:

TEW-452BRP



BobbyDouglas -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/27/2005 18:28:11)

How do I enable encryption on my TEW-452BRP?

Note: by adding this security, you will be required to enter a password whenever a wireless computer connects to the network.

If you don't want to do it yourself:

Phone Support
Telephone: 1 (888) 777-1550
7:30am - 6:00pm
Pacific Standard Time
Monday - Friday



Nick -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/27/2005 21:46:35)

Bobby,

What I did was to enable 'mac filtering'... Then put in the exact 'MAC' addresses into an 'allowed to access to network' table...

What do you think; secure, not-so secure, worthless?

Thanks again,

Nick (how 'bout our winter like weather today?!)



traveler98 -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/28/2005 1:00:10)

Nick--

Hope you get your security up okay. Noticed you have a 802.11g router...by any chance do you have a cordless phone near by when you lose connection? And if so is it a 5.8 ghz phone?

Have seen those two conflict with each other sometimes as they are working in the same frequency.



BobbyDouglas -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/28/2005 2:39:55)

quote:

What do you think; secure, not-so secure, worthless?

- The MAC address filtering is a lot more secure than nothing. But I would still add a wep protection just to be safe. Doubtful anyone is going to first break the password, and then find your mac address, and then spoof that.

Double check that the filtering is going to work, try connecting using another computer. I know with the router I have at home, there is only a way to ban mac addresses. This means there is no way for me to only allow a certain mac address.



Nick -> RE: Wireless Networks and Security (11/28/2005 8:51:48)

Traveler98, yes we have cordless phones nearby computers, but they are old 2.4ghz ones. I messed up the 'mac' address when first adding it to the allowed table and had to 'reset' router. Since then, we've had no trouble connecting. Why, I have no idea. Something I will remember though.

Bobby, with my router I have separate tables for both 'allowed' or 'banned' mac addresses. I will also look into your solution too! It's unreal to me what we have to do to secure our data these days.

I am sure thankful for this site! I hope this thread will help others like me who knew they weren't secure, but were clueless on how to get it done.

Nick



Page: [1]

Valid CSS!




Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI
0.046875