Wireless networks?

[Speed Figure]

I setup my wireless network, but how do I make it a security enabled network. This way only I can use it, not everyone around me.

[JustRalph]

what kind of router?

[Speed Figure]

It's a D-Link G 54.

[JustRalph]

speed, from what I can tell, the G54 is a wireless pci adaptor card??

the wireless router,,,,,,,what kind is it? you must setup the security encryption on the router you are loggin into.......fill me in.

if you don't have a router and are using the G54 to log into public networks (local coffee shops etc) then you need to make sure that file sharing is turned off, or you are running some firewall software.

if you are talking about a local network at home (wireless) fill me in on the type of router.........

[Speed Figure]

It's a wireless g router from d-link. I use it at home. When I setup the network, I didn't know how to do it.

[DJofSD]

Here's a start: LinkSys tutorial (http://www.linksys.com/edu/page10.asp)

I use D-Link myself but the link above will give you a good starting point.

DJofSD

[Speed Figure]

I setup the network and it's working great. Now I want to make it saft so that only I can use it. I don't know how to get to the SSID. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, How do I change the default SSID to my own network name?

[PaceAdvantage]

Changing the SSID won't make you safe. First, you have to make sure you aren't broadcasting the SSID. Then you should turn on MAC address filtering, as well as whatever security protocols the router utilizes...most likely WEP or WPA, plus make sure the router firewall is active (should be by default).

[Speed Figure]

I'm trying to make my network have a password. How can I tell I'm broadcasting the SSID?

[PaceAdvantage]

All these options should be available in whatever setup screen your router uses.

I guess you could find out if you are broadcasting the SSID by using a wireless device to see if it can find your router. If it can (provided the wireless device in quetion hasn't been SUPPLIED with the SSID beforehand), then you know you are broadcasting.

[JustRalph]

There will be an address assigned to your router

In the manual for the router you will find its address.

type the address in your browser, where you normally put in

www.paceadvantage.com (http://www.paceadvantage.com) put in 192.168.0.1 and hit enter

see the page below for more info

http://support.dlink.com/faq/view.asp?prod_id=1055

I still can't find a dlinkG54 router........tells you how much I know.......

[DJofSD]

SF, passwords do not exist for the level you are dealing with. At this very fundamental level we're at the same level as a wire tap on you wire-line telephone. Having a "lock" of a password on the desktop telephone sitting on your desk does not do you any good if some one has placed a couple of clips on some wiring posts in the wiring closet.

What PA told you for D-Link routers is correct. Read the info on the D-Link web site. They have all of the manuals posted there in PDF format if you've misplaced the hard copy that came with the router.

Eventually all this hassle will be addressed by 802.11i. But until then the effort to secure your wireless network requires all the steps to make it extremely difficult to crack your network.

I found "Wi-foo, The Secrets of Wireless Hacking" by Vladimirov, Gavrilenko and Mikhailovsky (Addison Wesley) a good read. Don't get put off by all of the UNIX discussions. See Chapter 10 which discusses the fundamentals of SSID, etc.

My own set up uses a 4 port router. One connection is wired directly to the desktop PC that is my primary computer. The other connection is to a wireless access point (AP) for my wireless network for multiple laptops and Tivo. To take the ultimate step to secure my network, all I need to do is disable the AP.

And finally, when I was deciding what to purchase to set up access to my broadband connection then a wireless network (with VPN for access to my employer's network), I spoke with the technical support folks at D-Link. Very helpful and it definitely made a difference going with them. BTW, if you haven't seen it yet, the D-Link web site has a nice network configuration tool that will literally draw you a picture of what to buy and how it is pieced together.

DJofSD

[SAL]

If you set up your network to not allow file sharing does that make your computer safe from others that happen to log on to your network?

I personally don't care if one of my neighbors piggyback on to my network to access the internet, but I don't want anyone trying to hack into my files.

[DJofSD]

No.

You should care if some one hacks your network. You'll care when the FBI shows up at your front door because you and your computer has been identified as the source of child porn or a virus or a node used to trigger a DOS attack. Rethink your position.

DJofSD

[headhawg]

I'm trying to make my network have a password. How can I tell I'm broadcasting the SSID?
There's probably a check box to enable/disable SSID broadcasting. And don't forget to change the default SSID name. And while I'm at it, change the administrator password on the access point/router from the default as well.

Other than that, PA's suggestions are right on. Try to enable WPA encryption instead of WEP if posstible. WEP has known flaws that make it fairly easy to crack, thus making it only slightly better than none at all. The SSID, MAC filtering, and encryption method all act as a "password" of sorts to your wireless network, so you only need to be concerned about your local machine access (user names and passwords.)

[headhawg]

If you set up your network to not allow file sharing does that make your computer safe from others that happen to log on to your network?

I personally don't care if one of my neighbors piggyback on to my network to access the internet, but I don't want anyone trying to hack into my files.
I agree with DJofSD's reply; at the very least I wouldn't want to lose any bandwidth because others are using my WAP, nor do I want to tempt someone into attacking my local machines because the opportunity is there.

But keep in mind that if you have a home network, and you disable file sharing (assuming Windows OS here), you won't be able to share files locally either.

If you only have one computer then by all means disable file/print sharing. It won't interfere with Internet access.

[BillW]

No.

You should care if some one hacks your network. You'll care when the FBI shows up at your front door because you and your computer has been identified as the source of child porn or a virus or a node used to trigger a DOS attack. Rethink your position.

DJofSD

Sometimes it's not even something that evil. With the MPAA and the music industry going ballistic over "downloading" - the FBI could get on your case because one of the neighborhood teenagers is borrowing your ID to download copyrighted material.

Bill

[SAL]

OK thanks for the replies. I will set my wireless router up for encryption tonight when I get home. We don't share files amongst our computers at home so that's not a factor. But I don't want to get in trouble with other people doing unlawful things on my network.

[Speed Figure]

I got it now guy, thanks for all your help! :jump:

[TonyK@HSH]

Speed,

Check out the current version of PC Magazine. Pretty comprehensive article on Wireless networks as well as product reviews.