have tried to understand previous threads but how to secure wireless network?

familyfitz

Sorry - I really have tried to understand previous threads from a search i did but have failed.

Background - Have Linksys Wireless G Broadband Router WRT54GL and had laptop linked to this over secure link.

Laptop met with an accident (tea jumped out of my cup all over it!) and now have new laptop.

Wireless connection up and running but states it is unsecured.

How do I go about making it secure? Cant find router manual.

I have my MAC code, Unique identifier code and IP address all available.

Sorry to be repeptitive but really cannot, with my limited knowledge, follow previous instructions in answer to others questions so hoping someone can spoon feed me in order to sort this.

Much appreciated.

familyfitz

New laptop has vista on it - does that make any difference?

maggie5

i have this problem aswell, also how would i get my ps3 to work with the same connection, it always boots me off main pc (sorry if i hijacked your thread)

aliEnRIK

maggie5 wrote: »

i have this problem aswell, also how would i get my ps3 to work with the same connection, it always boots me off main pc (sorry if i hijacked your thread)

What exactly do you mean by the 'same connection'??
You should use a ROUTER. So thats one cable to your computer from the router and ANOTHER cable from the router to the ps3
OR
Wirelessly using a wireless router

old_codger1

familyfitz wrote: »

New laptop has vista on it - does that make any difference?

Router manual should be here...

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1133202177241&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

There's a user guide link on the right which is a PDF file so you'll need Adobe Acroabat (free software basic version is fine).

In any event... the TCP/IP network protocols and standards are nothing whatsoever to do with Microsoft anyway. You should be able to connect almost any networ device to a TCP/IP router. I've successfully connected my daughters PSP handheld device for updates and browsing. It's just a matter of establishing the type of wireless encryption, (which you should always use), and making sure that the router and any devices all are set to the same settings.

I had a quick look and it looks like the router has a 'quick setup' so just follow that and you should be fine. Like I say, you'll have to setup your network machines using the same settings though.

Conor_3

ERRR GUYS, you've missed something.

So let me get this right. On your old laptop, you were connected to a secure connection. You've not touched any of the configuration on your Linksys at all.

CHECK YOU ARE CONNECTED TO THE RIGHT WIRELESS NETWORK.

The fact it is a new laptop makes no difference to the security of your Linksys as it's not connected to it so unless you've altered anything on the Linksys, it should be the same as it was before.

My bet is your new lappy has picked up an open wifi connection and connected to it.

aliEnRIK

Conor wrote: »

ERRR GUYS, you've missed something.

So let me get this right. On your old laptop, you were connected to a secure connection. You've not touched any of the configuration on your Linksys at all.

CHECK YOU ARE CONNECTED TO THE RIGHT WIRELESS NETWORK.

The fact it is a new laptop makes no difference to the security of your Linksys as it's not connected to it so unless you've altered anything on the Linksys, it should be the same as it was before.

My bet is your new lappy has picked up an open wifi connection and connected to it.

That SHOULD be true. And yet my belkin reset ITSELF last month (Which baffled the hell out of me at the time!).

old_codger1

Conor wrote: »

My bet is your new lappy has picked up an open wifi connection and connected to it.

Yeah, good shout

familyfitz

Loaner - have brought up this page and changed the security type and encryption type as you suggest but we cant then get onto the internet. We can when we revert it back to no authentication (open) setting.

Conor - havent changed anything on the Linksys and have checked through the wireless network connection status (details tab) and it appears to be seeing our internet providers name and know no-one else in vicinity uses same provider.

old_codger1

familyfitz wrote: »

Loaner - have brought up this page and changed the security type and encryption type as you suggest but we cant then get onto the internet. We can when we revert it back to no authentication (open) setting.

Can I assume you are also changing the security settings on the router at the same time and then rebooting your PC? If not you wouldn't be able to connect out would you.

The security settings have to be the same on both the PC AND the router, obviously, as otherwise it's like changing the lock on your front door without getting another key cut and wondering why you can't get in your house.

Just to ask the obvious question, have you tried unplugging your router and checked that you can't connect out? Obviously, you shouldn't be able to but it might be worth checking. Looking at your statement below it would appear you ARE connecting out with your own router using the wireless connection but it's important to make sure as, theoretically, you could be connecting using a network cable.

familyfitz wrote: »

Conor - havent changed anything on the Linksys and have checked through the wireless network connection status (details tab) and it appears to be seeing our internet providers name and know no-one else in vicinity uses same provider.

You mentioned something before about having the 'MAC code, Unique identifier code and IP address all available'. What do you mean by the 'unique identifier code'? Where are you getting that from? You also mentioned that you have the MAC code but are you aware that every single network card has it's own individual MAC code so the network card in your new laptop will be different from the old one, (assuming it's not one you've swapped across like a PCMCIA card or USB stick). If you're entering the old MAC address into the settings along with your encryption, (they're nothing to do with each other), then it won't work.

Also, can I assume that the little green 'internet' light is coming on and staying on? From what you've said it sounds like it but it's worth checking.