O2 wireless router used as a normal non-wireless modem?

mcroodi

Does anyone who has the new O2 wireless router know whether it is possible to use it as a normal (non-wireless) modem?

I checked SamKnows for wireless in my area but it says there is none. Id rather use non-wireless as I'm worried about security.

My current modem is a Thompson Speedtouch 330 and when I rang O2 the person on the phone said I could plug it into my phone line to use it as a non-wireless, but she didnt sound too sure. She also said the info on SamKnows was incorrect and that I did have wireless. . I currently get up to 8Mbps (really around 7.1Mbps) and want to try O2's up to 20mbps Pro package.

Does anyone know for definite about the modem thing?

peregrin

Hi

It's not actually a wireless router in that it picks up Internet signals wirelessly, it plugs into the phone line like your Speed Touch modem and gives out a short range wireless signal for WiFi enabled laptops etc. to access the Internet through.

It also has 4 Ethernet ports for you to connect a computer to. So you plug the router into the phone line, then the computer into the router.

You can probably disable the wireless element if you are concerned about security, although nowadays the WPA2 security that most routers come with mean that you can password protect the wireless access and that's pretty robust against people hijacking your Internet.

Note you probably can't password protect the wired Ethernet ports, i.e. so if someone has physical access to plug in a cable, they can get online.

mcroodi

Thanks - I think I'm just a little afraid that I will install a wireless modem incorrectly and leave myself "vulnerable" to hackers without realising.

I've read/heard that people on the street can gain access to your computer if you're wireless, if you haven't proper security - that's what puts me off a wireless modem. There's no problem with people accessing my pc in my home.

peregrin

As long as you make sure you set a wireless encryption password then you'll be fine. Many new modems come with it switched on already, the default password is printed on a sticker you get with the modem. And if they don't, the setup wizard will normally guide you through setting one up.

inside101

It's very easy to switch the wireless signal off if you don't need it at the moment.

Feel free to PM me when/if you get it and I'll guide you through what to do.

macman

Yes, the o2 box can be set up as a wireless router or as a conventional ethernet router. You just select which option you want in the set up software. I've done two or three of these and it's really a piece of cake.
But as peregrin says, the WPA2 wirelesss security option on this is about as secure as you can get these days, only a very knowledgeable hacker can get through it.