Password protecting netgear router

Jolly_Roger

I have just password protected my netgear router. I followed instructions previously posted on this Forum, manually entering the three physical addresses of the three computers that are to be used on this network. However, only the Ethernet computer will now work. What haven't I done yet on the other two computers to make them connect with the router, which they were more than happy to do prior to the password protecting?
According to the posted instructions, about the final thing you do is go into Wireless network settings, enter the SSID, change to WPA-PSK, put in new password and confirm network key boxes, then click setup a network manually.
I did this and the main computer is fine. The others don't work. Had a look at implementing this last set of instructions on number 2 computer and laptop, but you can't do that. The setup won't allow manual input, it wants a flash USB something or other. What am I doing wrong?

albertross_2

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=1460703&postcount=2

Jolly_Roger

Tried that! Done all that! What am I supposed to do with the wireless computers on the network though? I entered their MAC numbers on the router, but is that enough? They can't access the router!

albertross_2

So have you put an encryption key in the router? Did you copy and paste it. Your post suggests that you haven't been able to put a key on the PC's.., if you have put a key on the router, and not put one on the PC's to match, it won't work.

Does it work if you disable the mac address filtering?

It's best to do one step at a time.

Could you post exactly what you have done?

sco0ter

What router are you using. I never once manually input anything when setting up security (except the I for the passkey) . All I did was enable MAC filtering (easier when the computers you use are already connected) and disable SSID and then input the passkey for WPA on the router then went to each wireless comp and entered the SSID and WPA key and all works fine.

Jolly_Roger

I followed all the instructions in the link above posted by AlbertRoss, except I entered a new key manually, rather than pasting in something much longer.
I entered the MAC addresses of all three computers.
The last bit was somewhat different as per above instructions.
In Control Panel there is no "setup a new wireliness network" possibility. Instead, there is a "new wireless setup wizard", which does take you through the various steps, although I am not sure it was possible to "data encryption to tkip". The next step "Tick WPA encryption..." onwards is all handled by the wizard, if I remember correctly, and you are advised to print off a sheet which lists all wireless settings, giving your network name, key, etc.
So, what have I done so wrong that the other non-Ethernet computes won't connect? Do I have to do anything to them?

albertross_2

Is this windows XP with service pack 2 applied?

Are you in front of it now, or at work?

Incidentally, the long random key is fairly important to make it secure. WPA is easier to crack than WEP if you supply a short key or a well known word. The strength of the key is in it's length, and randomness.

sco0ter

Can you tell me the model of router.. this will make helping you easier. I dont understand the need to go into control panel. Try putting your router back to the settings before you started and see if the comps connect then we can start from the beginning

sco0ter

albertross wrote:

Is this windows XP with service pack 2 applied?

Are you in front of it now, or at work?

Incidentally, the long random key is fairly important to make it secure. WPA is easier to crack than WEP if you supply a short key or a well known word. The strength of the key is in it's length, and randomness.

I dont think this is correct.. Isnt it to do with the way that WPA transmits packets

Master keys are used directly in WEP
Master Keys are never used directly in WPA. A hierarchy of keys is used, all derived from the Master. Cryptographically this is a much more secure practice.

Granted well known words would be a weakness but that is the same for any security system. Using the available scanner tools WEP keys can be got WPA cant

albertross_2

Not sure what you are objecting to, the word easier, or the whole thing?

WEP is crackable regardless of key length, because of weaknesses in design, and the numerous Linux cracking tools out there that exploit the flaws.

WPA with of key of say Derek is crackable with a dictionary attack. The randomness removes the possibility of a dictionary attack, the length inhibit's the cracker, because of the number of permutations vs current CPU processing power available.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=wpa+cracking&meta=

sco0ter

As I said.. Any system that has a well known word would not be secure.. You said WEP was more secure than WPA depending on key length. If the key was 8 random letters you could employ scanning tools to get it from WEP but not WPA so WEP is less secure no matter what.