Broadband Modem

albertross_2

alexjohnson wrote:

Sorry but your info is out of date! Even my Mac can do it, right here, right now! I believe you use NetStumbler but I'm not an expert on what you people on the Dark Side use! (I use KisMac).

98% then.. macs aren't that widespread in the UK.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2006/08/hijacking_a_macbook_in_60_seco_1.html

netstumbler requires ssid to be broadcast.

to the OP..

the links I posted tell you how to make it as secure as possible. check to see if there is a later version of the router firmware available on the netgear website, turn off ssid broadcast, get a long 63 character WPA-PS key from https://www.grc.com/passwords, change the ssid to something that doesn't identify you or your router brand, reset the router password, turn off unpnp support, make sure the web admin is turned off, enable mac address filtering. If you do all that, then even linux/mac users can't currently hack it, and most people (Windows users) won't even know you have a wireless network. If you are using the in-built windows wireless support (as opposed to software that sometimes comes with a wireless network card), then you should have the options available to connect to your router automatically when it is in range, and not connect to the neighbours or any ad-hoc pc-pc connection.

The SSID is the name for the network (defaults to Netgear)
The router password (defaults to admin, password) is the password you need to connect and amend router settings.
The WPA-PSK is the key to encrypt all your wireless transmissions, having a long random one is the best thing you can do to make it secure, but all the other things lock it down even more.

once it is all setup and working, backup your router config to a file on the pc. if you are worried about messing the router config up, do this at each stage, and you can then easily put it back to the way it was.

jermima

Zebra wrote:

Thank you!

I've just remembered that my laptop already has a built-in wireless connection!

So all I will need is a router?

I've had a look in Staples and the same Netgear one as Amazon is £90, so Amazon seems a good bargain. However Staples also sell a Belkin 128mps router (but without the firewall) for £80, but I understand from Alex's post above that 128mps is unobtainable anyway.

I haven't been able to get through to Talktalk yet about the line, but just want to try and understand my options if the line iturns out to be ok.

TRY EBUYER THEY ARE IN THE UK - THEY ALSO HAVE CONTACT DETAILS!! - AND ARE CHEAPER THEN AMAZON .YOU NEED A ROUTER WITH A FIREWALL, IF GOING WIRELESS ( anyone sat outside in a car using a laptop can access all your info - with the right software they can take all your passwords!!!
I would go for a wireless Linksys router ( FREEPHONE NUMBER IF YOOU ENCOUNTER ANY PROBLEMS - I don't think anyone else does this)
If not using laptop it's easy to set it back not to be wireless ( otherwise it could be slow - are you getting 8 megs from talk talk )

jermima

Ebuyer.com Get A Brand New Pc For Under £200

jermima

Zebra wrote:

Thanks Amanda.

I went for the Netgear option in the end, which I'm pleased with, but just having a few security concerns at the moment!

Uninstall it and start again make sure the wep key is ticked

Zebra

albertross wrote:

The SSID is the name for the network (defaults to Netgear)
The router password (admin, password) is the password you need to connect and amend router settings.
The WPA-PSK is the key to encrypt all your wireless transmissions, having a long random one is the best thing you can do to make it secure, but all the other things lock it down even more.

Thanks, I think I understand now!

I'll set the router password to something more secure and the Network key to something random. Do I then have to enter this into the "Wireless Network Properties" box in Windows? And why is the old one still being accepted and coming up automatically?

Finally, why does Wireless Isolation mean and why do I need to add the mac address manually?

Zebra

jermima wrote:

are you getting 8 megs from talk talk

I'm actually on an old tariff that's 1.1 meg, and haven't got round to changing it yet.

albertross_2

wireless isolation stops two wireless pc's from talking to each other though your router, I have mine ticked (which is different from what the router config screen suggests).

the mac address is the actual hardware address of any network card, the thing that does the talking, so if you tell your router to only talk to xx-xx-xx-xx-xx-xx (your pc's mac address), then if another PC tries to attach to your router it won't allow it. (However mac addresses can be spoofed to workaround this, but this feature is usually only found in a linux (and maybe apple mac:rolleyes: ) hackers toolkit). If you get another PC in future, you just add the new pc's mac address to the list. If you have a PC already attached, you can add it using add under wireless settings, setup access list, available wireless stations, but make sure you add yours and not the neighbours.

double click the wireless network icon
view wireless networks
change advanced settings
wireless networks
highlight your ssid (if it there)
properties

network authentication = wpa-psk
encryption = tkip
paste network key e.g. u$cv>c?|{UP iK]0Iz#hx\.#~R3X]1s66kT(99\8*h%o0ao~z+#[1b@\kd}-xuP

(make sure there are no quotation marks "'s or '''.s in this, if there are just type another letter over it
click connection, tick connect when in range,ok

click advanced, make sure access point (infrastructure) is selected, and automatically connect to non preferred networks is unselected, then ok everthing

this all assumes you are using Windows Xp to manage your wireless and not software that comes with a wireless adapter.

Zebra

Ok thanks, now I understand isolation and mac addresses and will follow the instructions in your link.

Why should I turn UPnP off?

albertross wrote:

double click the wireless network icon
view wireless networks
change advanced settings
wireless networks
highlight your ssid (if it there)
properties

network authentication = wpa-psk
encryption = tkip
paste network key e.g. u$cv>c?|{UP iK]0Iz#hx\.#~R3X]1s66kT(99\8*h%o0ao~z+#[1b@\kd}-xuP

(make sure there are no quotation marks "'s or '''.s in this, if there are just type another letter over it
click connection, tick connect when in range,ok.

Done.

albertross wrote:

click advanced, make sure access point (infrastructure) is selected, and automatically connect to non preferred networks is unselected, then ok everthing.

I don't have/can't find this option.

albertross wrote:

this all assumes you are using Windows Xp to manage your wireless and not software that comes with a wireless adapter.

Yes.

albertross_2

upnp allows software to punch a hole in your routers defences, this included malware/viruses. It is useful for easy config of bittorrent clients and online games, so if you use these you might want to leave it enabled, but you can achieve the same effect manually using guides at https://www.portforward.com If you don't use these, then I'd turn it off.

double click the wireless network icon
view wireless networks
change advanced settings
wireless networks

there should be an advanced button on this screen

it should look like this:

http://www.itc.virginia.edu/wireless/win/images/xp2wire-1.1.wahoo.jpg

Zebra

Thanks Albert, I was looking at the Advanced tab at the top.
I've done it now.

I've followed your instructions in your link and changed the settings and passwords etc.

I saved the changes in backup settings, how can I open that file?

Also the old SSID is still in the "wireless networks" tab, can I safely click on remove?

Thank you very much for your help and your patience, it is very much appreciated! :T :T