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What Security Steps Do I Take To Connect To Wireless Router?

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Hi,

My Brother's got Sky broadband and a netgear wireless router box with it.

I want to use this internet connection via a USB Adapter.

Currently his connection is password protected. After I typed in his password (Key) in my XP PC to gain access via the USB Adapter, the connection was fine.

For that particular connection I'm using, in the box in the bottom right hand corner of the taskbar that shows connection status, it says: Security-enabled wireless network (WPA)

Obviously indicating that it is password protected.

I was wondering though, do I need to take any other steps to ensure security (my Brother only takes this step of having password as far as I know, he's not too clued up about security either)?


Thank you.

Jay

Comments

  • m5rcc
    m5rcc Posts: 1,544 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Just make sure you have a good antivirus installed on your PC and you should be fine. WPA is crackable but with some effort.
  • trets77
    trets77 Posts: 2,886 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Associate wrote: »
    Hi,

    My Brother's got Sky broadband and a netgear wireless router box with it.

    I want to use this internet connection via a USB Adapter.

    Currently his connection is password protected. After I typed in his password (Key) in my XP PC to gain access via the USB Adapter, the connection was fine.

    For that particular connection I'm using, in the box in the bottom right hand corner of the taskbar that shows connection status, it says: Security-enabled wireless network (WPA)

    Obviously indicating that it is password protected.

    I was wondering though, do I need to take any other steps to ensure security (my Brother only takes this step of having password as far as I know, he's not too clued up about security either)?


    Thank you.

    Jay

    maybe crackable , but with so many easier targets out there who is going to go to the serious time and effort to crack a garden variety wireless connection ? .

    as long as the Password is strong enough your okay. if it easily guessable or too simple , then change it to something stronger . try random words punctuated with random letters symbols , and numbers and change case a few random times as well . make it long but not to long , and write it down somewhere very very safe .

    you should ask your brother to also look into making sure the routers Admin/ settings page / interface has a good password too . it's often not set to too strong .

    other than that , you can change your network name and hide it , but this might cause you problems in connecting new devices , and probably won't make a huge amount of difference .
    Better in my pocket than theirs :rotfl:
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