Quick wireless security question.

Rikki

Never had a problem with the wireless security but have noticed when the internet connection drops out briefly it comes back with the box and it says - My network name (unsecured).

I've checked my router page and that all seems okay. On checking wireless networks available it comes back as mine is secure. What else can I check to make sure it is still secure?

GunJack

are you using vista by any chance ?? this seems to be a common occurrence in V. As long as you have the wifi set up with a password, you're ok

Rikki

No I'm using XP. It's something I've only recently noticed happening but checking everything it seems fine.

I'll change the router password. I'll leave the WPA code the same for the moment.

Rikki

Where can I get a new WPA code from?

In the router settings I cannot a WPA2 option. Is this because of the age of the router?

Inner_Zone

Rikki wrote: »

Where can I get a new WPA code from?

Make it up yourself.

Rikki wrote: »

In the router settings I cannot a WPA2 option. Is this because of the age of the router?

Possibly, may just need a firmware update. Don't forget you will need XP SP2 minimum to support WPA2.

Rikki

Inner_Zone wrote: »

Make it up yourself.



Possibly, may just need a firmware update. Don't forget you will need XP SP2 minimum to support WPA2.

I have XP SP3. How do I update?

macman

Surprisingly, SP3 is newer than SP2...

Rikki

macman wrote: »

Surprisingly, SP3 is newer than SP2...

:rotfl:

I was assuming I it was meant I needed to update something for the router to accept a WPA2 code.

Inner_Zone

Rikki wrote: »

:rotfl:

I was assuming I it was meant I needed to update something for the router to accept a WPA2 code.

Yes, you may need to update the routers firmware to support WPA2, check the manufactures website.

arriva

Rikki wrote: »

Never had a problem with the wireless security but have noticed when the internet connection drops out briefly it comes back with the box and it says - My network name (unsecured).

I've checked my router page and that all seems okay. On checking wireless networks available it comes back as mine is secure. What else can I check to make sure it is still secure?

I always thought that was a good way to attack: temporarily take offline (airdrop) your neighbour router then your victim(s) computer(s) will automatically connect to a router that you have previously setup as a clone to broadcast the same SSID as your neighbour's, even on the same channel. Obviously you don't know his wifi password so you leave the clone's Wifi "open" (unsecured).
To the unsuspecting victim it would look like a temporary loss of connectivity then the signal link appears to be "unsecured", as described by the OP.
Once connected you could spoof any page, run services on your victims computer etc.
Never done it but I think theoretically it is possible. Any opinion?

It is unlikely to be the case here however a quick way to see if you have been attacked is unplugging or power off your own router and see if the signal desappeares.

bruticus

Rikki wrote: »

I have XP SP3. How do I update?

It's all done on the router, not the laptop/PC. You should be able to access an admin page on the router that will let you do this kind of thing