Wireless Connection Security

cwcw

I have just set up a wireless connection with a Netgear router provided by Sky.. I have made sure WPA is set up and have set the network key myself after using the default one from Sky at first. The connection is working, but with 2 issues:

1) The connection itself appears to not be encrypted, even though the router is set up with WPA. If I go to the network connections in the control panel and select it, the details that come up on the left show "Encryption: Disabled". This is on my PC with a USB wireless adapter. There is also a laptop which connects to the router and that shows "Encryption: Enabled" and has a little padlock icon. Is my connection from my PC secure, or does it mean that data I transmit from it is not encrypted? There doesn't seem to be an option anywhere to make it be encrypted.

2) The signal strength with the USB adapter is appalling. Is this normal, or is it because it is a cheapo one from Amazon market place? I'm about 30 feet from the router through 3 thin walls. The highest strength I've ever achieved is 44%, the norm is about 20%. This strength has a direct correlation with download speeds I'm able to achieve (according to online speed tests).

Thanks.

cwcw

Please? Anyone?

albertross_2

If http://192.168.0.1
admin
sky
wireless settings
WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key)
is selected, and there is a key in the
Network Key (8 ~ 63 characters)
box, then it is encrypted.

if you are using the proprietary software (that came with the adapter) to manage the connection, try switch to let windows manage it.

Are you absolutely sure you are connecting to your network, and not a neighbours? Turn off your router, see if the connection drops on the PC.

cwcw

100% sure I'm connecting to my own connection.

I am using the proprietary software that came with the USB adapter. I have tried using the Windows setup but it doesn't work (my version of XP doesn't even have SP1 let alone SP2 and it won't let me update it).

The router is WPA protected, so data it sends will be encrypted, but does this necessarily mean data my PC sends is encrypted before it reaches the router?

Jzpop

If the router is definitely WPA-enabled, then your wireless adaptor must be also. If they are not both using the same settings, they can't communicate.

albertross_2

Is the XP legit?

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

daqtanian

If you're getting poor reception then try changing the channel your router is broadcasting on. You might be getting interferance from a neighbour's wireless. Most people will leave the channel on the default setting, so if someone near you also has a netgear router then they may be slowing each other down.

Can you see any other wireless networks?

cwcw

Changing the channel from the default gives me an extra few %. I also tinkered with the router antenna and positioning and I'm currently at 44%, which is as high as it gets. Annoyingly, the signal only drops slightly with the PCMCIA wireless card in the laptop. I've also tried the PC's USB wireless adaptor in the laptop, and it's "excellent" signal strength near the router but it drops to low when in the same room as my PC. Are USB adaptors not as good at collecting the signal compared to PCMCIA?

stevemcol

Have you made your SSID unique? I've had similar problems when two routers close by have had the same default name.

cwcw

Yeah, the SSID is unique. Signal strength currently 25%.

cledor

Make sure the router is situated in the highest possible location and away from large metallic structures or obstacles, with the aerial vertical. It can also be affected by DECT phones, Microwave ovens & Video Senders therefore ensure it is as far as possible from such devices.