Log on to Windows is annoying

beachbeth

Thanks for all your replies. I tried the Control userpassword2 and then couldn't logon at all. I was panicking a bit because I have photos not backed up on my computer! I then realised the user name in the login box was administrator and not my name. Once I changed it to my name I was able to log on again! Phew!

I was a bit worried that someone had hacked my pc or something else equally bad had happened so I removed all important docs and photos and then reformatted my pc. After doing this I downloaded all updates and my pc is still fine.

Can anyone point me in the direction of how I can make my pc safer? I have spybot, AVG and Adaware 2007. I have a wireless Lynksys reuter and not sure how to set it up so that only my daughter's 2 laptops and the playstation 3 can use it.

bionic_dad

beachbeth wrote: »

Can anyone point me in the direction of how I can make my pc safer? I have spybot, AVG and Adaware 2007. I have a wireless Lynksys reuter and not sure how to set it up so that only my daughter's 2 laptops and the playstation 3 can use it.

You can set it up but its a little long winded. You will need to enable something called "Mac address filtering" on your router. Will pm you some instructions if you like?

spike274

Post #11 is correct (reTweakUI) but one thing I found was the account needed a password.

phill79

bionic_dad wrote: »

You can set it up but its a little long winded. You will need to enable something called "Mac address filtering" on your router. Will pm you some instructions if you like?

You do realise that MAC addresses float around in clear text so anyone with the right tools (eg, a wireless laptop) can get a valid MAC address and spoof their own. You are much safer using a strong WPA key.

bionic_dad

phill79 wrote: »

You do realise that MAC addresses float around in clear text so anyone with the right tools (eg, a wireless laptop) can get a valid MAC address and spoof their own. You are much safer using a strong WPA key.

Cheers for that Phil - youre quite right.

My own router is already configured with WPA encryption and I was going to pass this essential nugget on but it was very late and I wrote the post stupidly when I was half alseep and forgot )

After ensuring WPA encryption you can then filter the MAC addresses so it only allows access to enabled addresses but will I stop there before it gets too tecchie.

beachbeth

Thanks everyone. I would love you to email some instructions bionic dad. Not too technical please though!

I know how to get to the setting of my router and there are various tabs such as "settings" and "security". One thing I was wondering too though is that I have a PS3 which needs my pc to update so I don't want to block it from doing this.

foofi22

Firstly what router are you using beachbeth? (model number please!) It may not actually offer WPA encryption and it would make it easier to provide clear instructions! I think some routers may allow people to remotely manage them if you get too lost in the techno babble

Also, you can connect you ps3 to your router using a wire (ethernet/RJ45 cable) if that is at all physically possible? This would allow the ps3 to still connect to your router and update - if you increased the security settings (Although that said the ps3 may still work with WPA if any one can confirm that?)

Hope that helps a bit!

beachbeth

My router is a Linksys, model number WAG354G(UK).

Thanks for your pm, Bionic Dad. I will have a go tomorrow when I have time to set it up!

If I get stuck I'll report back here to ask you all what to do next!

beachbeth

Ive put in the list of mac addresses of all the pc's and it all seems to be working. When I remove one of the mac addresses, that particular pc can no longer log onto the web, which shows that its done the trick! I haven't done the WPA yet but will try that too. Thanks everyone, especially Bionic Dad!!!:T

beachbeth

Well, its all set up!:T With WPA encryption and have listed all the mac addresses on the router too. Thanks to the step-by-step instructions from Bionic Dad!!! Ive even managed to set up the PS3 by trial and error so that it can still connect wirelessly too! I feel quite clever now!:p (As well as safer!)Have a virtual drink on me, BD! :beer: