Need info on wireless router signal

[aprilgail2]

I have my computer and my moms hooked up via wireless router.....well today my neighbor told me her son came over and he picked up my wireless signal and was getting online from it...how do I block that and still have it to connect my mothers computer for her through my cable signal??

 

[momof2inPA]

I don't know. I'm having the same problem.

 

[Shutterbug]

Yes my notebook picks up at least 3 other networks.
I have mine as secure as possible:

See here on what you need to do:
http://www.jiwire.com/wi-fi-security-home-networks-1.htm

 

[mtblujeans]

bump, bump: Good question!

 

[Charade]

By default, all (or everyone I've seen) wireless routers and interface cards (PC or laptop) are set to NO SECURITY!

Read the instructions provided by shutterbug.

 

[thinkerbell]

We just had Best Buy to come out and set up our wireless router so that we have to have a password to get on. We aren't really computer savvy so we let someone who knows what they are doing to set it up for us. We can add on more computers as we want using the password. We also have a neighbor who doesn't protect theirs. We were also told that laws are getting more strict about internet use and that we would be responsible if anyone did anything illegal using our internet service.

 

[Tina]

Turn on your Encryption and setup a password. Neighbors will still be able to 'see' you, but not log on without a password.

 

[mtblujeans]

OP, good thread....good information!

 

[aprilgail2]

Thanks for the info!!

 

[ToyStory Fan]

1) is to use the WEP security encryption as someone mentioned.

2) a second way is to use MAC filtering...this is a process most routers support that allow only certain other computers/wireless cards access your network. If you look on your wireless card (or the box it came in) you should see something called a MAC address...it is unique to a piece of hardware - like an individual id number...if you add this to the list of "allowed" MAC addresses and turn MAC filtering on, your network will only allow those MAC addresses to use your network connection.

I use both WEP and MAC, but I have some friends that use 2 routers and have created DMZ (demilitarized zone) setup where it is virtually impossible to crack - only the most experienced of hackers (who would also have to be targetting you specifically) could get thru.

Funny you brought this topic up - I know plenty of people who take their laptops with them and during lunch/other work breaks will just look for a signal to borrow.

One of the REALLLLLLLY bad things that can happen by not having a secure wireless connectin is that someone could theoretically send illegal pictures (you know the ones I'm talking about - think Michael Jackson) and or even email threats, and the trace will come back to you. So BE CAREFUL out there and secure those wireless connections.

 

[russ5811]

you want to use both the WEP security and the MAC filtering. WEP will encrypt your signal so that others cannot see what you're doing online (i.e. steal bank passwords, etc) and the MAC filtering will allow only the computers you designate to connect to your router. you can find the instructions for both of these options on the liksys website.

 

[RC Fan]

Thanks for the info!