Wireless internet security help!

[Megster]

I set up a linksys router in my house last night since we are now a 4 computer household (1 desktop 3 laptops). My parents are very concerned with computer safety and all that stuff so that want to put a password on our internet signal. Basically they want it so that when someone tries to connect to our signal they have to enter a password. When I set up the router last night it asked for password, but I'm not exactly sure what thats for. I'm a little nervous to just start clicking on options because as of right now the internet is working on all computers, its just not secure. Any help that you guys could give for how set this up/change it/whatever would be greatly appreciated!!!! TIA

 

[tmt martins]

I beleive you are looking for the WEP (wireless equivalent privacy) Enable it make a code and you have to enter this for all your wireless connections.

Codes are usually WEP KEYS

Also you can hide your SSID as another form of air hackers.

 

[jfulcer]

It would help if you posted your model number - that would help direct your help. Most of the 'configuration' between models will be the same, so you could always use this:

http://www.whitehats.ca/main/member...curing_your_linksys_wireless_access_point.pdf

as a starting point. Post back your model number and I can see if I can find something specific for you.

 

[Aidensmom]

Did you set up the password? If so, you are probably secure. We have a linksys too that we just set up.

In the tray on your Windows toolbar in the lower righthand corner, do you have an icon that looks like a computer with two squiggly icons on it? Right click on it and select to show all available wireless networks. If your connection says secure and has a little padlock, you are secure

If I right click on mine, I get 3 connections, one is mine, two apparantly belong to neighbors. One neighbors is not secured, and I can choose to connect to it with no problem. If I try the secured one, it prompts me for a password.

 

[Geoff_M]

WARNING.... I think you are confusing two different types of "passwords"!

When talking about "setting up a password" on your router, it sounds to me like you are talking about the password that LinkSys allows you to set to access the router configuration program and not the WEP encryption setting. If you are talking about the password you are prompted for when you enter the IP address of 192.168.1.1 in the address line of a web browser from a computer attached to the router, that's not the WEP setting. The WEP key is set once you are in the configuration utility. The WEP setting are usually found on the Security "tab" from within the configuration utility.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Did you set up the password? If so, you are probably secure. We have a linksys too that we just set up.

In the tray on your Windows toolbar in the lower righthand corner, do you have an icon that looks like a computer with two squiggly icons on it? Right click on it and select to show all available wireless networks. If your connection says secure and has a little padlock, you are secure

If I right click on mine, I get 3 connections, one is mine, two apparantly belong to neighbors. One neighbors is not secured, and I can choose to connect to it with no problem. If I try the secured one, it prompts me for a password.

I just did this and mine shows "unsecured"! I have a D-Link router and signal booster - how do I add a password?

Thanks!

 

[NJBlackBerry]

The "password" just lets you into the router configuration. Hint: every Linksys comes with the same password.

At a minimum you want to enable "128 bit" WEP security for your wireless router. Find the section in the router congiruation called wireless security. Enable WEP - and it should ask if you want 64 or 128. You want 128 bit. Then set a key. Make it easy enough for you to remember, but no a bunch of zeros. A 128 bit WEP security scheme requires a 26 character key (yes - 26).

Set a WEP key and you will lessen the likelihood of someone else using your wireless connection.

 

[Megster]

thanks guys!! My next question is what is the difference between a passphrase and a key?

 

[Geoff_M]

The "Key" itself is a long string of hexidecimal numbers. For example: 37E01AC182FF341D is an example of a 128-bit WEP "Key". This is what the wireless connection uses to encrypt and de-crypt the data. Seeing as "37E01AC182FF341D" is kind of hard to remembe, hard key in without error, and hard to pass on to others you wish to access your system, wireless network access software can use a "pass-phrase" is that is a simple "word" or phrase that is then processed by a common formula to generate the 128-bit WEP key. So, for example "Tigger2006" might equate to "37E01AC182FF341D".

So when a friend comes over with their wireless laptop, you can just tell them "The pass-phrase for my wireless system is 'Tigger2006'." They can punch that into their wireless access software, and they're in without having to worry about long hex strings.