Setting up a Security on my Wireless Router

  • Thread starter Thread starter ROBCIS
  • Start date Start date
R

ROBCIS

Need help.

I am attempting to set up Wireless network security. I have the following
equipment:
Netgear wireless router
Comcast Arris modem which connects internet, telephone and cable
Dell Dimension running Vista Home Basic (connected to router via cable)
Dell Dimension running Windows XP (wireless connected)
IBM ThinkPad running Windows XP (wireless connected)

My goal is to secure my wireless connection from outside intrusion.

What steps should I take to set this up? Since one of my desk tops is
running wirelessly should I set up the security via that PC?

Any help and direction is appreciated.

Thanks,
 
You can set up WEP on the router, and each wireless client would need to
type the password to connect to the router.

--
Dustin Harper
dharper@vistarip.com
http://www.VistaRIP.com | Vista Resource & Information Page


"ROBCIS" <ROBCIS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BC5AF454-2CC8-4E81-BAE0-AE3C59E44506@microsoft.com...
> Need help.
>
> I am attempting to set up Wireless network security. I have the following
> equipment:
> Netgear wireless router
> Comcast Arris modem which connects internet, telephone and cable
> Dell Dimension running Vista Home Basic (connected to router via cable)
> Dell Dimension running Windows XP (wireless connected)
> IBM ThinkPad running Windows XP (wireless connected)
>
> My goal is to secure my wireless connection from outside intrusion.
>
> What steps should I take to set this up? Since one of my desk tops is
> running wirelessly should I set up the security via that PC?
>
> Any help and direction is appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
 
Previous post said WEP. Try WPA, it's a bit more secure, but still not
perfect. WEP is VERY easy to crack, WPA is more difficult, but not
impossible. Also, turn off the SSI broadcast on your router. Only the
die-hard people would find and/or hack into your setup.

--
Dustin Harper
dharper@vistarip.com
http://www.VistaRIP.com | Vista Resource & Information Page


"ROBCIS" <ROBCIS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BC5AF454-2CC8-4E81-BAE0-AE3C59E44506@microsoft.com...
> Need help.
>
> I am attempting to set up Wireless network security. I have the following
> equipment:
> Netgear wireless router
> Comcast Arris modem which connects internet, telephone and cable
> Dell Dimension running Vista Home Basic (connected to router via cable)
> Dell Dimension running Windows XP (wireless connected)
> IBM ThinkPad running Windows XP (wireless connected)
>
> My goal is to secure my wireless connection from outside intrusion.
>
> What steps should I take to set this up? Since one of my desk tops is
> running wirelessly should I set up the security via that PC?
>
> Any help and direction is appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
 
Dustin,

Thanks. Now how do I do this? Do I go through my PC?

Thanks,

"Dustin Harper" wrote:

> You can set up WEP on the router, and each wireless client would need to
> type the password to connect to the router.
>
> --
> Dustin Harper
> dharper@vistarip.com
> http://www.VistaRIP.com | Vista Resource & Information Page
>
>
> "ROBCIS" <ROBCIS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:BC5AF454-2CC8-4E81-BAE0-AE3C59E44506@microsoft.com...
> > Need help.
> >
> > I am attempting to set up Wireless network security. I have the following
> > equipment:
> > Netgear wireless router
> > Comcast Arris modem which connects internet, telephone and cable
> > Dell Dimension running Vista Home Basic (connected to router via cable)
> > Dell Dimension running Windows XP (wireless connected)
> > IBM ThinkPad running Windows XP (wireless connected)
> >
> > My goal is to secure my wireless connection from outside intrusion.
> >
> > What steps should I take to set this up? Since one of my desk tops is
> > running wirelessly should I set up the security via that PC?
> >
> > Any help and direction is appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
>
 
Dustin,

I was wondering about WEP vs. WPA and glad that you posted this. I am still
unsure what the exacts steps I should take, can you advise?

"Dustin Harper" wrote:

> Previous post said WEP. Try WPA, it's a bit more secure, but still not
> perfect. WEP is VERY easy to crack, WPA is more difficult, but not
> impossible. Also, turn off the SSI broadcast on your router. Only the
> die-hard people would find and/or hack into your setup.
>
> --
> Dustin Harper
> dharper@vistarip.com
> http://www.VistaRIP.com | Vista Resource & Information Page
>
>
> "ROBCIS" <ROBCIS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:BC5AF454-2CC8-4E81-BAE0-AE3C59E44506@microsoft.com...
> > Need help.
> >
> > I am attempting to set up Wireless network security. I have the following
> > equipment:
> > Netgear wireless router
> > Comcast Arris modem which connects internet, telephone and cable
> > Dell Dimension running Vista Home Basic (connected to router via cable)
> > Dell Dimension running Windows XP (wireless connected)
> > IBM ThinkPad running Windows XP (wireless connected)
> >
> > My goal is to secure my wireless connection from outside intrusion.
> >
> > What steps should I take to set this up? Since one of my desk tops is
> > running wirelessly should I set up the security via that PC?
> >
> > Any help and direction is appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
>
 
On Sat, 2 Feb 2008 12:36:01 -0800, ROBCIS wrote:

> I was wondering about WEP vs. WPA and glad that you posted this. I am still
> unsure what the exacts steps I should take, can you advise?

You should begin by reading the documentation that came with your Netgear
WiFi device.
--
Paul Adare
MVP - Virtual Machines
http://www.identit.ca
ROM: A RAM after a delicate operation.
 
Here is a page from Netgear overviewing WPA.
http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101190.asp
And here is another page from Netgear on how to set it up:
http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101675.asp

If you have any questions, feel free to let me know!

--
Dustin Harper
dharper@vistarip.com
http://www.VistaRIP.com | Vista Resource & Information Page


"ROBCIS" <ROBCIS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E05E6F2F-E1DA-4411-8DD8-FB31708BB1DF@microsoft.com...
> Dustin,
>
> I was wondering about WEP vs. WPA and glad that you posted this. I am
> still
> unsure what the exacts steps I should take, can you advise?
>
> "Dustin Harper" wrote:
>
>> Previous post said WEP. Try WPA, it's a bit more secure, but still not
>> perfect. WEP is VERY easy to crack, WPA is more difficult, but not
>> impossible. Also, turn off the SSI broadcast on your router. Only the
>> die-hard people would find and/or hack into your setup.
>>
>> --
>> Dustin Harper
>> dharper@vistarip.com
>> http://www.VistaRIP.com | Vista Resource & Information Page
>>
>>
>> "ROBCIS" <ROBCIS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:BC5AF454-2CC8-4E81-BAE0-AE3C59E44506@microsoft.com...
>> > Need help.
>> >
>> > I am attempting to set up Wireless network security. I have the
>> > following
>> > equipment:
>> > Netgear wireless router
>> > Comcast Arris modem which connects internet, telephone and cable
>> > Dell Dimension running Vista Home Basic (connected to router via cable)
>> > Dell Dimension running Windows XP (wireless connected)
>> > IBM ThinkPad running Windows XP (wireless connected)
>> >
>> > My goal is to secure my wireless connection from outside intrusion.
>> >
>> > What steps should I take to set this up? Since one of my desk tops is
>> > running wirelessly should I set up the security via that PC?
>> >
>> > Any help and direction is appreciated.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>>
 
Dustin Harper wrote:
> Previous post said WEP. Try WPA, it's a bit more secure, but still not
> perfect. WEP is VERY easy to crack, WPA is more difficult, but not
> impossible. Also, turn off the SSI broadcast on your router. Only the
> die-hard people would find and/or hack into your setup.
>

Another thing that may help is to set the security so that only specific
MAC addresses are allowed into the router.

--

Regards,
Hank Arnold
Microsoft MVP
Windows Server - Directory Services
 
Paul,

Thanks, I amd going to dig it out.

"Paul Adare" wrote:

> On Sat, 2 Feb 2008 12:36:01 -0800, ROBCIS wrote:
>
> > I was wondering about WEP vs. WPA and glad that you posted this. I am still
> > unsure what the exacts steps I should take, can you advise?
>
> You should begin by reading the documentation that came with your Netgear
> WiFi device.
> --
> Paul Adare
> MVP - Virtual Machines
> http://www.identit.ca
> ROM: A RAM after a delicate operation.
>
 
Dustin,

Thanks much.

"Dustin Harper" wrote:

> Here is a page from Netgear overviewing WPA.
> http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101190.asp
> And here is another page from Netgear on how to set it up:
> http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101675.asp
>
> If you have any questions, feel free to let me know!
>
> --
> Dustin Harper
> dharper@vistarip.com
> http://www.VistaRIP.com | Vista Resource & Information Page
>
>
> "ROBCIS" <ROBCIS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:E05E6F2F-E1DA-4411-8DD8-FB31708BB1DF@microsoft.com...
> > Dustin,
> >
> > I was wondering about WEP vs. WPA and glad that you posted this. I am
> > still
> > unsure what the exacts steps I should take, can you advise?
> >
> > "Dustin Harper" wrote:
> >
> >> Previous post said WEP. Try WPA, it's a bit more secure, but still not
> >> perfect. WEP is VERY easy to crack, WPA is more difficult, but not
> >> impossible. Also, turn off the SSI broadcast on your router. Only the
> >> die-hard people would find and/or hack into your setup.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Dustin Harper
> >> dharper@vistarip.com
> >> http://www.VistaRIP.com | Vista Resource & Information Page
> >>
> >>
> >> "ROBCIS" <ROBCIS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:BC5AF454-2CC8-4E81-BAE0-AE3C59E44506@microsoft.com...
> >> > Need help.
> >> >
> >> > I am attempting to set up Wireless network security. I have the
> >> > following
> >> > equipment:
> >> > Netgear wireless router
> >> > Comcast Arris modem which connects internet, telephone and cable
> >> > Dell Dimension running Vista Home Basic (connected to router via cable)
> >> > Dell Dimension running Windows XP (wireless connected)
> >> > IBM ThinkPad running Windows XP (wireless connected)
> >> >
> >> > My goal is to secure my wireless connection from outside intrusion.
> >> >
> >> > What steps should I take to set this up? Since one of my desk tops is
> >> > running wirelessly should I set up the security via that PC?
> >> >
> >> > Any help and direction is appreciated.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks,
> >>
>
 
Hank,

Thanks much.

"Hank Arnold (MVP)" wrote:

> Dustin Harper wrote:
> > Previous post said WEP. Try WPA, it's a bit more secure, but still not
> > perfect. WEP is VERY easy to crack, WPA is more difficult, but not
> > impossible. Also, turn off the SSI broadcast on your router. Only the
> > die-hard people would find and/or hack into your setup.
> >
>
> Another thing that may help is to set the security so that only specific
> MAC addresses are allowed into the router.
>
> --
>
> Regards,
> Hank Arnold
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Server - Directory Services
>
 
On Sun, 03 Feb 2008 08:35:19 -0500, Hank Arnold (MVP) wrote:

> Dustin Harper wrote:
>> Previous post said WEP. Try WPA, it's a bit more secure, but still not
>> perfect. WEP is VERY easy to crack, WPA is more difficult, but not
>> impossible. Also, turn off the SSI broadcast on your router. Only the
>> die-hard people would find and/or hack into your setup.
>>
>
> Another thing that may help is to set the security so that only specific
> MAC addresses are allowed into the router.

MAC filtering is pretty much a waste of time when it comes to WiFi security
as spoofing a MAC address is a very trivial endeavor.
--
Paul Adare
MVP - Virtual Machines
http://www.identit.ca
No line available at 300 baud.
 
Nothing is foolproof. If a dedicated person really wants to get in,
they will. But, there are plenty of things you can do to keep out 99%
of other Joe Schmoes. Some are harder to do than others, so do whatever
you feel comfortable with:
- Change the default username/password to access your router
- Change the default IP address range. For example, I think linksys
is almost always 192.168.1.xxx. You can change it to say
192.168.100.xxx
- Enable WEP or WPA (WPA2 being more secure)
- Enable MAC filtering to allow only your MAC addresses to connect
- Restrict the number of DHCP clients to 3 (or however many devices
you have) will help, since it will be harder for another computer to
grab in IP address
- Don't broadcast your SSID
- Enable the integrated firewall in your router if available.You should do all these from the wired desktop, in case you fudge a
setting, you'll still be able to connect. And be ready to reset your
router back to factory defaults if necessary...it happens. :)


--
duucfho

-*windows vista enterprise 32-bit
intel core2duo e6400 @ 3.2ghz
2gb pc2-6400 patriot extreme performance 4-4-4-12 @1000 mhz
nvidia 8800 gts 320mb @ 640mhz core
ocz gamexstream 700w psu
antec nine hundred
*-
 
So is breaking WEP. But, for the average user with a nosey neighbor, it is
enough to get by. If you want more security, there are a lot more things
that can be done.

--
Dustin Harper
dharper@vistarip.com
http://www.VistaRIP.com | Vista Resource & Information Page


"Paul Adare" . wrote in message
news:191s16asermoi$.1o76m46fnwphd$.dlg@40tude.net...
> On Sun, 03 Feb 2008 08:35:19 -0500, Hank Arnold (MVP) wrote:
>
>> Dustin Harper wrote:
>>> Previous post said WEP. Try WPA, it's a bit more secure, but still not
>>> perfect. WEP is VERY easy to crack, WPA is more difficult, but not
>>> impossible. Also, turn off the SSI broadcast on your router. Only the
>>> die-hard people would find and/or hack into your setup.
>>>
>>
>> Another thing that may help is to set the security so that only specific
>> MAC addresses are allowed into the router.
>
> MAC filtering is pretty much a waste of time when it comes to WiFi
> security
> as spoofing a MAC address is a very trivial endeavor.
> --
> Paul Adare
> MVP - Virtual Machines
> http://www.identit.ca
> No line available at 300 baud.
 
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