secure wireless network

[rkcoll1]

I am a newbie when it comes to networks. I recently purchased a laptop and a wireless router. I have it set up and working fine. I noticed when I have my laptop shutdown I still see the wireless indicator light on my router blinking as if I was using the connection. Is there someone possibly using my connection? I do not remember having to set up a password when I was installing the router. Also the documentation that came with the router is pretty limited. I would like my network to be password protected, but do not know how to check if it already is or not. Any suggestions?

[kitchj]

a model number of your router would be helpful.

You should be able to open your router's admin page in a browser. If you don't know the IP, you can open a command prompt and do an 'ipconfig'. The default gateway will be the router's ip.

Somewhere in the menus should be the option to setup security. Setup WPA, and you'll be all set. It's hard to get more specific than that without knowing what router you have.

[rkcoll1]

a model number of your router would be helpful.

You should be able to open your router's admin page in a browser. If you don't know the IP, you can open a command prompt and do an 'ipconfig'. The default gateway will be the router's ip.

Somewhere in the menus should be the option to setup security. Setup WPA, and you'll be all set. It's hard to get more specific than that without knowing what router you have.

Thanks for the tips, I have a netgear WGT 624v4 router. I will setup WPA and see what happens.

[phat78boy]

You should also make sure to change the the admin name(if possible) and password. This is what allows you to log into the config page.

I would also suggest turning of broadcast and when you make your password use both upper and lower case letters as well as a number and a symbol.

[rkcoll1]

You should also make sure to change the the admin name(if possible) and password. This is what allows you to log into the config page.

I would also suggest turning of broadcast and when you make your password use both upper and lower case letters as well as a number and a symbol.

Thanks for the tips guys, I can always count on quick and reliable answers here. That is why I love this place. Plus where else can you talk to a bunch of tech junkies like myself? Thanks again guys.

[funhouse69]

If you want the most security possible (other than going with wired) then the tips are:

1) Change the Admin Password of the Router to something somewhat complex
2) Change The Default SSID of the Router
3) Disable SSID Broadcast
4) Enable and use MAC filtering
5) Use the highest possible encryption that is supported by the Wireless Router as well as the client.

While I know that this is somewhat in depth and a total pain in the butt but if you do all of these steps then the chances of someone hijacking your connection or even worse snooping your data is very difficult.

[Doug Brott]

You can always turn off your wireless router when you are not using it as well, but that is not convenient for everyone. The plus side of doing this means there is no way to even connect if someone had the skills. The downside is that it may take longer to initialize each time you want to get on the Internet.

[P Smith]

I can tell you - only 1) and 5) with WPA/WPA2 are usefully; all others are discoverable in 1 minute and creates false impression of security.

If you want the most security possible (other than going with wired) then the tips are:

1) Change the Admin Password of the Router to something somewhat complex
2) Change The Default SSID of the Router
3) Disable SSID Broadcast
4) Enable and use MAC filtering
5) Use the highest possible encryption that is supported by the Wireless Router as well as the client.

While I know that this is somewhat in depth and a total pain in the butt but if you do all of these steps then the chances of someone hijacking your connection or even worse snooping your data is very difficult.

[HIPAR]

Most routers have a DHCP table that lists the MAC addresses of devices connected to the router. When you see suspicious activity you can check the table for intruders.

--- CHAS