Step by Step XP wireless network security
21 September 2005, 09:49 PM
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Step by Step XP wireless network security
Got my Netgear 834GT up and running but the network authentication is setup as open and the data encryption is disabled. Can anyone point me at a SIMPLE guide to securing the network, probably WEP is fine. I did try changing the encryption to WEP but the wireless connection failed. I'm likely to have a couple of laptops and a couple of desktops on the network eventually. I'm running Zonealarm as well.
Kevin.
Kevin.
21 September 2005, 10:44 PM
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I got that one 
Easiest place to start is to restrict your router to only accept specific MAC addresses (hardware address of your network card, everyone is unique)
Get to a command prompt and type ipconfig /all (on all p.c.'s that want to connect)
look for the bit that says physical address (a series of 2 numbers separated by dashes)
write that number down.
Also write down the Host Name of the p.c. (first line that comes up as near as damn)
Sign into the box (url is 192.168.0.1 by default)
Click on Wireless settings
Untick that broadcast name setting - this is the one that advertises its existance
(you can change things like Auto 108mbps as well and use extended range - I have)
Click Apply
Now see that bit that says Wireless Access list? Click on that.
Tick the box at the top that says Turn Wireless Control On
At you should see a list of devices that are broadcasting their wireless card MAC address, look for ones that correspond to ones that you KNOW you want to connect, click Add
Otherwise add the entries in manually at the bit at the bottom
Click Apply
Easiest place to start is to restrict your router to only accept specific MAC addresses (hardware address of your network card, everyone is unique)
Get to a command prompt and type ipconfig /all (on all p.c.'s that want to connect)
look for the bit that says physical address (a series of 2 numbers separated by dashes)
write that number down.
Also write down the Host Name of the p.c. (first line that comes up as near as damn)
Sign into the box (url is 192.168.0.1 by default)
Click on Wireless settings
Untick that broadcast name setting - this is the one that advertises its existance
(you can change things like Auto 108mbps as well and use extended range - I have)
Click Apply
Now see that bit that says Wireless Access list? Click on that.
Tick the box at the top that says Turn Wireless Control On
At you should see a list of devices that are broadcasting their wireless card MAC address, look for ones that correspond to ones that you KNOW you want to connect, click Add
Otherwise add the entries in manually at the bit at the bottom
Click Apply
21 September 2005, 10:49 PM
#3
Actually the very first thing to do is to change the default password for the router!
Set up the router with a computer that is connected by ethernet for the moment. Once at least one other comp can talk by wireless, then you can disconnect the last machine if you want to run all as wireless.
Next make a new SSID and memorise it. It can be any set of up to (IIRC) 15 characters. Now turn "Broadcast SSID?" off - that way no-one else can see your network. You will need to set that SSID on every machine connected to the network.
Don't use WEP, but use WPA. Again, pick a word/phrase up up to about 24 characters. Try to avoid spaces. This goes under "Advanced" IIRC.
M
Set up the router with a computer that is connected by ethernet for the moment. Once at least one other comp can talk by wireless, then you can disconnect the last machine if you want to run all as wireless.
Next make a new SSID and memorise it. It can be any set of up to (IIRC) 15 characters. Now turn "Broadcast SSID?" off - that way no-one else can see your network. You will need to set that SSID on every machine connected to the network.
Don't use WEP, but use WPA. Again, pick a word/phrase up up to about 24 characters. Try to avoid spaces. This goes under "Advanced" IIRC.
M
21 September 2005, 10:50 PM
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Next is the enncryption:
Back at the wireless settings screen - look down the bottom at where it lists the encryption options
Choose WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key)
Then in the box below add in a PASS PHRASE... something easy to remember like:
IREALLYLOVEMYSCOOBY, or KIERANISGODLIKEINHISKNOWLEDGE
When people first connect to your network, on top of the MAC address they will need to type in this passphrase....
Click Apply
Oh yeah - change the password for your router
Back at the wireless settings screen - look down the bottom at where it lists the encryption options
Choose WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key)
Then in the box below add in a PASS PHRASE... something easy to remember like:
IREALLYLOVEMYSCOOBY, or KIERANISGODLIKEINHISKNOWLEDGE
When people first connect to your network, on top of the MAC address they will need to type in this passphrase....
Click Apply
Oh yeah - change the password for your router
21 September 2005, 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted by _Meridian_
Actually the very first thing to do is to change the default password for the router!
Set up the router with a computer that is connected by ethernet for the moment. Once at least one other comp can talk by wireless, then you can disconnect the last machine if you want to run all as wireless.
Next make a new SSID and memorise it. It can be any set of up to (IIRC) 15 characters. Now turn "Broadcast SSID?" off - that way no-one else can see your network. You will need to set that SSID on every machine connected to the network.
Don't use WEP, but use WPA. Again, pick a word/phrase up up to about 24 characters. Try to avoid spaces. This goes under "Advanced" IIRC.
M
Set up the router with a computer that is connected by ethernet for the moment. Once at least one other comp can talk by wireless, then you can disconnect the last machine if you want to run all as wireless.
Next make a new SSID and memorise it. It can be any set of up to (IIRC) 15 characters. Now turn "Broadcast SSID?" off - that way no-one else can see your network. You will need to set that SSID on every machine connected to the network.
Don't use WEP, but use WPA. Again, pick a word/phrase up up to about 24 characters. Try to avoid spaces. This goes under "Advanced" IIRC.
M
Doing it in stages... 'cos I hate typing loads and then losing the blasted page
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