Deep Singh

I've just bought a wireless router, its a pre-n jobbie with extra range. It says it comes with firewalls/encryption. Can my next door neighbours see what I'm viewing? I don't mean could someone on a mission view the stuff if they really tried, but can just anybody click on and view?

Thanks

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

i presume that is a belkin one - you need to switch on wireless encryption otherwise they can see, change, delete anything in the shared folders on your system and probably with some skill make further changes. Wireless is infinitely insecure unless encrypted.

mike1210

If you can use WPA encryption, MAC filtering and hide your SSID

worth a read, couple of years old now but a great guide

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/sho...php?t=17205432

edited to add this is good too

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ebruary10.mspx

mykp

Three ways to secure a wireless connection. As mike1210 quite rightly said,

One. Setup security. WPA should do the trick

Two. Set your DHCP server to only assign an IP address your your machine, IE MAC address. Also dont let it assign any more ip addresses.

Three. Set your router to hide your SSID, should be a tick box some where to hide your ssid.

In answer to your question, if you do the above then the only person who can see your network is you. If your really paranoid then make sure you dont have any shared folders on your machines.

Deep Singh

Hi.

1) How do I switch the encryption on? Or is it automatic?( It is a Belkin)

2) What is WPA?

3) How do I configure the MAC filter?

4) I've already set the router up, so how do I get it to hide SSID? Also what is SSID??

Thank you all very much for your help

Deep

_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

WPA is a type of encryption of thr wireless signal. It supercedes the rather poorer WEP encryption which older wireless kit had.

The SSID is the name of your particular network which identifies it to the outside world. This is mainly so that if you have a right to join a particular network then you know which of the networks you can see is yours. It must be set the same on all your devices, and is case dependant. Since you are going to hide it, pick something not to obvious. I think you are allowed 16 characters IIRC. Try something like "deepsingh1" (without the quotes) for instance.

Can't help with the rest because I don't know your router.


M

mark.coleman

Those are options and areas that you should be able to read about within the manual or pdf found on the CD. I strongly recommend you browse and read up a little on MAC access/filters lists, WEP & WPA security and hiding your SSID. It will certainly help you it's not too difficult. But as a pointer.

WPA is Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key, another type of wireless security, lets just say it's a little more stable than WEP.

MAC filtering is the process of creating a list of network card addresses that you allow to use your wireless router (think of them as group members). Your router will usually start creating a list of MAC addresses that are attempting connection, if you turn the filtering on, you can select which MAC addresses you want to allow access.

I'd have a look around the wireless settings in the GUI interface that you can access via your browser.

Deep Singh

Thanks. I'll have a look at the cd info again and read through the wireless set up programme on my lap top.

Does anybody know how I get hold of my ssid, I'm with BT Broadband

Thanks again for your help

mark.coleman

Your SSID is the name of your router, you will find it under the wireless settings