Pabs Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 i used to have a carPC too... i think i managed to find over 100 unprotected networks in a town which probably didnt have more than 500 residents! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyotasuprauk Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 I don’t really see the point in a wireless network at home. The computer still needs to be plugged into the mains, and all the other cables etc. Seems like a bit of a fashion accessory that all the broadband companies have to supply wireless routers these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 What other cables? My laptop is plugged into the mains, but not anything else. I wouldn't be without wireless now. I like the fact that I can sit on the sofa and use it without going to the "computer room". I haven't actually used my desktop PC since my g/f moved in - but it's useful having it since it keeps her off my laptop! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyotasuprauk Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 If you have a laptop you can take to the sofa/desk/bedroom etc then I can see it would be useful. I was thinking more about having a desktop machine on a desk like me I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 If you have a laptop you can take to the sofa/desk/bedroom etc then I can see it would be useful. I was thinking more about having a desktop machine on a desk like me I suppose. lol, we know your game! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 And for reference, It's possible to crack WEP in about 10-20mins, if not quicker. WPA is far more secure - if you've got it - use it! It's also possible to hack a website in 30secs, it's also possible to SQL Inject microsoft, it's also possible to XSS 80% of all websites.............and? This comment is very misleading pablo. WPA and WEP are both only as secure as you make them. Using long random keys containing a wide variety of characters make both methods pretty strong. The scenario you refer to is more common when people use common words or phrases "dog" or "holiday" or "mynameisdave". Yes, we can all sit outside a house with an orinocco card and sniff for 10minutes, then use a nix tool to crack the WEP but WEP was never supposed to be a really secure traffic encryption crypt, it was only ever designed to stop instant misuse of AP's. The point being that it requires effort, an attacker would rather use the 50 open AP's than bother with one which has any level of protection. WPA-PSK (less secure than PEAP) is still commonly used in a home environment and still open to brute force (as any encryption method is). I'm not saying anything you have said is false but having worked in internet security for some time, I think it is far more important simply to educate on the pros/cons than scaremongering by giving out random 'facts' with no context. MHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Securing wireless: 1. If you have adjustable signal stength, reduce the range as much as possible. Obviously portability is why you hooked up the wireless, don't make it available to your whole road - the don't need it 2. Enable TKIP, it's a layer above WEP and is designed to strengthen it. 3. Enabl 128bit WEP, it's a mild layer of protection but a layer nonetheless. 4. Change your default SSID(s) and again, use something random, your house name/number is not a good idea. 5. Limit access by MAC address, again it isn't foolproof but you are making it more difficult for an attacker with each step. 6. If you are using DHCP (most will be in a home environment), limit the number of addresses to th maximum number of machines likley to be used on the network. Try 2 or 3 first as you can always expand it later. 7. CHANGE THE DEFAULT PASSWORDS. Your router or access point(s) will all have a factory default password, make sure you change it. If you don't you may as well leave your front door open and invite attackers in. Create a complex non--format password, if only alphanumerics are allowed then unlucky. If you can, use ASCII as well. e.g. "i9Djs╚Ä☼jj*a.c$hs9s9lq888q" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 I don’t really see the point in a wireless network at home. The computer still needs to be plugged into the mains, and all the other cables etc. Seems like a bit of a fashion accessory that all the broadband companies have to supply wireless routers these days.I have a wireless network so that the kids' PCs in their bedrooms can connect to the net without me having to run network cables all over the house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 I have a wireless network so that the kids' PCs in their bedrooms can connect to the net without me having to run network cables all over the house. ......I have a number of laptops......bit pointless carrying wires around with it while I work in the kitchen/office/lounge/dining room. TBH, it's a bit like saying a cordless phone is pointless as you can just use a corded phone.....except when you are moving around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabs Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Lewis - totally understood mate - i was just trying to point out that even those with WEP configured (as most routers come with instructions for this setup now) need to keep an eye on their network, to make sure that people haven't decided to crack the key. Router instruction manuals VERY rarely point out the other security measures, like MAC/DHCP/SSID Broadcast/WPA/Default pwd's etc. Sorry if i did mislead - but i needed to put it into perspective somehow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabs Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 ......I have a number of laptops......bit pointless carrying wires around with it while I work in the kitchen/office/lounge/dining room. TBH, it's a bit like saying a cordless phone is pointless as you can just use a corded phone.....except when you are moving around Very well put mate - I got rid of all 3 desktop PC's as they took up so much space. 3 laptops now sit in bags in cupboards when not used - leaving the rooms clutter-free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Lewis - totally understood mate - i was just trying to point out that even those with WEP configured (as most routers come with instructions for this setup now) need to keep an eye on their network, to make sure that people haven't decided to crack the key. Router instruction manuals VERY rarely point out the other security measures, like MAC/DHCP/SSID Broadcast/WPA/Default pwd's etc. Sorry if i did mislead - but i needed to put it into perspective somehow. Fair enough mate, can't argue with that. It is difficult to find a balance between giving people the right info and not scaring them out of using the wireless which was supposed to make their lives easier. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyotasuprauk Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Ok I can see it does have a use for a lot of people now! I still bet loads of people have one sat on their desktop machine on a fixed desk about 0.5 away from the router. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrad Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 I must admit I'm one of the numpties that bought my router from PC World and have no encryption/security at all - my network is unsecure. That said, my nearest neighbour is half a mile away. I keep meaning to sort it out but just setting the damn thing up in the first place was an absolute PITA. Anyone know what I need to do? My router is a Linksys. Oh, and is it possible to boost signal of the router? I can only get a signal in rooms fairly close to the computer room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 e.g. "i9Djs╚Ä☼jj*a.c$hs9s9lq888q" Dead easy to remember too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabs Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Conrad, this link might help a bit: http://www.jiwire.com/linksys-wrt-54g-setup-usability.htm But just to show you screenshots of the router web-interface etc, and has some good basic advice on. Just make sure that when you configure WEP (or preferably WPA) you write/note down the key that you use, because when you press "Save" on the router, and the router reboots, you'll need to enter the same key on your laptop(s)/PC(s) in order to reconnect to the network. I always configure 1 element of security at a time - and check that all works well before moving onto the next step. Otherwise you won't know which bit is configured correctly. An example of what I'd do to install a new wireless network: 1. Find the MAC address(es) of the PC/laptops you have (one way to find this is to run ipconfig /all from a command prompt) 2. Install wireless router in default settings, and test. 3. Change default password on router. 4. Change default SSID of network. 5. Change IP address of router to something non-standard. 6. Limit/switch off DHCP, and test. 7. Switch off SSID Broadcasting, and test. 8. Implement WPA/WEP key, (use special characters, ASCII etc if possible) and test 9. Implement MAC address filtering, and test. Further steps to help: 1. If you only use 802.11g (ie all devices are 54mb capable) then switch wireless to "g" only - stops anyone on a "b" connection from getting on. 2. Make sure the firewall on the router (if you have one) is set to high. 3. Block ICMP Ping, if available 4. Switch OFF Remote administration (unless you plan to configure your router remotely of course ) 5. Randomly change the security key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrad Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Pablo = top bloke! Thanks for the detailed reply matey, I'll have a crack at that in a bit. Will give you a shout if i get stuck, thanks mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabs Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 No worries mate - i've not really done anything other than echo what everyone has said on here, in 1 post. You don't need to do it all TBH - especially if you don't have any close neighbours. I'd say steps 3,4,7 and 8 would be enough for you? But if you are confident do the rest As for making the signal strength greater, some of the routers have a "long range" mode (mine seems to) which is supposed to increase the power output from the router. Not actually noticed any difference though - but i can get my laptop to link to it from the car, which is 2 flights of stairs and about 80m away from my flat Some routers also have the option for additional antenna.. but they tend to be business models and not the home-user routers sold in PC World etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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