WEP security

[larry]

OK. I finally went wireless with a linksys router. My question is I know the WEP is important but I can see other wireless networks if I view all connections. I know its from neighbors but is WEP all I need to be secure? How do you get on a network from a connection like this? I want to know so I can protect myself. Thanks

My Network is a cable modem going to a Cable router then to a 16 port switch to my new wireless/4 port cable router.

[dougkinzinger]

I would enable WPA with TKIP personally. I like that better than plain old WEP, and I don't think it's as much of a performance hit. But you'll have to install all the updates to XP at this point.

[Pencilmonkey]

Wep is good and secure, but you probably don't need it as it eats up a fair amount of your bandwidth (about 20%).

Turn off broadcasting at the access point (the access point doesn't broadcast that a wireless network exists, but relies on a PC knowing that it is there) then authenticate via MAC and IP adress.

Most people leave the broadcasting option enabled, that kills 'em.

[Garry]

I always use WEP, but WPA is a newer standard and you should use this if your equipment supports it. To set WEP up, however, I recommend you use a computer wired to the router. Find your security settings, turn on 128 bit WEP and away you go. What I usually do it just enter 26 of the same digit into the WEP Key 1 field. I.e.

"55555555555555555555555555"

I know this isn't very secure and could be easily brute forced, but WEP is only stage one of my security. My wireless network doesn't extend much outside of my house anyway. I mainly use it as a deterent. Anyway, all you need to do then is make sure your PCs then connect to the wireless network using your new WEP key. On WindowsXP, this is done in the properties for your Wireless Network Connection in Network Connections.

If you're really worried about security, I would turn off SSID broadcasting and enable MAC Address filtering so that only machines (or at least their network adapters) with specific hardware addresses can connect to the network.

I don't need to tell you to make sure your internal network is secured, using the correct persmissions and passwords where necessary.

[larry]

ok I just don't want people in my neighborhood access internet from my house? When I 1st got the WI-FI working I could see the SSID default of a neighbor and I could connect to internet on their wireless router

[Premgenius]

use Pencilmonkey method

[+BudMan MVC]

Even with the overhead of wep, I am pretty sure that his wireless bandwidth is still far faster than internet connection bandwdith. So who really cares if your running at full wireless speed when his inet connection is no higher than 3. This would be UNnoticed overhead. Now if your using wireless to xfer files across your lan - then yes you might notice it. But who uses wireless for that - if the man function of your lan is the xfer of files between machines on the lan, then go wired - 100 or 1000 sure going to blow away anything wireless can do, even with wep turned off ;)

And I do agree make sure your router only allows the MAC of your wireless card, and turn off SSID broadcast as PM suggest - but LEAVE wep on as well!

[larry]

Schaumburg? I live in Arlington Heights

[+BudMan MVC]

Its a small world isn't it, Any closer - and I would be able to use your WAP for my internet connection ;)

[larry]

yea but not for long..lol

[dougkinzinger]

I live in Normal (Bloomington) and am frequently in the city (Chicago) and Naperville. Neowin's next gathering must be in Schaumburg at Dave & Busters!!!!! :D

[Intelligen]

Well the average user only uses the access point for Internet, not anything else, if they transfer files, i'm sure its wired....... so 20% of bandwidth, no biggie, not like cable internet is more than 11 megs/sec, more like 1 or 2.

[larry]

dave and busters sounds good or gameworks