How do I secure my wireless network?

[kelly23]

Hi,

I have a router on my main pc and a wireless network card on my laptop. How can I secure them so that people can't steal bandwidth or something worse?

I'm clueless in the networking area.

Thanks a bunch,

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

What router do you have? Brand name and model.

[bathurst_guy]

I am guessing you have a 802.11 wireless network, in which case it is IMPOSSIBLE to secure. You can encrypt it using the WEP, but with a good lynix bootable CD which has programs such as Airsnort on it, I can crack it in less than half an hour. Although this is considered illegal in most places, so you could then state that you are secure to a legal degree.

[kelly23]

Hi,

It's Netgear Model MR814v2.

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

Read this (http://kbserver.netgear.com/inquira/default.asp?ui_mode=answer&prior_transaction_id=1343222&action_code=5&highlight_info=16778022,10,19&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fkbserver.netgear.com%2Fkb_web_files%2Fn101158.asp&answer_id=173956681). You should have a control panel, type this into your address bar. http://192.168.0.1 a login box should come up, hopefully you have the password to this. Once logged in follow the steps in the link I gave you. If you need a copy of your reference manual just in case you lost it, you can obtain it here http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/mr814v2.asp

[kelly23]

Unfortunately, I don't have the password. :( I remember the Netgear Support person walking me through the setup a couple of years ago.

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

Then read this (http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/N100651.asp).

[kelly23]

Thanks a bunch. I'm working on it now and I may be back if I have problems. :)

Thanks again!

[hdtvtechno]

Setting up WAP will be more secure then WEP

[Bash0rz]

you should use mac addresses! the best way to stop people getting on.