Im amazed - network setup

MNuTz · 12 Dec 2006 at 15:32

Well my broadband account with Aquiss was setup today, so i moved my PC round to the house and set it all up.

I removed the old network card (the old sort using round cables) and installed a new Belkin Gigabit Desktop Network PCI card (from OCUK) and that went fine.

Then for the tricky part.....the router. Having never installed one in my life i was slightly worried but im always up for a challenge. However i was quite disappointed. The Netgear DG834G has to be the simplest thing ever to install, the user friendly walkthrough was so easy to understand my nan could have set it up. Its taken me 30 minutes to install both and get on here to type this. I really am amazed at the ease of it.

I have a few questions though.

1) Do i need to run a firewall anymore?

2) I want to use the wifi to connect to the net via my 2 DSLites, so i set it up to run 64bit WEP. Any problems with this?

3) Anything else i need to take into account?

Im dead chuffed, adsl is working fine and ive just connected mariokartDS for some multiplayer action.

Energize · 12 Dec 2006 at 16:36

Don't use wep, it takes less than 5 mins to crack 128bit wep with freely avalible software that anyone could use.

The router blocks all incoming ports so you don't need a firewall.

branddaly · 12 Dec 2006 at 16:41

MNuTz said:
I have a few questions though.

1) Do i need to run a firewall anymore?

Not really, only ports you open will allow access in. But everything is allowed out, so if you are in the habit of downloading trojans etc... they it may be worth you leaving windows firewall or similar on to block the outgoing traffic.

2) I want to use the wifi to connect to the net via my 2 DSLites, so i set it up to run 64bit WEP. Any problems with this?

No, nice and easy to hack if you transmit enough data over it. My prefered set up. Though if you don't want people like me piggy backing your network too easily you could use WPA if the DSLites support it.

3) Anything else i need to take into account?

um.....Have a good xmas?

MNuTz · 12 Dec 2006 at 16:48

thanks for the info.

THe only thing that is currently using the wifi is the DSlites, everything else will be wired in. Going to see what the DS supports.

Kol · 12 Dec 2006 at 17:27

Energize said:
Don't use wep, it takes less than 5 mins to crack 128bit wep with freely avalible software that anyone could use.

The router blocks all incoming ports so you don't need a firewall.

Really?

I thought it was only possible to do it with Linux?

If not, email in trust. I'd like to see how secure my setup is. Can't use WPA as the signal goes screwy at the other end of the house. I tried using two WRT54GS and bridging them, but made little difference to her signal.

Glaucus · 12 Dec 2006 at 17:44

I would still use wep if you in a flat or semi detached/terraced house, stops your neighbours using you connection.

Kol · 12 Dec 2006 at 17:49

Thanks for the email Brandon

daven1986 · 12 Dec 2006 at 17:56

Mikol said:
Really? I thought it was only possible to do it with Linux?

If not, email in trust. I'd like to see how secure my setup is. Can't use WPA as the signal goes screwy at the other end of the house. I tried using two WRT54GS and bridging them, but made little difference to her signal.

is linux not freely available software????

Energize · 12 Dec 2006 at 17:57

I meant windows progams.

You should always use the best encryption your router offers, all the other stuff like ssid masking, mac filtering etc doesn't offer any protection against a determined cracker as it's so easy to get round it.

If your having a problem with signal strength, 802.11n routers offer much better signal strength.

FunkyT · 12 Dec 2006 at 17:59

AcidHell2 said:
I would still use wep if you in a flat or semi detached/terraced house, stops your neighbours using you connection.

Any particular reason for not using WPA-PSK encryption?

Edit: Just read your reason for using WEP

Kol · 12 Dec 2006 at 18:21

daven1986 said:
is linux not freely available software????

My point is, the average Joe doesn't have the knowledge to understand Linux. Granted, on this forum a lot of us do, but the average guy on the street is quite happy with Windows and give him Linux and a command prompt wouldn't have the patience to bother to learn just to use someones internet.

Energize said:
I meant windows progams. You should always use the best encryption your router offers, all the other stuff like ssid masking, mac filtering etc doesn't offer any protection against a determined cracker as it's so easy to get round it.

If your having a problem with signal strength, 802.11n routers offer much better signal strength.

I since know of said program

Anyhoo, I'm not too fussed about investing in anymore routers. I won't be living with anyone next year as I' on placement and I'm happy safe in the knowledge my laptop can connect WPA-PSK which is enough for the time being until I need to buy a new router.

Energize · 12 Dec 2006 at 18:25

MNuTz said:
thanks for the info.

THe only thing that is currently using the wifi is the DSlites, everything else will be wired in. Going to see what the DS supports.

If you want to be really paranoid you should know that even if only the ds is using the connection it's possible to gain access to the wired network as well.

Clarkey · 12 Dec 2006 at 19:09

branddaly said:
MNuTz said:

2) I want to use the wifi to connect to the net via my 2 DSLites, so i set it up to run 64bit WEP. Any problems with this?

No, nice and easy to hack if you transmit enough data over it.

Click to expand...

Doesn't matter if you don't transmit a damn thing over it, still hack it in 5 minutes easy as pie.