Wi-Fi Security

Willbo · 3 Oct 2007 at 00:54

I've just set up a wireless network with a Linksys WRT54GL wireless cable router. I've got my pc and laptop setup on it, accessing the internet.

At the moment (apart from the firewall) there is no security, what would be the best form of security i can set up in the Linksys setup program and how would I set it up and use the network in the future?
My options are WPA Personal, WPA Enterprise, WPA2 Personal, WPA2 Enterprise, RADIUS and WEP

GeForce · 3 Oct 2007 at 07:12

WPA Personal or WPA2 Personal.

Don't leave it on with no security!

And WEP is pretty useless to be quite honest.

Jon

Willbo · 3 Oct 2007 at 08:22

No, I want to get security on it asap. Just don't know what settings to use.

I've selected WPA Personal, but it now asks about a shared key and algorithms

http://img138.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=96060_Untitled_122_396lo.jpg

monkeygremlin · 3 Oct 2007 at 09:45

Willbo said:
I've selected WPA Personal, but it now asks about a shared key and algorithms

I've only done this once before about 6 months ago but from what I remember the shared key is basically a password you create and then use when setting up the connections on the client PCs. I think.

steinooo · 3 Oct 2007 at 11:09

WEP isn't completely useless, and its all I can use as I like playing my DS online through it

GSDog · 3 Oct 2007 at 11:57

Willbo said:
No, I want to get security on it asap. Just don't know what settings to use.

I've selected WPA Personal, but it now asks about a shared key and algorithms

http://img138.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=96060_Untitled_122_396lo.jpg

You need to choose a secure password and type it in that Pre-shared key field - the password that you choose will need to be added to all the client's PC's.
I suggest you use a very secure password, don't use any dictionary words, etc. I would recommend using the website below to generate a 64 digit pass.
http://www.kurtm.net/wpa-pskgen/

Willbo · 3 Oct 2007 at 18:06

Just thought, I need to be able to keep it so that my Nintendo Wii can connect to the internet. Don't know if this will many any difference to what security option is best.

csmager · 3 Oct 2007 at 18:27

Willbo said:
Just thought, I need to be able to keep it so that my Nintendo Wii can connect to the internet. Don't know if this will many any difference to what security option is best.

Probably just WPA-PSK (WPA Personal) - don't think the Wii supports WPA2.

Willbo · 3 Oct 2007 at 19:13

So if I set up the router as WPA Personal, and give it a random key. That should work ok?

Will I need to give the key anytime myself or another person tries to log onto the network then?

csmager · 3 Oct 2007 at 19:20

Willbo said:
So if I set up the router as WPA Personal, and give it a random key. That should work ok?

Will I need to give the key anytime myself or another person tries to log onto the network then?

For a Windows PC using Wireless Zero (built in), you just double click the network and it'll ask for a key. Type in the password you chose, and it'll connect (and save it forevermore...)

Teal · 3 Oct 2007 at 19:28

stokefan said:
WEP isn't completely useless, and its all I can use as I like playing my DS online through it

I think you are in denial

If anyone actually wanted to crack into your network WEP would only slow them down while they stopped laughing.

The only people you are keeping out are those who can't be bothered to type 'how to crack WEP' into google.

I know it is frustrating if you really can't use anything better but I would suggest you behave as though you have no protection on your network and secure your data in other ways if it is important to you.

The odds of you being a target are low of course, just don't believe that WEP is actually offering you protection.

Sp00n · 4 Oct 2007 at 00:10

it's shocking how easy even wpa is to crack.

i wouldn't worry though just don't leave it without encryption unless you want neighbourss tealin your bandwidth. lol.

Delboy · 4 Oct 2007 at 00:17

I've also set mine up so that only known MAC addresses can connect to the wireless access point - can you do the same also?

Sp00n · 4 Oct 2007 at 00:28

Delboy said:
I've also set mine up so that only known MAC addresses can connect to the wireless access point - can you do the same also?

a good plan.

csmager · 4 Oct 2007 at 09:41

Sp00n said:
it's shocking how easy even wpa is to crack.

It's not - it's dictionary or brute force only, so if your password's long and complex enough, it could take many, many years. Unlike WEP, which is fundamentally flawed and takes about 10 minutes max.