Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (
More info?)
On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 00:47:13 GMT, Gordon <gordonlr@DELETEswbell.net>
wrote:
>On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 21:23:00 GMT, Doug Jamal
><bishiv6AT@yahooDOT.com> wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 01:00:49 GMT, Gordon <gordonlr@DELETEswbell.net>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>I have my Linksys WAG54G set up and working very well, now. This
>>>is a home network system that is connected to a DSL service. Thus
>>>far I have left the Wireless Security Mode set for Disabled. I am
>>>really not very apprehensive, since we live in a rather quite
>>>locality and thus far I have not detected any other wireless
>>>activity within range of my WAG54G. However, I do realize that
>>>someone could drive down our street and find our signal, then do
>>>some snooping. I don't have any critical files set up to be
>>>shared, but I would still prefer that no intrusions were likely
>>>to happen. What are the best security settings in a case like
>>>mine?
>>>
>>>Should I limit the number of stations that can access this
>>>network? If so, how can I do this such that my laptop's slot
>>>won't be available when the laptop is not turned on and logged
>>>onto the network?
>>In my opinion, you should make every attempt to secure your wireless
>>network. Even if you live in a quiet and remote area, your wireless
>>signal, under the perfect circumstances, may travel far beyond your
>>area. At the moment, you may not have any critical files on your pc,
>>however, if you create and receive email, then you have critical
>>information available to a would-be hacker and besides, you may
>>inadvertently give out the names of all your email buddies as well as
>>their email address. This could be a spammer's dream. Anyway, if you
>>have WEP, WPA (radius) or WPA-PSK available to you, pick one and use
>>it. It is preferred that you use WPA or WPA-PSK encryption. This
>>will at least secure the traffic sent from your wireless device to the
>>AP and vice-versa. MAC address filtering should also be available.
>>It's not foolproof, but it is another layer of defense. I hope this
>>information helps you. Take care.
>>
>Thanks, Doug, this is the information I was looking for. My
>WAG54G setup has WPA Pre-Shared Key, WPA RADIUS, RADIUS and WEP.
>
>I assume a choice has to be made, then carefully set each
>computer to the same Wireless Security Mode. I tried this, but
>kept getting a total failure of the network. I guess I need to go
>back through the manual and re-read the setup instructions.
>
>I think part of my problem may stem from the fact that Microsoft
>automatically makes some settings on two of the computers, but
>for some reason does not have any control on my desktop system.
>
Hi Gordon. What OS are you using? Unless otherwise stated, I will
assume it is windows xp. If I am correct, I suggest that you update
xp to SP-2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=049c9dbe-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&DisplayLang=en
and then install the update to SP-2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=36dd19df-bc5e-44b7-a339-6794d97994a2&DisplayLang=en
The SP-2 update makes wireless networking with WPA and WPA-PSK
encryption, using the windows wireless zero configuration utility, a
breeze. Anyway, go to your router's configuration menu and locate the
security settings. If you do not have a radius server to communicate
with, then choose the WPA-PSK. The wording may be different. For
instance, some router indicate WPA (radius) and WPA (non-radius).
After selecting WPA-PSK, you might see TKIP and/or AES. These are
ciphers. If you see AES, choose it because it is the most secure at
this time. If not, TKIP will definitely suffice. Now create a long
nonsense passphrase and type it where indicated.. For example:
bQ2hrTqo CjyOTYRUegSdKEl9QVmeKhZm4Ma0B2jwaGIRq1goarKxNPxjpmeru7.
Copy the passphrase because when you finish, you will have to enter it
into your card's configuration menu or the windows zero configuration
menu under WPA-PSK. Click apply or okay then exit the utility. Now
pull up the card's utility or the windows wireless zero configuration
utility. Basically, do the same as above. By the way, update the
firmware of the card and router, if available prior to starting this
procedure. Let me know how it turn out. Take care.
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