This may be a dumb question... (wireless router)

How do I ensure that my wireless network is secured? It's been unsecure for awhile now for the sake of convenience but it's not all that convenient when my connection is slowed while I'm playing BF3 due to others accessing my internet. I'd imagine it's fairly easy, hence me assuming it's a dumb question, but can anyone help me out? Much appreciated. :)

Use a password.MonsieurX

Yes, but where can I find the settings to do so?

Also chain it up to your desk. Can never be too carefulistuffedsunny

Is everyone in Computer Hardware Discussion always this helpful?

You will need to log into your router.

You may need to find the documentation for your router, but if you're lucky, everything you need will be on the bottom of the router.

Find your router IP (may be on the bottom of router, will be something like 192.168.0.1). Enter that into the address bar of your browser. This will take you to your routers settings.
You will probably need to log in, again, default username and password may be on the bottom of the router.

Then just make your way to wireless settings.

If you're router is unsecured, you may need to connect the the router via cable, not sure.

Look up the brand and model for your router, they each have default IP addresses and passwords.

Also since your connection is unsecured, you probably have tons of people using your internet for illegal activities and they will trace it to you and not them.

To configure a router, it is always best to use a cable to connect to it.

192.168.1.1 in browser
put default login

usually:

admin (blank)

(blank) admin

(blank) password
or admin admin
or admin password
go to security look for wifi password put one

Also don't bother with WEP, that is basically useless now.

Use wpa2

Don't forget to disable SSID broadcast.

Don't forget to disable SSID broadcast.

Rusteater

That's almost pointless, anyone who knows what they are doing will be able to see all the wifi APs whether they are broadcasting or not.

[QUOTE="Rusteater"]

Don't forget to disable SSID broadcast.

GummiRaccoon

That's almost pointless, anyone who knows what they are doing will be able to see all the wifi APs whether they are broadcasting or not.

[QUOTE="GummiRaccoon"]

[QUOTE="Rusteater"]

Don't forget to disable SSID broadcast.

FelipeInside

That's almost pointless, anyone who knows what they are doing will be able to see all the wifi APs whether they are broadcasting or not.

It's not even hard to do.

All you had to do was google it.

http://bit.ly/H70X01

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="GummiRaccoon"]

That's almost pointless, anyone who knows what they are doing will be able to see all the wifi APs whether they are broadcasting or not.

GummiRaccoon

It's not even hard to do.

All you had to do was google it.

http://bit.ly/H70X01

[QUOTE="GummiRaccoon"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] How do they do that? Is there like a special hack program that picks up APs even if they are not broadcasting?FelipeInside

It's not even hard to do.

All you had to do was google it.

http://bit.ly/H70X01

Well there are even freeapps for iphone/ipad android phones and tablets that show you all AP in the area, hidden or broadcast.

And yes kismet like jiggly said.

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="GummiRaccoon"]

It's not even hard to do.

All you had to do was google it.

http://bit.ly/H70X01

GummiRaccoon

Well there are even freeapps for iphone/ipad android phones and tablets that show you all AP in the area, hidden or broadcast.

And yes kismet like jiggly said.

[QUOTE="Rusteater"]

Don't forget to disable SSID broadcast.

GummiRaccoon

That's almost pointless, anyone who knows what they are doing will be able to see all the wifi APs whether they are broadcasting or not.

Very true. It will keep those who don't know what they're doing from finding it. (Nosy neighbors, kids...)

[QUOTE="GummiRaccoon"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] I asked you cause you posted it, I know Google exists.FelipeInside

Well there are even freeapps for iphone/ipad android phones and tablets that show you all AP in the area, hidden or broadcast.

And yes kismet like jiggly said.

Almost none.

WPA/WPA2 is good enough, forget the disabling SSID i mean who would suggest this to anyone looking for a simple and easy to understand way of securing their router... If someone wants into your network they'll get in, WPA/WPA2 is more than enough of a deterant to make any drive-by hacker go look for a WEP secured network.

WPA/WPA2 is good enough, forget the disabling SSID i mean who would suggest this to anyone looking for a simple and easy to understand way of securing their router... If someone wants into your network they'll get in, WPA/WPA2 is more than enough of a deterant to make any drive-by hacker do look for a WEP secured network.JohnF111

Expanding on this.

Some routers have what's called WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) or Push 'n' Connect). It's an easy BUTTON which protects ur WiFi.

More info here on Netgear Routers: http://support.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/96/~/what-is-wi-fi-protected-setup-%28wps%29-or-netgear%27s-push-%27n%27-connect%3F

WPA/WPA2 is good enough, forget the disabling SSID i mean who would suggest this to anyone looking for a simple and easy to understand way of securing their router... If someone wants into your network they'll get in, WPA/WPA2 is more than enough of a deterant to make any drive-by hacker go look for a WEP secured network.JohnF111

Or unsecured, like what he had before.

btw looking, in my neighborhood, there are 3 WPA2 APs, 3 WPA APs, 1 WEP (lol) AP and 2 unsecured.

don't enable WPS, it's as bad as WEP, very easy to crack, this is by brute force, no sophisticated algorithm.JigglyWiggly_

qft

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"]don't enable WPS, it's as bad as WEP, very easy to crack, this is by brute force, no sophisticated algorithm.GummiRaccoon

qft

* I meant to say "go" instead of "do" :) not that it matters much it's quite irking me seeing it three times now.JohnF111

Fixed my quote to reflect that.

[QUOTE="JohnF111"]* I meant to say "go" instead of "do" :) not that it matters much it's quite irking me seeing it three times now.GummiRaccoon

Fixed my quote to reflect that.

If you want to go through all the trouble, MAC filtering and limiting concurrent connections along with WPA2 and a 64 character key gives you a pretty secure network.

I know people who live in neighborhoods where the houses are so close you can see 15+ wireless networks and they have implemented this level of security.

No one lives near enough to me to even see my network. Probably the best security there is.

1.Determine your network IP address by navigating to the "Start" menu and selecting "Run." In the Run dialog, type "cmd" (without quotes) and click "OK." The Command Prompt dialog opens. Type "ipconfig/all" (without quotes) and press "Enter." The command prompt will display a list of data for you network, including your IP address.

2.Launch a Web browser and input your IP address in the address box. The control page of your router is displayed. Refer to the manual that came with your specific router on the manufacturer password/user name to login to your network. Usually the User Name is "admin" or "password" and the password is either "admin" or "password." Sometimes these fields are left blank. After logging into the router you can access the administrative function.

3.Within the administrative functions, navigate to the security settings. Within the security settings, you can change the username and password to log in to the router.

4.Disable the router's remote administrative functions. Remote administrative functions allow anyone using the Internet to access your router. To be more secure, disable these options. The only reason to enable them is if a network administrator isn't always on location.

5.Change the network's name. Your router comes with a default network name like WLAN or Linksys. These names are referred to as SSIDs. You want to change the name to something that you will recognize, but others won't associate with you. If your name is John, don't call your network "John's Network."

6.Enable encryption and enter a password in the appropriate field. Wireless routers use several types of encryption, including WPA2, WPA and WEP.
At the time of publication, WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protect Access 2) is the most secure encryption format available on some routers. But you can't use this encryption type if your router doesn't support it.

WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is recommended if WPA2 isn't available on your specific model. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy is the least secure of all the encryption formats and is relatively easy to hack. If you have no other choice, use at least WEP encryption. Some protection is better than no protection..

7.Record your password and settings for future reference. If you lose your password, you can reset your wireless router to the manufacturer's default settings by pressing the router's "Reset" button, usually found on the back of the unit. Remember to re-secure your network after a reset.

1.Determine your network IP address by navigating to the "Start" menu and selecting "Run." In the Run dialog, type "cmd" (without quotes) and click "OK." The Command Prompt dialog opens. Type "ipconfig/all" (without quotes) and press "Enter." The command prompt will display a list of data for you network, including your IP address.

2.Launch a Web browser and input your IP address in the address box. The control page of your router is displayed. Refer to the manual that came with your specific router on the manufacturer password/user name to login to your network. Usually the User Name is "admin" or "password" and the password is either "admin" or "password." Sometimes these fields are left blank. After logging into the router you can access the administrative function.

3.Within the administrative functions, navigate to the security settings. Within the security settings, you can change the username and password to log in to the router.

4.Disable the router's remote administrative functions. Remote administrative functions allow anyone using the Internet to access your router. To be more secure, disable these options. The only reason to enable them is if a network administrator isn't always on location.

5.Change the network's name. Your router comes with a default network name like WLAN or Linksys. These names are referred to as SSIDs. You want to change the name to something that you will recognize, but others won't associate with you. If your name is John, don't call your network "John's Network."

6.Enable encryption and enter a password in the appropriate field. Wireless routers use several types of encryption, including WPA2, WPA and WEP.
At the time of publication, WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protect Access 2) is the most secure encryption format available on some routers. But you can't use this encryption type if your router doesn't support it.

WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is recommended if WPA2 isn't available on your specific model. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy is the least secure of all the encryption formats and is relatively easy to hack. If you have no other choice, use at least WEP encryption. Some protection is better than no protection..

7.Record your password and settings for future reference. If you lose your password, you can reset your wireless router to the manufacturer's default settings by pressing the router's "Reset" button, usually found on the back of the unit. Remember to re-secure your network after a reset.

yuki2012

You won't be putting in your IP in the browser but the IP of your default gateway.

I know WEP is insecure but do you think it's at all likely someone would come along and hack their way in?

I mean even mcdonalds has free wifi now.