how to secure your wireless?

paulinhobrasil · 01-04-04, 12:15 AM

I have a netgear wireless router, as a default the configuration it is a open connection to anybody in range. I wish I could only connect just my devices, not that I'm greedy or else, it's just a safety....maybe I am greedy, oh well! I have a netgear CF on my Axim X5, is there a way to do, so just my Axim pick up the signal? Uh...an easy way...you step by step...Thank you...

01-04-04, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by paulinhobrasil
I have a netgear wireless router, as a default the configuration it is a open connection to anybody in range. I wish I could only connect just my devices, not that I'm greedy or else, it's just a safety....maybe I am greedy, oh well! I have a netgear CF on my Axim X5, is there a way to do, so just my Axim pick up the signal? Uh...an easy way...you step by step...Thank you...

Since WiFi is a RF signal you can't just setup your wireless router so that only devices will see it. All of the WiFi devices will see it. The trick is setting up your WiFi router so that only certain devices can connect to it once the signal is detected. By simple means you can enable WEP encryption on your wireless router. I would recommend 128 bit encryption. Once it is enabled on your device then you can configure your PPC to authenticate on your wireless router connection and then you are good to go. I would definately recommend taking a look at ikehikers WiFi Howto.

WiFi Howto

01-04-04, 02:15 AM

Also, you should enable MAC address filtering on your AP and add the MAC address of the WiFi cards you want to allow to connect.

Don't forget to change the admin password for your AP. Allthe default passwords are known to crackers.

ikehiker · 01-04-04, 08:37 AM

Both the WiFi How-to and FAQ (linked in my signature) have some details about security for WiFi but there is also a link to Secure Your Wireless Network at Practically Networked where you will find many more detailed suggestions.

Besides WEP-encryption and MAC-filtering, you can disable SSID broadcasting if your router has that capability and you should secure any shared folders on your PCs with strong passwords.

paulinhobrasil · 01-07-04, 09:16 AM

Many thanks to all of you, sorry for the late response...

paulinhobrasil · 01-07-04, 10:10 AM

Actually, I'd like to ask a few morr things... right now what I looking for it is a minimal security, meaning I don't want to leave open my connections or AP to anybody in the neighborhood, more precisely in my building (someone knows that I have a WLAN and wants to take advantage without giving a penny). Unfortunely I have to do this, in my opinion it should be free for all, but as I said..some cases we have to be harsh. Anyway...
I tried changing the configuration on the router (AP), for exemple enable the WEP(128) features with a passphrase and the same passphrase on my Axim's CF with success. My question is (to confirm) anybody that try to connect in my building or in my AP, wont be able to open or browse IE or network, correct? (Except any hacker or cracker willing to do that, I understand).
The MAC address did'nt work well, I don't know why: the signal was lost in the Axim's CF ( I did input the MAC adrress from the CF into the router configs). Maybe I'm missing something, in case I need to setp up a little more security I'll turn to the great forum section!
Thank you

01-07-04, 10:21 AM

If you have WEP encryption enabled, your AP will not allow connection unless they know the passphrase for your encryption. They will however see the WiFi signal and can attempt to breakin. Using 128-bit encryption is not foolproof but it is good to use and is even better if you are using a passphrase that is not easy to guess.

paulinhobrasil · 01-07-04, 10:54 AM

Thx, there will be enough for now. I experience the same situations: I can see the SSIDs on the configuration utility, but can't "get in". I also change the my default SSID name. Nice! The next thing will be the MAC address...

01-07-04, 11:19 AM

You may also want to disable the broadcasting of your SSID if your AP allows this. This will prevent script kiddies and neighbors from seeing your network.

paulinhobrasil · 01-07-04, 11:32 AM

Allright, but when suggesting something said the where and how to's. Thank you, I'll look for.

01-07-04, 12:05 PM

You'll have to consult your Netgear manual or Netgear support. I do not own a Netgear AP so I cannot be more specific.

01-07-04, 12:11 PM

I am not sure what Negear AP router you have but alot of them that I saw did not support deactivating SSID broadcasts. I am sure that they have models that do but it just depends on the model you have and how long you had it.

01-07-04, 12:34 PM

ON the netgear 814v2 Allow Broadcast of Name (SSID) is under wireless settings.
Right below it, is the setup for wireless access list. From there, you can add the mac of your axim to the router, and anythign else you want.

One more thing.. does anyone know how to make windows xp accept disable ssid broadcast? If I disable it, my computer wont see my network and will connect to my neighbor >:o but my axim will see my network and connect to mine.

01-07-04, 12:48 PM

1.) Go to Control Panel->Network Connections and double click the Wireless Network Connection item. (If you have the Wireless Network Connection icon in your task tray, you can double click that instead.)
2.) Click the Properties... button.
3.) Select the Wireless Networks tab.
4.) Click the Add button underneath Preferred Networks.
5.) Configure your wireless settings including the SSID.

Now your WiFi card should connect to your preferred network rather than your neighbor's network.

01-07-04, 12:54 PM

Thank you ill try that out and hopefully it will help.