securing wireless connection

flogen

Hey all,
I know this is a pretty basic question, and thus probably one you get asked here all the time, but I've just set up a wireless network (using a netgear 54mpbs wireless router), and I want to secure it.
I've gone into a wireless access list and found the two devices connecting to the router, added them to the list and turned on access control. Will this do the job?
And what about changing settings such as passwords, usernames or network names which are currently set to the default?

Thanks

zAbbo

Change the admin password.

I used to have a similar setup, and locked it down by:

1. Turning on Access Control - based on client MAC Addresse's(which you've done)
2. Disable SSID broadcast
3. Enabled WPA-PSK
4. Enabled Wireless G only, a small thing, but stops B clients from connecting
5. Disabled DHCP(meh, if they have got this far, not really needed)
6. Enabled the logs, and email notification.
7. On the latest firmware, there is some trend micro thingy in there - Content Filtering > Security Services.

shltter

All you really need to do is enable WPA psk

mac filtering is useless and will only stop accidental connection to your network if you did not have WPA enabled would not bother with it

No harm to turn off SSID but anyone with net stumbler will still see your network but changing the SSID from the default name would not do any harm as would changing the default password

when setting up the WPA a good long password is what you need nothing obvious and not english words from a dictionary

flogen

I had a bit of trouble with the WPA-PSK thing, I set it up on the router, and then when I tried to tell my wireless card what the passkey was, it still wouldn't reconnect. I get an option on my card (data encryption, TKIP or AES) which I dont get in my router set up too.

How does that work anyway, the passkey changes every few hours (or whatever time you have set), so do you need to keep changing it manually?

flogen

Hi again,
I just had another problem, I've had to reset the security settings on my router so I can use my DS on it too, it only recognises WEP.
The problem is, when I put a WEP passkey on the router, neither my PC or DS can connect, they both recognise a network, but the signal is too weak, With my PC I get a "limited connection" bubble.
Both work fine if I take the WEP off it, so the actual connection is fine, I just can't leave it unsecured for too long

Any ideas?

TinCool

If you paint the outer walls of your house/apartment with lead paint and brick up the windows, and cover same bricks with lead paint will ensure that your wireless network will not be able to leave the confines of your four walls and therefore you will not be able to get hacked in from the outside.

TC

flogen

Your plan is foolproof, except for one tiny detail... I live in rented accommodation and can't decorate the house in any way.

And I had bought 12 buckets of led paint before I even realised... darn.