help securing wi fi connection

Chalk

hi everybody...

im picking up my eircom wireless router today - netopia 3347 ?
i have a nortel e-mobility dsss 802.11b pci card
i have a targa/lidl laptop from 2003 with the pcmcia wifi card

from messing around ive got the two of them talking on an ad-hoc network
not secure, basically just wanted to maek sure the things worked.

anyway everything works full 11Mbps and excellent network strenght.
could vnc but could share files or internet ...
well this is deside the point.

my eircom stuff arrives today and i hope to set up a wireless network,
hopefully it will be pain free but im more worried about security.

has anyone got any advice on the best setup [if any] for the equipment ive mentioned, and how to go about it.

i havent much experience but ive had variations on wired networks up and running in previous setups so hopefully wont have too much trouble once i know how to secure everything.

both pcs are xp sp2 , outpost firewall, avk extendia antivrus .


as always any input is appreciated
chalk

tomk

I don't know anything about your specific hardware, chalk, but in general, security in a wireless environment is based on encryption or access control - preferably both. Neither is 100% secure, but they are generally adequate for home use.

Encryption will be either WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) or on newer gear, WPA (WiFi Protected Access). WPA is better - if you have it, that's good. Otherwise, WEP is OK.

Access control allows you to limit access to your network to specific computers, by specifying the MAC address of their network cards.

Every manufacturer has their own way of implementing all this, so RTM and you should be OK.

Chalk

sounds good,
everything is fairly old , all on the b standard , so i assume itll be wep.

im sure itll be fun to set up