Help me protect my wireless network

[skate323k137]

so what you're saying niode is he had a DSL gateway (modem/router in one device) and is trying to use that as a router? yeah that will never work.

[Niode]

Yeah the router he is using is a combined ADSL modem and router. It simply won't work in that configuration without configuring it as a wireless access point whilst attaining a WAN IP address from a designated ethernet port on the device. At the moment in it's default state it is trying to get a WAN IP from the DSL line, without that the router is useless for surfing the internet with.

He needs a new router. Just get a standard cable router (one WITHOUT a modem) and plug the modem into the 'Internet' port on the router.

I suggest a Linksys WRT54GL. I use one and I've never had any problems with it whatsoever. Plus you can put DD-WRT firmware on it and have even more customizable options like transmit power (to extend your wireless range) and QoS options to stream line your traffic. It also supports WPA2 which is the standard you really should be using by now. WEP has been cracked and can be cracked in a couple of hours, nobody should EVER use it. Anyone who does is an absolute moron, it's like locking your doors but putting a sign on your front door saying "the keys are round the back, underneath the dust mat".

Edit: Oh yes, and I'm moving this to the Technical Help forum since this is, after all, a technical issue. I should have moved it ages ago, but I forgot.

[RCBH928]

So you are saying that because my router has an extra option(modem) it is a disadvantage?
If this is true, then damn technology. So I buy a router that is router+ modem which is basically doesn't work like router...very nice. That is like saying I am buying a computer with CD+DVD writer, but because of that it can't read CD\s

So how can I configure it as wireless access point?
This damn thing costed me like $300!!(like 4 years ago)

[skate323k137]

what you got was a DSL Modem that just so happened to have a router. It's called a gateway, and makes it so you don't need an extra box (router) to use more than one PC with your intenet service. They make them for cable internet too, but they're junk IMO.

just get a normal router and you should be OK.

[Niode]

I don't know how to configure your particular router, I have no experience with it. You could try googling for the answer. If it was possible to use it as a router without the modem part of it overriding the WAN DHCP I'm pretty sure somebody would have done it by now.

[RCBH928]

Ok
Well, thanx everyone for the help I really do appreciate it.
I wouldn't have figured it out alone that a router+modem is really a modem with a router that works only for it.
And I was like why those idiots buy 1 modem, 1 router ,1 wireless gateway, why don't they get the all in one package...

So you think I should go the Linksys way? I started to hate Dlink for some reason, its boring and unstylish

[Niode]

Linksys are the most customizable routers and they are best in value. They run on Cisco technology (which is highly regarded in the networking world) and have the ability for custom firmware to be applied to them (not all models, check the model number carefully if you plan on installing a custom firmware like Tomato, Open-WR or DD-WRT.)

I've personally never had any issue with Linksys routers and recommend them to everyone I know who's looking to set up a home network. I bought my Linksys WRT54GL for under £30, which is peanuts for a router when you think about it, especially one that is as configurable and customisable as mine is now that I have installed DD-WRT onto it.

[opethfan]

Brands are like car brands, pop brands, TV brands, all about people's experiences and certain lemons / great products they've used. As long as you aren't using some weird out of it cheap brand (often given to you by an ISP (I'm looking at you Telus with your crap 2Wire POS modem / router!)).

So your setup goes like this:

Magical sky power --> WiMax adapter --> D-link Router --> Computers.

The protection has to be applied to the Router.

Step 1 is to place encryption on your wireless network.
The preference is, in order from strongest to weakest: WPA2, WPA, WEP.
Not all hardware supports WPA2, but if yours does, use it. If not, WPA should do the job well enough. Usually, any encryption will stop the average Joe looking for a free connection to hop onto, especially if there are other, unprotected networks in the area. If you're dealing with crackers though (the kinds of people who never open their windows and only leave their apartments once a week to get a crate of Red Bull and some energy bars), they're most likely to want to break the easiest network available, and that's gonna be one with WEP protection.
A strong password will also be harder for the scumbag to crack, as well as one you change frequently, due to the way wireless encryption works. I'd suggest changing it every week, if you feel that you're at risk. Don't worry about making the password easy to remember. You only have to enter it a few times ever, and you can write it down somewhere (unless you're trying to keep out someone within your own house :O )
Wireless encryption can all be enabled within your router's login page and settings. Let me know if you need any help with that.

Step 2: MAC address filtering. Some people say this is useless, as MAC addresses can be easily faked (spoofed), but in my opinion, it doesn't hurt to do in combination with encryption. The way it works is, every piece of hardware that can communicate (form a network) with another (ie, Wifi cards, LAN cards, Bluetooth adapters, etc) has a MAC address that is unique and tied to the hardware, unrelated to the IP address. By blocking, or only allowing, certain MAC addresses (ie, the ones you're planning on using at home), even if your encryption is broken, the cracker's computer won't be allowed by the router to join the network. Detractors say this can be easily broken by the cracker spoofing his MAC address to one that's allowed, but how does he know that? Especially if there are easier networks to break into (no or WEP encryption), this may turn someone away. Most consumer devices have the MAC written on the box or on the device itself (often on the back or bottom) or in some settings menu.

Step 3: Hide the SSID. The SSID is the name of the network that is broadcasted in the area for people to connect to. Although convenient, you aren't the only person who'll see your network advertising itself. Setting this will make your network invisible to default software (custom security / hacking software will still see it though), and to connect, you'll usually have to find an option in your settings that says "other" or "enter manually". On Windows XP (with SP2 or SP3), you'll have to open the properties of your Wifi card in the Network Connections control panel, choose Wireless Networks, Add, and then type the name of the network, check the box labeled "connect even if not broadcasting" and then the wireless protection type and password.

Step 4: change the password on your router. As a last step, even if someone breaks down all your defenses, you can still stop them from screwing with your settings by protecting the router settings page with a password that isn't the default one, which can be guessed in a matter of seconds by anyone with experience or logic.

As you can see, wireless networking can get complicated, but it is very much worth it to keep safe and secure. You could save money on bandwidth costs, not get in trouble from the law (people often do illegal things on wireless networks they don't own) and ensure your connection is as quick as possible. The best option is to have strong encryption and keep the password long, fresh and changed frequently to stop anyone who could be trying to get in from getting in (cracking can sometimes take time, and if you change the password, they have to start all over again).

If you have any questions or need any help, feel free to let me know.

[RCBH928]

Well thanx for great tips, long since my router user/pass was admin/admin
with zero security, no wep nothing.

I am not that paranoid I do not think there are any hackers around in my neighborhood. Houses are far and separated by thick brick walls. But your tips sure helps.

I got linksys router, wrt160N which is supposed to be N power and costed me like $140...only for it not to reach any place really further than my 2004 D-link 604 $100
Then I bought range expander from linksys that cost me another
this:http://www-bh.linksys.com/servlet/Satel ... 5057112B54

Sometimes it carries the signal, sometimes the signal will be lost, and after few days it will lose connectivity with the main router and you need to configure it. Add to all of that that for some reason I can't always access my router(s) configuration panel(192.168.1.1) for reasons I do not know.

I would be understanding if this was 1998, but in 2009 and wireless netwoking this expensive and hardly working right...i mean its upsetting...

but issues resolved as for this original topic, my network is secured password and whoever told me to buy a router with adsl really worked thanx a lot

[skate323k137]

mac address filtering is way more effective than hiding the SSID. hiding the SSID is virtually pointless.

either way, make your WPA key something that's long, and not an actual word, and odds are nobody will ever be able to get in.