Wireless Network Security

  • Thread starter Thread starter Don
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D

Don

My configuration is a PC with cable and a Dell Truemobile 2300 router
between tne PC and the cable modem. I use a laptop with wireless connection
to the router. Network seems to be functioning ok. Both run win xp home.
The data light on the modem flashes constantly. I am wondering if there is
some extracurricular activity going on. Should I enable wireless security?
Router gives a choice of wep or wpa. No even sure what those stand for.
Which should I use? The router "intruder log" shows no entries. What else
might be causing the modem data light to be flashing constantly? I use zone
alarm as a firewall and it is showing nothing unusual.

Can you recommend a site that has a tutorial on wireless in terms a newbie
would understand?

Thanks,
Don
 
Always a good idea to secure a wireless connection... If you're running xp on the wireless machine the WPA is the best security currently available. Switch WPA on on the router, give it a password and then when the wireless machine tries to connect it should ask for the password. This does rely on you having the latest updates installed as WPA was released after windows xp (more info at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;826942). You may also need the latest version of the wireless network card drivers for windows XP (I did for my dell laptop..)

In addition, your access point may allow you to specify allowed mac addresses. Swtich this on and enter the mac address of your wireless network card on the wireless machine (this is the "Physical Address" of the card listed when you run "ipconfig /all" from a cmd prompt).
 
Thank you very much for your help. With regard to mac address access,
my.router doesn't respon to my attempt to enter the laptop mac address.
Router mode is gateway. Should I change it ti "access point"? Is it true
that this action will prevent a roving laptop from accessint the internet
via my router?
Thanks,
Don

Milamber said:
Always a good idea to secure a wireless connection... If you're running
Click to expand...
xp on the wireless machine the WPA is the best security currently available.
Switch WPA on on the router, give it a password and then when the wireless
machine tries to connect it should ask for the password. This does rely on
you having the latest updates installed as WPA was released after windows xp
(more info at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;826942). You may
also need the latest version of the wireless network card drivers for
windows XP (I did for my dell laptop..).
In addition, your access point may allow you to specify allowed mac
Click to expand...
addresses. Swtich this on and enter the mac address of your wireless
network card on the wireless machine (this is the "Physical Address" of the
card listed when you run "ipconfig /all" from a cmd prompt).
 
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