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Wat do we know about wireless routers?


motoxjesse
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ok guys i know jack about the wireless biz, so here's the question, if people are accessing my router(and they are) can i see them, can i see who is connected to my router? i hate these people next door to me always slowing me down. I cant encrypt it either because i have another person connecting that would loose there mind trying to figure out wat i mean by "encryption key"

 

so can ya help??

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wait a sec... You're running a wireless router in a completely open mode? :stare:

 

Not a good idea....

 

I suggest you set it up to only allow specific MAC addresses and WPA2 encryption, then you go and configure everyone who needs to be connected to the router yourself, once that is done, the others won't need to bother anymore...

 

Normally, you can see who's connected to your router, but I guess it depends on the specific router. You can allways browse through the router logs to be sure...

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wireless always needs to be encrypted to keep out pests like your neighbors or war-drivers.

 

yes, there should be a log somewhere with all connected IP addresses, if your neighbor has a static address, you can block it, specifically.

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Yeah, there are people who drive around and steal your internet.

 

I think the simplest and best things to do for instant security -

 

Make your network invisible - that'll prevent any cursory scans from detecting it automatically.

Change the name from default - there isn't any point in being invisible if someone can just search generic names.

Encryption - the other two methods are ok but this will generally stop people bothering.

 

All should be accessible via router management. As Mr. Dad says, it's all pretty simple and really, all you're doing is making sure casual h4x can't sit outside your house and get on your network. Even my shoddy BT router can (barely) manage this.

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you can also build a list to allow only specific MAC addresses to access the network as for the level of encryption it doesnt really matter... havin said that with linux you may have a prob so would recomment wep with 64 bit encryption. this and hiding ya ESSID should keep anyone away :)

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Woooow, nooooo...

 

WEP encryption is a joke.... Don't use it, it can be cracked in a matter of minutes...

 

Hiding the id will help, as will only allowing specific mac's, but in the end, the only thing that will secure the connections on a decent level is WPA or WPA2.

 

As for how effective a measure is in securing the wireless connection, I'd go for (1=most effective, 5=least).

 

1. wpa2 (100,000)

2. wpa (75,000)

3. wep (2,000)

4. mac (1,000)

5. hide network (50)

 

though 3-4-5 are very much useless, even if used together and compared to the protection you get from either 1 or 2, the others are negligable... (look at the scores (between brackets) for relative security, these are arbitrary though)

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I take what you are saying TetsuoShima but the average wireless freeloader wont bother if they can get on an unencryted router. Personallally i have a 52 character WPA-PSK encryption using numbers letters and symbols it would take a lifetime to crack it and i change it too.

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i drive round looking for access all the time lol macdonalds is favourite they have in in their eateries

allowing only specified mac addresses is the way we set up customer computers cos it's easier for them to cope with

 

most of they would have kittens at the thought of entering a 128 digit code

and nothing will keep out dedicated spongers but then if theres a guy in a car outside you house every night with a laptop....

 

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Not to suggest violence, but if your neighbour is freeloading go around to his house and shoot his face off.

 

128-bit encryption is going to phase hackers for a little while and your router is going to record MAC addresses.

 

Those addresses will be awful useful if a certain four lettered American corporation comes after you ;)

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