Security

coombesy · 02-20-2006, 08:48 PM

Hi, i have just watched a program about people who hack wirless networks i am running a dlink network with a wired pc and 2 wireless how do i secure this network and password lock it so no one else can access it.
many thanks chris

TheChef · 02-20-2006, 09:20 PM

Use a WEP or WPA key if it's not already in place.

Is this a home network?

coombesy · 02-20-2006, 09:32 PM

Yes this is a home network and how do i set up a wep/wpa thank you

ericknit · 02-21-2006, 04:02 AM

Well, this is always a good debate. Someone can hijack and use your wireless network if you do not secure it. If you live in an urban area with a lot of people close by, this becomes a real concern. There are a few simple things you want to do to secure your network:

1) CHANGE YOUR ROUTER PASSWORD!!! This is first and foremost. By default, most all routers of a particular brand share the same widely known default password.

2) Stop broadcasting your SSID. Your routers manual will tell you how to do this. In my opinion, this will protect you from 99% of the possible attacks. Chances are, the neighbor across the street won't know you exist if you stop broadcasting your SSID.

3) Control DHCP. Again...check the manual. Have the router's DHCP server only hand out IP addresses to your machines (based on MAC address). Now someone has to know your network addressing scheme to add themselves to your network (again, the average Joe is not sniffing packets to get this)...

4) Which leads me to this one...Change your network address. DOnt use the default 192.168.1.0 for example. Keep the 192.168 (keeps you private, non-routable) but make the 3rd octet something between 1-254 to throw people off (i.e. 192.168.10.0).

5) Encryption..I believe the previous 4 steps are going to eliminate your threat from all but the real geek down the street from you (and only if he really wants to break in). For him, you will want to enable whatever encryption scheme you have available on your router (i.e. WEP). Sorry, but again, check the manual. This is fairly easy to do, however, this is the only step of the 4 that can really be a headache for the novice.

now...All that said...I firmly believe that there is no such thing as a secure network. If someone wants in bad enough, with the right know-how, he's going to get in. You just don't want to make it easy.

I hope this helps, (Sorry about the "Read your manual", but every router is a bit different).

TheChef · 02-21-2006, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericknit

5) Encryption..I believe the previous 4 steps are going to eliminate your threat from all but the real geek down the street from you (and only if he really wants to break in). For him, you will want to enable whatever encryption scheme you have available on your router (i.e. WEP).

The geek down the street, if he really knows what he's doing, shouldn't have a problem with WEP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericknit

now...All that said...I firmly believe that there is no such thing as a secure network. If someone wants in bad enough, with the right know-how, he's going to get in. You just don't want to make it easy.

Exactly.

**ceewi1** · 02-21-2006, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheChef

The geek down the street, if he really knows what he's doing, shouldn't have a problem with WEP.

True. Unfortunately, with the number of programs available for download, cracking WEP is something that's been reduced to 'script kiddie' difficulty. Of the two (WEP & WPA), WPA is more secure.

elmarcorulz · 02-21-2006, 12:18 PM

You may also want to try MAC filtering, if your router allows it

02-20-2006, 08:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
coombesy Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Essex, England Age: 16 Posts: 53	Security Hi, i have just watched a program about people who hack wirless networks i am running a dlink network with a wired pc and 2 wireless how do i secure this network and password lock it so no one else can access it. many thanks chris __________________ CPU: AMD Sempron 3400+ Mobo: Geforce not sure of the numbers Ra: 1 gb Hardrive: only and old 60 gb out of my original 2002 pc hp pavillion Graphics: Radeon 9800 pro

02-20-2006, 09:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheChef Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New York Age: 17 Posts: 1,383	Use a WEP or WPA key if it's not already in place. Is this a home network? __________________ Athlon 64 3000+ Venice -- MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum Asus nVidia GeForce 6600 -- Corsair ValueSelect 1024mb Seagate 120GB Barracuda -- Xoxide X-Clear Case FOR SALE http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=47630 http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=mzvideos

02-20-2006, 09:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
coombesy Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Essex, England Age: 16 Posts: 53	Yes this is a home network and how do i set up a wep/wpa thank you __________________ CPU: AMD Sempron 3400+ Mobo: Geforce not sure of the numbers Ra: 1 gb Hardrive: only and old 60 gb out of my original 2002 pc hp pavillion Graphics: Radeon 9800 pro

02-21-2006, 12:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
elmarcorulz VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Age: 21 Posts: 6,033	You may also want to try MAC filtering, if your router allows it __________________ C2D E6300 @ 2.6Ghz Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 2GB DDR2 667 1TB (1x500GB 2x250GB HDD) BFG 8800GTS 320MB PFC Til I Die

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02-21-2006, 04:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
ericknit New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4	Well, this is always a good debate. Someone can hijack and use your wireless network if you do not secure it. If you live in an urban area with a lot of people close by, this becomes a real concern. There are a few simple things you want to do to secure your network: 1) CHANGE YOUR ROUTER PASSWORD!!! This is first and foremost. By default, most all routers of a particular brand share the same widely known default password. 2) Stop broadcasting your SSID. Your routers manual will tell you how to do this. In my opinion, this will protect you from 99% of the possible attacks. Chances are, the neighbor across the street won't know you exist if you stop broadcasting your SSID. 3) Control DHCP. Again...check the manual. Have the router's DHCP server only hand out IP addresses to your machines (based on MAC address). Now someone has to know your network addressing scheme to add themselves to your network (again, the average Joe is not sniffing packets to get this)... 4) Which leads me to this one...Change your network address. DOnt use the default 192.168.1.0 for example. Keep the 192.168 (keeps you private, non-routable) but make the 3rd octet something between 1-254 to throw people off (i.e. 192.168.10.0). 5) Encryption..I believe the previous 4 steps are going to eliminate your threat from all but the real geek down the street from you (and only if he really wants to break in). For him, you will want to enable whatever encryption scheme you have available on your router (i.e. WEP). Sorry, but again, check the manual. This is fairly easy to do, however, this is the only step of the 4 that can really be a headache for the novice. now...All that said...I firmly believe that there is no such thing as a secure network. If someone wants in bad enough, with the right know-how, he's going to get in. You just don't want to make it easy. I hope this helps, (Sorry about the "Read your manual", but every router is a bit different).