Wireless Router Security Question

I use your Linksys WRT 600N router with login & PW on a satellite internet connection with file sharing for a second laptop. If someone trolled by on the lake within a hundred feet could they get my signal and access my pc files while I was logged on…or would they be asked for a PW to login?
DD

Setup your wireless connection using WPA or WPA2 as security.  They will need your passphrase to connect to your network.  Do not use Linksys as your network name.  Change your router password to something other than admin.
Greetings from Northern Ontario, Canada

Similar Messages

  • Router security question

    Hi,
    I have recently connected a Linksys router (WRT54GC) via ethernet cables between my cable modem and my iMac C2D.
    Also, I connected an iMac G3 (upstairs) to that router via ethernet wall-plug adapters.
    Basically, this wireless router is being used as a wired router or ethernet hub.
    I did not configure the iMacs or the router. I just plugged everything into the appropriate ports and it works. I have NOT tried to connect wirelessly, nor is AirPort turned on in my iMac C2D.
    My question is: am I still vulnerable to someone connecting to my computers wirelessly through the Linksys? Should I configure the router for security protection?
    I'm afraid to touch anything because it actually works!
    Any advice on this matter would be appreciated.
    Phillip
    iMac Intel Core 2 Duo 20"   Mac OS X (10.4.8)   1 GB ram

    If you've set up the router with a decent password and turned-off SSID broadcasts, then it's unlikely someone will be able to access your network via the wireless access.
    However, if it's running with an out-of-the-box config, then it's a possibility.

  • Basic router security question

    I have the wrt54g wireless router.  I have never set up security on the router but am going to now.  I have my desktop plugged directly into the router and my laptop connects wirelessly.  If I go to one of the encryption modes is it just my laptop that will need to know the encryption key to connect?  Because the desktop is plugged directly in will anything need to be done for it to connect after encrytion is turned on?
    Second question , if the ssid is turned off how does my laptop find the router in order to connect to it?  Thanks.
    Carl

    Carl,
    On your two questions:
    1) Encryption only affects the wireless connection. Wired connections between your computer and the router are not encrypted. As an example, I upgraded to a Cisco E3000 router this week. I physically disconnected my old one, connected the new one and within 10 seconds my wired computer had Internet access. On the wireless side I had to re-configure everything including setting up encryption.
    2) Your laptop will ask for a connection to the unbroadcast SSID and the router will respond with effectively, "Here I am." It's no different than you calling out someone's name when you're looking for them. They'll respond ... usually. Not broadcasting an SSID simply prevents people from finding the network by having their computer build a list.
    Hope that helps.
    Scott

  • 2nd wireless router security settings

    Hi, hope someone can answer this for me. 
    I have a WRT-610N and I've just set up a 2nd wireless router (E3000) to extend range of my wireless network.
    Same SSID, same subnet, DHCP off etc.  All works fine.  Network passwords I set identically.  
    My question is: what security settings should I apply on the 2nd router?  i.e. I have MAC address filtering on the internet-connected primary router, the WRT-610N - should I apply this on the E3000 also?
    thanks
    Solved!
    Go to Solution.

    1. wireless MAC filtering is useless anyway. Don't set it up. It's only causing problems to you. (You would have to set it up on all access points/routers)
    2. Setup WPA2 Personal with AES and a strong passphrase. That's secure.
    3. Set up identical SSID and wireless security setting on both for a roaming network.
    4. Choose different channels on both, if you use static channel assignments to avoid interference.
    5. Make sure SSID broadcast is enabled.

  • Wireless Router WAN Question

    I currently have a WRT600N wireless router. This router allows me to release the WAN IP and get a new IP. It may rotate through what ever my service provider is offering but it is always different at least 4 times in a row. I have another cable connection upstairs and a different type of router. This router does not get a new IP when I do a ipconfig /release, instead, it will get the same ip back all day long. 
    I put the WRT600N on the upstairs cable modem and got the results I expected based on what I saw downstairs. So my question is, If I am looking for a new router for the upstairs connection, what spefically would I be looking for that allows the router to get a new IP everytime I disconnect and reconnect. I am looking for an alternative to the WRT600N or a location to purchase the WRT600N.  
    Again, I am talking about the WAN port, not the LAN port. I know that some service providers lock the IP down by MAC, but that is not the case in my situation. 
    Thanks in Advance,
    Brandon 

    OK, one more time, in better english. I have a computer and a WRT600N on on cable modem. And I have a computer and a WRT54G on another cable modem. When I access the http server of the WRT600N via a web browser and release the WAN interface IP, and then renew it, I get a new IP address. I can do this over and over and I get a new IP everytime. 
    From the other computer, I access the http server of the WRT54G via a web browser and release the WAN interface IP, and then renew it, I get the same IP address. I can do this over and over and I get the same IP everytime.
    When I move the WRT600N to the upstairs cable modem, I get a different IP everytime I  release and renew the IP address (Via the web interface of the router).
    So I know that it is some capability of this particular router. The cable modem accounts are from the same company. So my question was, "What is it in this particular router that allows the WAN interface to get a new IP everytime it release and renews?".
    I know how DHCP works, and how ISP can sometimes lock an IP to a MAC address for a period of hours, or indefinetly. However, that is not the case in my situation. If you do not know what allows this particular router to get a new and different IP each time it connects that is ok.
    I can not make this any clearer.
    Thanks,
    Brandon 

  • Wireless Router/Networking question

    Could post this in any number of forums here as my computer inventory includes a MDD with wireless card and a Sawtooth connected direct to the ethernet hub which in turn is connected to my Qwest DSL wireless router. Have a couple others wired in as well a cube and a FP iMac 800 (one of the originals). And now my first laptop ... MBP 2.4Ghz.
    Anyway, the question is this .... Can I replace the Qwest DSL router with one that provides 'n' wireless speed so the MBP can benefit from it? If so, any recommendations for a router?
    Just another sentence about my set up ... The router is wired/wireless. Computers without wireless connect via ethernet, computers with wireless connect wirelessly (of course - duh).
    Thank you

    Yes, you can do that. The n wireless router will have to run in mixed g/n mode, which will reduce the actual speeds attained on the MBP (lower than an n-only network, but the reduction will not be to g-wireless speeds).
    Having stated that, keep in mind that unless you are running local wireless file transfers (think backing up to Time Capsule here), there's no need for n-wireless. In other words, a home wireless network is not the bottleneck for internet access, it's your ISP.
    Verizon just announced 50 mbps with their FIOS service (with a hefty premium cost), and that's the fastest available home internet connection, and it's still slower than even 802.11g (54 mbps). Typical home internet connections are in the 1-10 mbps range, and so even an 802.11b network is faster.
    Hope this helps...

  • How to access wireless router security setting.

    How would I go about accessing the security settings of my wireless router? I'm on windows XP.
    -Thanks 

    1. Go to www.linksys.com. Click Downloads. Select your router model and version. Download the user guide. Read it.
    2. Open your browser at http://192.168.1.1/ Further instructions are in the user guide.

  • Wireless Router Security Setup

    Sorry in advance if this is a stupid question but I am fairly new to my mac. (love it by the way)
    We have DSL at home and recently bought a Belkin Wireless G router. I put in the cd that came with it and selected the Mac option for install. Now, after this it took only a few seconds and was done. All connected and up and running in nothing flat. My wife was able to connect via her PC laptop no problem.
    I want to secure this wireless connection and I can't quite figure out how. Oddly enough there is no Belkin icon for me to click on to get into any properties. When I type belkin into my spotlight search nothing comes up. I assume I should be setting up the security directly on my mac somehow but just not sure how.???
    Have tried reading and searching but still can't find anything. Right now I am assuming my question is just too simple so no one else has this problem but I just can't get my pea sized intellect to figure it out.
    Thanks All!

    Well, you do have Security on your Mac, but what you want is to address the router's Setup page
    Run Safari and type this into the url bar...
    http://192.168.2.1
    You should see a Menu there.
    Come to think of it, this is probably the best source on how to...
    http://www.portforward.com/english/routers/wireless/routerindex.htm
    I think this might be your Router.
    http://www.portforward.com/english/routers/wireless/Belkin/F5D7230-4/F5D7230-4in dex.htm
    Message was edited by: BDAqua

  • WRT546 v5 wireless router security settings mysteriously reset?

    Hi. I owned a WRT546 v5 Linksys wireless 802.11g router. After purchasing it roughly 2 years ago, I set up my network name and set WPA security. About a year ago I noticed that it has somehow been reset to the default settings: network name - linksys / . Rather chagrinned and a bit frightened, I checkly reset it to my preferred network name and WPA security.
    I just noticed the weekend that it had once again reset itself to the default settings. Last time I know for sure my network name was correct was about a month ago. It something I want to set and not worry about.
    I want to make clear that the router has not been moved, nor has the reset button been pushed. It is out of the way and not messed with.
    Has anybody else experienced this problem. I do not particularly like the idea of my network security being randomly reset without my knowing.
    thanks
    bobby

    Hi!
       This happens when the router loses its firmware......try upgrading the firmware....
      I personally dont think its due to someone hacking your network or a weak WAP key.....try upgrading the firmware and reinstalling the router..and that should work for you...
      This is a common occurrence with this kind of routers...so you dont have to worry about it...
    Revert Back if you still face any problems!!!!

  • Quick network security question

    a bit of history...
    i have two macs. Mac1 is connected to my DSL modem for internet. Mac2 is connected to the Mac1 via airport. I share the internet connection on mac1 so that mac2 has access to the internet ( i do this because i don't have a wireless router)
    My question is that at the moment anybody can connect in the wireless network and use the internet connection on Mac1. How can i add a WEP password to make it secure?
    Thanks
    J

    Someone answered whilst I was writing this. But here is a screen shot just incase.
    Goto your System Preferences->Sharing. Then select the <Internet</b> if Internet Sharing is on turn it off. Then select Airport Options
    However you can add a WEP password if you like but WEP is not secure . It can be cracked very easily with tools available on the net. WPA is the only protection worth using at the moment.
    As you can pick up a wireless router that supports WPA very cheaply that would be your most secure solution.
    iBookG4 1.33ghz. 20inch iMacG5, 1.2ghz Mac Mini, ipod photo, iSight Mac OS X (10.4.3) Linksys WRT54gs+1.05 Talisman Firmware, Telewest 10mb/384k
    Message was edited by: Tim Haigh

  • Wireless router/wap as 'hotspot'

    question; i have a wrt54gl and a wap54g, here's what i want to do, i'm not sure if this is possible or not - - i would like a wap that is pretty much wide open, but prompts a user to OK through an agreement, enter a password and it lets them online, but then times out after a period of time. this is for public internet access for office visitors. our internal wap will be mac filtered and encrypted, we just want some way to offer access to visitors but somehow limit it and have a disclaimer before they can surf/etc. similar to what places like panera have.

    You don't have the right equipment to do the job you described.
    If you connect these two devices and leave the WAP "wide open", this will give your visitors total and unsecured access to your network.  This is because the WAP must be wired to a LAN port on your WRT54GL  in order for the WAP to work, and anything wired to a LAN port on your WRT54GL has access to your network.
    Linksys routers are designed for home and small office use.  I don't know of any way to make an agreement pop up on a system using a Linksys router.  It sounds like you really need a professional  (Cisco) system to do this.
    The only Linksys router that I know that offers a "hot spot" with some type of agreement or login procedure is the WRV54G, which uses the Boingo Hot Spot system.
    If you want to setup the system you described WITHOUT the agreement, then this is fairly easy using 2 wireless routers, similar to this:
    Modem  ---  unsecured wireless router  ---  secured WRT54GL
                          192.168.38.1                                  192.168.1.1
    In this setup, the WRT54GL is connected through its Internet port (not a LAN port), and this is what will protect your private network.  For the unsecured wireless router, you could use just about any Linksys wireless router, but for simplicity of maintanance, I would suggest you get another WRT54GL.
    Hope this helps.
    Message Edited by toomanydonuts on 01-10-2008 03:33 AM

  • Cheap (easy install) wireless router?

    Ok I need to get hold of an ADSL wireless router to connect my 3 computers.
    The main computer that will be connected via Ethernet is a 1.8 G5 iMac that sits on a desk right by the phone point.
    The second computer is a Mini G4 1.5 with airport built in thats used on my 42" plasma in the next room.
    Thirdly my girlfriends Windose laptop that will require some kind of USB/Wireless card to be used with the new wireless router.
    Question 1: Are some wireless routers better than others for using mainly with the 2 macs? If so which models should I look out for?
    Question 2: Will the wirelessly connected Mac Mini be able to share files from the main iMac via the router?
    Question 3: I am using BT Broadband, does this limit my choice in anyway?
    Look forward to your replies, and thanks in advance for any help/suggestions. I am getting bogged down with the ammount of routers available and many of them make no mention of OSX/Macs although I was of the opinion (very possibly wrong) that any ethernet router would work with my macs?

    Welcome to the discussions.
    1st The technology is the same worlwide.
    Remember that Mac and Apple computers are in the lower 15% of the computers on the market thus almost all ISP's almost ignore the use of MAC's. That being said most say they don't support Mac which is no more then BUNK.
    I will say that in the UK some ISP's will try to push USB Modems. I would insist on Ethernet Modem and thus you can use any Ethernet Router. (Wired or Wireless)
    Now all major manufactures make good products so it will be your choice as far as a Router is concerned. Here is a link that covers many of the products offered in the UK by the different providers.
    http://www.adslguide.org/reviews/
    The most important thing to remember is to use Ethernet, NOT USB
    Some are easier to confiqure then others.. Airport Extreme Base and Netgear being the easiest in my opinion.
    So the answers to your questions are
    Question 1 Above.
    Question 2 Yes
    Question 3 No
    Cheers Don

  • Setting up security and such for wireless router wrt54g without admin rights (work computer)

    We are moving, I am in a new location with a new company and my only computer is this one from work. Trying to get my home network setup, I'm locked out of admin rights on this thing and am trying to set up the above router. I thought I had a modem problem at first, but finally I am online wired for now to the cable modem. I would like to get this router up and running, but I can't use the easy setup disk, and I just tried using the easy setup download and it is locked out as well. How can I get my router setup with security, with no admin rights on the pc?
    This will be my first wireless router, so I am very green on the specifics and terminology. Any help is most appreciated.
    Many thanks,

    Thank you toomanydonuts!
    I will do this when I get back to the townhouse this evening.
    Just so that I am prepared for tonight - I want to confirm and ask a few questions on the "options" and note a couple things I noticed that may help with answers...
    Internet connection type - should be easy, I assume there is a "cable modem" option.
    SSID - I do not know what this means or what to choose
    wireless encryption method (WEP, WPA, WPA2) - Which is best, or is there one I must pick due to computer used and such, I also want to get my Nintendo Wii accessing correctly, I saw these options on that setup, though it didn't work per my first message on the board. I assume whatever encryption method used needs to be chosen for the Wii?
    wireless encryption password - I think I can handle this one
    A couple of notes -
    this laptop has this always on radar looking for wireless connections - how can I name my router so I know it's mine, other than the fact that it is the strongest signal. Maybe that's a network setting?
    Thanks again, glad I came here.
    Edit: I suppose I should add, just to ensure - in order to do this process through the url provided above, I need to be ethernet wired through the router to the modem? in order to access last night, I was straight into the modem, didn't seem to work wired through the router.
    Message Edited by Syxpack on 03-27-2008 05:25 AM

  • Mac Security on a wireless router that includes Windows PCs

    Just yesterday I took the plunge and purchased my first Mac---a MacBook Pro 2.4GHX with 4G of Ram. I am 62 years old and up until now have been using PCs my whole life (or that part of my life since personal computers became available). I have not as yet set up the MacBook but before I do I have one question (maybe many more in the future). I did not plan on installing any security software on my MacBook because friends and Apple Store employees told me it was not necessary and would only hog resources, etc. Good enough. However, I will be using the MacBook exlusively at home. My family and I have two Windows PCs that are connected to our ISP via a wireless router and I will be setting up the MacBook Web Access through the wireless router as well. My question is, although I am aware there has never been a successful reported Mac exploit in the wild would my MacBook be at risk if a virus or spyware or bot were to infect one of the PC's on our home network? Also, since the router employs a hardware firewall do I need to turn on the Mac firewall when I set up my MacBook. Since I am a brand new user and also not exactly a techie I hope someone can answer these questions. Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions.

    I answered the questions that were asked. "What will be, will be"
    If you want to talk about security in relation to malware in general:
    While there are no known viruses that attack Mac OS X at the present time, it is possible for spyware to get onto your Mac.
    So I go to lenghts to protect my user. A hosed system can be replaced but a compromised user folder is compromised forever. Along with all your important data like bank records, credit cards, ... I.e. your "identity" stolen.
    The best way to avoid that is by using your built-in firewall which is industrial strength and/or a hard wired router, downloading only from "trusted" sites, installing all security updates and being careful about what you give administrative power to. It is also recommended to run day to day tasks from a non-admin account.
    Don't use Limewire or any other P2P service to download your software, get it from reputable sources. In addition, always keep at least your users backed up, preferably a clone of your entire system on a separate disk. And put your sensitive passwords, bank accounts, credit card numbers in a "secure note" in a new keychain or in an encrypted folder.
    If and when a Mac virus does appear it will be headline news and you can download the AV software then. If you feel you have to run an AV program I'd suggest ClamXav a mac friendly freeware app that is very stable with OS X. It will check for known virus signatures at any rate.
    Hope this helps.
    -mj
    Message was edited by: macjack

  • Airport express can't connect to Linsys wireless router with security wpa2

    Hi all, I have posted a question previously regarding trying to connect my airport express to my existing network, a Linsys wireless router....
    I have now found that if I disable the wireless security (wpa2 personal) on my router the A/E connects though as soon as I enable security again the A/E drops out. I have checked the network name and password and all are definately correct.
    Any ideas?
    Cheers

    Unfortunately I have tried absolutely everything and no go I have just discovered that I can still use it though by having it as a wired Lan connection to my Cisco router then the laptop wirelessly connects to the A/E through the router so not all bad just had to wire a lan point from one room to the other.
    After talking with Apple support they say it's pretty hit and miss with what different routers the A/E will and wont connect with...
    So save yourself a lot of heartache and just use as a wired connection
    Hope this helps

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