Wireless Router Security

[Bushey Boy]

Ok, here goes:-

Its meant to be simple but how do you set up a password on your wireless router? Its a BT voyager 2000 thingy

Simple steps would be good!

[Luci]

You and technology  :-))(

[Bushey Boy]

I cant even remember to bring home a power lead! I love technology

[Simon Pieman]

Read the instructions....

[Bushey Boy]

what if youve thrown the box away?? shall I hit myself on the head now?

[Barry Scott]

Set up WEP, or create a list of allowed MAC addresses, then the password matters not.

You'd be better leaving the default password, then going to Wireless settings and enable MAC address Filtering on something like that.

When you do this make sure you're connected to the router via cable though, or it will cut you off!

Then go to your laptop, go to start, run, type CMD, then type ipconfig /all.

On this screen look down the strange looking list till you see the name of your wireless card. Next to it it will have a MAC address, something like 00-90-87-F9...... write this down, input this into your router, add the MAC address, update/save/apply.

Should work and makes it secure enough for most people's needs, as no one can access your connection now.

[jayohaitchenn]

If you don't change the password anyone can, wirelessly

[Batch]

The MAC address thing will put off the casual neighbour, but anyone half serious will be able to sniff the network, find out the allowed MAC(s) and spoof it (so they look like they are you). i.e. it ain't secure.

So here is what I'd do:

- Hide SSID (minimal security)
- Mac Filter/restrict IP address range (min security)
- Change router password default
- Enable WPA security if all devices support it, else
- Enable WEP security if all devices do not support WPA

WPA is a stronger form of encryption than WEP (i.e. better).

However if you are not too technical it isn't that easy to explain things over the t'internet. Suggest kidnapping a geek for help.

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/hardware/reviews/2003/q3/bt-2000.html

[Barry Scott]

Someones a bit paranoid... No offense batch, but we're talking about a wireless connection, not a massive corporate wireless network where numerous sensitive data packets are around.

If someone has access to a connection they still can't get onto your computer or get your info.

Anyway, enough of me being defensive, how do you spoof a MAC address?

[Bushey Boy]

The MAC address thing will put off the casual neighbour, but anyone half serious will be able to sniff the network, find out the allowed MAC(s) and spoof it (so they look like they are you). i.e. it ain't secure.

So here is what I'd do:

- Hide SSID (minimal security)
- Mac Filter/restrict IP address range (min security)
- Change router password default
- Enable WPA security if all devices support it, else
- Enable WEP security if all devices do not support WPA

WPA is a stronger form of encryption than WEP (i.e. better).

However if you are not too technical it isn't that easy to explain things over the t'internet. Suggest kidnapping a geek for help.
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/hardware/reviews/2003/q3/bt-2000.html

anyone wanna earn some christmas dosh?

[cavpete]

i use a wep key normally on a sticker on your modem.

[Simon Pieman]

The MAC address thing will put off the casual neighbour, but anyone half serious will be able to sniff the network, find out the allowed MAC(s) and spoof it (so they look like they are you). i.e. it ain't secure.

So here is what I'd do:

- Hide SSID (minimal security)
- Mac Filter/restrict IP address range (min security)
- Change router password default
- Enable WPA security if all devices support it, else
- Enable WEP security if all devices do not support WPA

WPA is a stronger form of encryption than WEP (i.e. better).

However if you are not too technical it isn't that easy to explain things over the t'internet. Suggest kidnapping a geek for help.
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/hardware/reviews/2003/q3/bt-2000.html

anyone wanna earn some christmas dosh?

Asher, I have the 2100 voyager. So I can help you, but not until late tonight.

[Bushey Boy]

ive got you on msn havent I si? If so I will come on line when home tonight, might be a bit merry though?!?!

[Batch]

Anyway, enough of me being defensive, how do you spoof a MAC address?

Most (OK a fair few) ethernet drivers allow you to override the ethernet chips MAC address with your own. IThere are a number of stand alones tools that let you do this too.

You may say my answer was OTT, but it stops the little buggers nicking my bandwidth. You'd be surprised how easy it is to take out an unprotected (by firewall) PC too.  And once you are on the network it is trivial to sniff out most email user accounts/passwords

99.9% of people wouldn't bother, there is always 1 though.

[Simon Pieman]

ive got you on msn havent I si? If so I will come on line when home tonight, might be a bit merry though?!?!

Um what time you thinking? I'm about to go out and I'll probably be very pissed when I get back.