network security
 

ok i'm working towards securing my wireless network at home, i've done some searching but am really none the wiser.


Firstly, am i correct in thinking that there are two issues, one is the visibility of the router/adapter/pcmcia card etc and the second is the visibility of the traffic (packets) travelling between them and the internet to anyone looking, sniffing whatever from the outside world.

i have (all Linksys) WRT54G router, B version of the game adapter for Xbox, and a B version pcmcia card for a laptop. All of which will 128bit encryp for WEP but only the router supports WPA.

Do i have to enable WEP for all and disable the SSID broadcast for each piece of hardware, or does doing it for the router (considering that the cable modem connects to there obviously) create a 'shield' for the rest of the equipment.

Where i'm confused is what order to do the above in. I have already attempted the WEP in part but found two things; hiding the SSID meant the game adapter wouldn't connect, and enabling WEP on the pcmcia card meant i could see the router but couldn't browse the internet.

i hope u can see that i have a partial understanding but its obvious i'm missing something that needs some fine tuning.

thanks in advance....

Re: network security
 

is this any use ???? :)

Re: network security
 

yea i've already come across that which explains what the various components are but it doesn't really help when i come to configure it so that they all work in harmony.

Re: network security
 

ahem.. cough... bump

Re: network security
 

when you say game adapter coundn't connect does it have a way to add the ssid?

Re: network security
 

yea i think so, there's settings i can go thru via the Xbox, tho i never thought to try my logic being if it can't see it what good would telling it be, but can but try.

Re: network security
 

you must make sure that the SSID is the same on both items then they can be hidden

Re: network security
 

oh yeah i get that, but i doubted it would work thinkin that y tell it what the ssid is if it can't detect it but as i said i'll try it out.

When i activated WEP on the router it gave me 4 hexadecimal solutions, activating WEP on the laptop automatically picked up one of the four and although i could see the router i couldn't surf. i've missed a step haven't i?

Re: network security
 

you need to make sure that WEP is set to the same on both units

Re: network security
 

sorry, but the same WEP what... encryption 64/128, passphrase, hexadecimal code, which?

am i only supposed to give each piece of equipment the same hexadecimal code, rather than picking one each of the four given?

Re: network security
 

all the WEP options should be the exact same on both

this may help

http://wifi.aximsite.com/wifi_net.html

Re: network security
 

ok so to have this clear;

when i activate WEP on the router, the passphrase and hexadecimal code i use there should be repeated exactly on game adapter and the pcmcia wireless card, correct?

Re: network security
 

yes

Re: network security
 

bet ur glad thats done, seriously though appreciate the patience and help. :tu:

Re: network security
 

no problem

Re: network security
 

they think its all over.... no it bloody isn't

like in previous post, even using the same WEP passphrase and generated 128 hex code, i can see the router but it can't browse the internet. Even tried MAC filter, the router saw the lappy wireless card MAC address first time and added it to the 'allowed' filter but still couldn't browse the internet.

What am i missing?

Re: network security
 

i'm still thinkin bout this.... if i've configured WEP using the lappy Linksys monitoring software, thats giving me the ability to see the router, yes?

but do i have to repeat some of those steps in the 'Network Connection' in XP aswell. I've seen an advanced tab there which includes the ability to add the WEP passphrase amongst other things, will this then let me browse the web?

Not giving up yet!

Re: network security
 

You need to add the WEP password to the Wireless Network Connection in XP, yes.
__________________

Not sure if this will help at all.....

I got mine working in under 10 minutes (including a reboot of everything), I didn't use the Linksys software though.

I just plugged it all in, set it up, and it worked.
__________________

Umm.....

This may be a stoopid question.....

You have rebooted the Cable Modem since you installed the router, haven't you?
__________________

Turn all off.

Turn CM on (let lights settle).

Turn router on (let lights settle).

Turn PC on.....