50MB Wireless Security ?

[Mike]

Hi all

Well just had 50MB installed including a wireless outer which I have never had before! (The wireless system was set up by the Engineer incase it’s needed in the future which I have to say it may).

Few questions on this issue.

On the set up screen I was asked to choose two things :

Net work name (can I change this ??)

And a 5 characters password (WEP Encryption is set to 64 Bit)

Is the level of security changeable as I did not think 5 characters was very much. As I am not going to use it for a while would people recommend I change this level ???

Also can I just plug it………….would every thing else still work ?!

Many thanks for your time

Regards

Mike

[BenMcr]

SSID/Network Name - yes you can change.

WEP is not a good idea. You need to choose WPA/WPA2 AES encryption for full security and speed

[dd11]

As already said, you can change it whenever you want.

Im not sure about the setup CD as i do it manually.

go to: http://www.routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1

user name: admin
the password (unless you've changed it) is either admin or password, i always get confused.

And you can change the settings for security etc in there.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

SSID/Network Name - yes you can change.

WEP is not a good idea. You need to choose WPA/WPA2 AES encryption for full security and speed

Thanks for the replies.......so people can see my network if in the area...........but in order to access it would need to key in the WPA/WPA2, is that how it works ?

Thanks

Mike

[Sir John Luke]

Don't know specifically about the VM-supplied router, but most have the ability to disable the wireless. Might as well do that until you are ready to use it.

Oh and yes, that's how it works.

[Waldo Pepper]

Originally Posted by dd11

As already said, you can change it whenever you want.

Im not sure about the setup CD as i do it manually.

go to: http://www.routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1

user name: admin
the password (unless you've changed it) is either admin or password, i always get confused.

And you can change the settings for security etc in there.

Thats how I set mine up by going into the Netgear page instead of the Kiddy page provided by Virgin. Not had any probs.

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by Waldo Pepper

Thats how I set mine up by going into the Netgear page instead of the Kiddy page provided by Virgin. Not had any probs.

The Virgin setup page is only on the Netgear WGR614 G router so not applicable to 50Mb as all the routers supplied for 50Mb are N routers and use the standard software supplied or windows to connect.

[CHiLL]

I'd advise using WPA2 nowadays if you can support it, if not then just WPA, WEP can be cracked very easily. WPA has come under new attacks recently.

The network security on works on the wireless signal emitted. Any devices directly plugged in via wires aren't covered by it, because they aren't connected through the wireless and aren't susceptible to the weaknesses of wireless.

The SSID/Network name can be changed.

Security type: WPA2, if not then WPA

Password: At least 8 characters, containing letters and numbers, can capital letters.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by CHiLL

I'd advise using WPA2 nowadays if you can support it, if not then just WPA, WEP can be cracked very easily. WPA has come under new attacks recently.

For 50Mbit you have to use WPA/WPA2 AES, otherwise you won't get the full 'N' speeds so won't get 50Mbit

What has come under attack is WPA-TKIP

[CHiLL]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

For 50Mbit you have to use WPA/WPA2 AES, otherwise you won't get the full 'N' speeds so won't get 50Mbit

What has come under attack is WPA-TKIP

There was something on the news recently that WPA (not sure if it was TKIP or AES) could be cracked for up to an hour, and data intercepted.

[BenMcr]

Er, as I said, it was WPA-TKIP