Protecting a wirless connection?

[phils_wicked]

Im having a fun weekend so far, new lappy, wireless router etc

But how do I make my wireless connection secure under XP? It can be picked up from a pretty long way away so Id like to secure it as much as possible.

Im running Xp pro on this main pc
xp home on the lappy
2mb NTL cable and I'm using the Kcorp Gold wireless router

Thanks for all the help I've recieved recently, I really do appreciate it.

Hope this PDF link helps:


http://www.kcorplifestyle.com/produc...r%20Manual.pdf

[phils_wicked]

Thanks for that mate, I havent been able to get onto the kcorp website all afternoon.

[DocDutch]

Phils, which router you got??? as if you could get into the interface of it then you can go give it security best but less stable wireless network is WPA-PSK but the lesser security is WEP 128. more hassle on that as you have to type in a 26 hex key and if correct in XP SP2 you have to even confirm it.

[phils_wicked]

its the Kcorp Gold KLG-575, 108G

Im into the admin area of the router and looking at the wireless authentication area.............its going way over my head im afraid lol
__________________

Ok the wireless wizard gave me this, but what do I do with it? lol

Wireless Settings
Network Name (SSID): mywireless
Network Key (WEP/WPA Key): 40461a0d2b3a487187db//////
Key Provided Automatically (802.1x): 0
Network Authentication Type: open
Data Encryption Type: WEP
Connection Type: ESS
Key Index:

[DocDutch]

okay Phil you set WEP 128 bit... but as far as I know you cant use the ////// key in a HEXADECIMAL code. if correct it should be letters A-F and numbers 0-9. I would select KEY is provided Automatically as its easier, just remember to write down the code. also another tip is to hide your ssid, there should be something like bssid or broadcast ssid. disable that as soon as you've secured your network and connected your lappy to it

[phils_wicked]

Thanks, the wep key i posted was contained ///// just to block out the final part of the number.


I have hidden the SSID and enabled wep with 128bit encryption and it seems to be working fine so far. I just need a way of checking that it is secure.

Thanks

[Hom3r]

this might help as well
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download doc in post 6

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=34657

[DocDutch]

Phil, you can do that if you delete your wireless connection via WIRELESS NETWORKS (windows networking) you do that by goin into properties of the wireless connection and then go to the tab wireless, there you've got your prefered networks and if you delete your own 1, now connect again to your wireless router and normally windows would say your connected after about 1.5 mins, but if you check your ip address then it would say something like 169.254.***.*** now you know if its secure or not

[Gareth]

Good advice, leviq

As for testing your wireless network, you could also use products such as Nessus (www.nessus.org), which is free for *nix but not for Windows, or AirDefense (www.airdefense.net) which has a free Windows version for personal use.

[akane1984]

levig how does the Kcorp Gold KLG-575 compare to the belkin 54g??

[DocDutch]

dont know akane. never seen it but just using basic knowledge of routers to advice Phil.

[phils_wicked]

Thanks everyone, Im slowly getting my head around this, but no doubt I will have plenty more questions at some stage lol

This is the Kcorp router I have, got good reviews on the site
http://www.kcorplifestyle.com/produc...75/KLG-575.htm

and it only cost £44 which I think is great.

[akane1984]

Originally Posted by phils_wicked

Thanks everyone, Im slowly getting my head around this, but no doubt I will have plenty more questions at some stage lol

This is the Kcorp router I have, got good reviews on the site
http://www.kcorplifestyle.com/produc...75/KLG-575.htm

and it only cost £44 which I think is great.

is it adsl router or cable modem router?

[phils_wicked]

Its both according to the packaging "ADSL or Cable via a modem"

Seems to work very well.