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| Thread ID: 98963 | 2009-04-14 09:07:00 | What's the best way to secure my wi-fi network? | samnorr (13776) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 764999 | 2009-04-14 09:07:00 | I have recently moved into the middle of town, after living out in the country for many years, where I didn't really have to worry about wi-fi leaching. Now I have three other houses right beside mine, and it has occured to me how easy it would be for someone to steal my connection. I'm pretty sure it hasn't happened yet, as I've had no unexplained broadband usage, but I would prefer to know my network is secure. Can someone tell me the best way to ensure my wi-fi security? The only device that is currently connected wirelessly is a Playstation 3. Is there some encryption method to use that's compatible with the PS3? I don't really understand all the details of network security, so I would really appreciate some advice. I am using a D-Link DIR-300 wireless router. |
samnorr (13776) | ||
| 765000 | 2009-04-14 09:11:00 | You would have to find out what options its got for wireless security and what the router has first. Then make sure both have the same | Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 765001 | 2009-04-14 09:17:00 | Access your routers GUI by entering its IP into your address bar, if you don't know then check your manual or try 192.168.1.1 or 10.1.1.1 or if you can, go ipconfig /all on a PC connected and it should say next to Default Gateway. Anyways, at your routers config page go to the wireless section and set it to WPA-PSK or WPA2. If should generate a key, copy and paste it onto a flash drive then enter it into all the pc/devices when trying to connect to the network. Last two things for even more security is to set up Mac address filtering and disable broadcasting of the SSID, should also be in the wireless config page. Blam |
Blam (54) | ||
| 765002 | 2009-04-14 11:24:00 | Last two things for even more security is to set up Mac address filtering and disable broadcasting of the SSID, should also be in the wireless config page.Just in case you don't understand these terms, MAC address filtering only allows certain computers/network devices (such as your PS3) to connect to your router. Every piece of network hardware has a unique MAC number. You need to find the MAC address for your PS3 (a google search shows you how) and enter this number into the router wi-fi set up. By only accepting the MAC address from the PS3, all other connections from other MAC addresses will be rejected. SSID is used to identify network names. The router basically shouts out "I'm here, and this is my name". By default they often show the router's name/make. People can scan to see what wireless network names are being broadcast around them. Change your default SSID to something unique (not your surname or anything that could identify your house or yourself). Then stop the SSID being broadcast. This makes your wireless network reasonably "invisible". You can connect to your network because you know its SSID name. These sort of precautions will not stop an experience hacker, but will certainly stop amateurs or wanna-be hackers. |
Jen (38) | ||
| 765003 | 2009-04-15 09:54:00 | Thanks for the advice guys, I will try to set up those security measures when I get a chance. One question though - does MAC address filtering only apply to wi-fi? Or will I need to also enter addresses for the devices connected to the router by ethernet cable? | samnorr (13776) | ||
| 765004 | 2009-04-15 11:52:00 | Usually the MAC filtering will only apply to the WiFi (it's probably only in the WiFi section of the router's config anyway) If you want some good keys: www.grc.com |
Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 765005 | 2009-04-15 12:02:00 | Its for wi-fi only. And BTW to find the MAC address of a PC just type in "ipconfig /all" in cmd and look for the physical address for the NIC you are using to connect to the network. Blam |
Blam (54) | ||
| 765006 | 2009-04-15 21:23:00 | If you PS3 is already connected, check your DHCP table for the MAC address of your playstation. | SolMiester (139) | ||
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