OT: Securing Wireless Connection

Atrocities · #1 April 17th, 2007, 08:28 PM

I have a problem, my wireless network isn't secure and I am having issues with people leeching my ISP services. How hard is it to set up the DSL Router to prevent this?

aegisx · #2 April 17th, 2007, 08:30 PM

It is pretty easy. Just set a WPA key (password). Then on your computer, you use the same key.

Baron Grazic · #3 April 17th, 2007, 08:37 PM

You should also be able to specify which MAC addresses are allowed to connect to the Wireless router. Your traffic won't be encrypted but it should stop people from using your access point.

Santiago · #4 April 17th, 2007, 09:15 PM

Look at it another way.

Advetise yourself as an internet cafe, sell coffee and charge for access.

aegisx · #5 April 17th, 2007, 09:16 PM

It is trivial to change your cards mac address but it will keep the casual person out. WPA should be the way to do it as it affords you some privacy. Not broadcasting your SSID will also help as people will not be able to find it unless they already know the SSID.

Atrocities · #6 April 17th, 2007, 09:17 PM

Thanks guys.

All done now.

Fyron · #7 April 17th, 2007, 09:30 PM

With an app like net stumbler, you can find networks that have SSID broadcasting disabled. The only people that will be foiled by no SSID are the people that wouldn't be trying to get onto your network in the first place.

Atrocities · #8 April 17th, 2007, 09:56 PM

Already since adding in the password to access the wireless router my speed has increased 10 fold. It came as quite the shock to discover that I was supplying internet service to several leeches. No more. The days of free ISP are over.

Will · #9 April 17th, 2007, 10:51 PM

My router has 128-bit WEP, SSID broadcast disabled, and a MAC address whitelist for my two wireless cards. So anybody who might want to leech off my wireless will go for the half a dozen networks named "linksys" rather than mine

Azselendor · #10 April 18th, 2007, 01:37 AM

Also, if you are using a big-box brand router (like linksyss, netear or dlink), you'll need to change your network name. Both linksys, netear and dlink encryption has been cracked and by default they will setup networks with names identifying what kind of router they are. example: linksys_OW_28102 or some other bs.

Turn on your SSID broadcast for this.

Then change your wireless network ID so something benign like "NASY" or like what I did, "RCPlane_5" so if someone finds it, they may dismiss it for something else.

then redetect your network connections, enter your WPA key, and disable SSID at the very end.

Also, if your router allows it, try to reduce the transmitter power so that it's only effective in your immediate area.