Wireless Internet?

[Kestra]

Some other things to consider:

• Configuring your router's WAN interface to have the same MAC address as your computer's wired network interface. This avoids having to re-register with your ISP. Whether this is necessary depends on your ISP and cable modem.
• Configuring the wireless router to get its IP address from the ISP, and to act as a DHCP server for your local network (basically assigning IP addresses and DNS settings). This is usually the default setting.
• Setting up the router's MAC address list for your computers to make it more difficult for others to gain access to your network.
• Configuring your network to hide its SSID.
• Configuring your network to use the highest strength security protocol that is supported by the router and all the computers that will access it.

No offense to the OP, but some of this might go a bit over his head and you might want to explain in more detail what you're talking about here, especially if you think it will be of use to him.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

Some other things to consider:

• Configuring your router's WAN interface to have the same MAC address as your computer's wired network interface. This avoids having to re-register with your ISP. Whether this is necessary depends on your ISP and cable modem.
• Configuring the wireless router to get its IP address from the ISP, and to act as a DHCP server for your local network (basically assigning IP addresses and DNS settings). This is usually the default setting.
• Setting up the router's MAC address list for your computers to make it more difficult for others to gain access to your network.
• Configuring your network to hide its SSID.
• Configuring your network to use the highest strength security protocol that is supported by the router and all the computers that will access it.

No offense to the OP, but some of this might go a bit over his head and you might want to explain in more detail what you're talking about here, especially if you think it will be of use to him.

Sorry, I think people should have to learn the hard way and not have stuff spoon fed to them.

 

[RoJoHen]

What a ridiculous thing to say.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Some other things to consider:

• Configuring your router's WAN interface to have the same MAC address as your computer's wired network interface. This avoids having to re-register with your ISP. Whether this is necessary depends on your ISP and cable modem.
• Configuring the wireless router to get its IP address from the ISP, and to act as a DHCP server for your local network (basically assigning IP addresses and DNS settings). This is usually the default setting.
• Setting up the router's MAC address list for your computers to make it more difficult for others to gain access to your network.
• Configuring your network to hide its SSID.
• Configuring your network to use the highest strength security protocol that is supported by the router and all the computers that will access it.

No offense to the OP, but some of this might go a bit over his head and you might want to explain in more detail what you're talking about here, especially if you think it will be of use to him.

Sorry, I think people should have to learn the hard way and not have stuff spoon fed to them.

Great attitude.

Mr Light, please consult the manual for whatever router you have. I know everyone hates manuals but they usually dumb things down enough for the lay person to figure it out. You just want to make sure you:

* Enable WPA2 encryption.
* Disable SSID broadcasting.
* Set your own password to the administration interface.

That should about do it.

 

[CorporalClegg]

That said, I have never had a password on my router in the 4 years I've had it, and I've never had a problem.

You should. If not for security reasons, at least to prevent others from using your network. You live in an apartment, right? For all you know, the guy downstairs could be up all night surfing the porn with your connection.

Sorry, I think people should have to learn the hard way and not have stuff spoon fed to them.

And others need to learn the art of tact.

 

[TheGodBen]

That said, I have never had a password on my router in the 4 years I've had it, and I've never had a problem.

You should. If not for security reasons, at least to prevent others from using your network. You live in an apartment, right? For all you know, the guy downstairs could be up all night surfing the porn with your connection.

And not just any old porn, but child porn. The next thing you know the cops will be beating down your door and confiscating your computer, and you'll spend that night sleeping in a cell next to Bubba.

Plus, when Google drive by they'll be spying on you.


OP, when setting up the wireless password, make sure to select WPA2. Chances are that the router may have an option for WEP security for legacy reasons, on some older routers that may even be the default setting, but you'll want to avoid that it it doesn't provide adequate security any more. It can be broken in a matter of minutes if you have the right tools, then someone will get onto your network, access your public files and learn that you have Lady Gaga songs in your music folder.

That's just a guess on my part and in no way related to what's in my music folder.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

If I wanted to be a real douchebag, I'd set up two routers--a private one for myself, and a public "honeypot" that captured all traffic, including things like passwords. And I could set up a computer on the "public" network to constantly scan for shared drives on any connected system, and gobble up files of interest (pictures, spreadsheets, etc.)

People are so lax about security, they make it very easy to be exploited.

 

[Kestra]

and gobble up files of interest (pictures, spreadsheets, etc.)

I'll share my hentai collection with you. All you had to do was ask.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

and gobble up files of interest (pictures, spreadsheets, etc.)

I'll share my hentai collection with you. All you had to do was ask.

But all you've got is tentacle porn. Blech.

 

[Arrqh]

OP, when setting up the wireless password, make sure to select WPA2. Chances are that the router may have an option for WEP security for legacy reasons, on some older routers that may even be the default setting, but you'll want to avoid that it it doesn't provide adequate security any more. It can be broken in a matter of minutes if you have the right tools, then someone will get onto your network, access your public files and learn that you have Lady Gaga songs in your music folder.

I saw a good metaphor for this once.

An open wifi network is sort of like leaving your front door open with a sign saying "cookies inside, come have some!" You really have no justification for being outraged or annoyed if anyone else connects to it, it's essentially an invitation.

Using WEP is like having a screen door only. Anyone who breaks in is clearly in the wrong, but it's also very easy to do and shouldn't be relied upon for security.

WPA2 is like having your front door closed and locked. Someone could still theoretically break in, but it would take a whole lot of effort, far beyond what most people would be willing or able to do.

 

[RoJoHen]

That said, I have never had a password on my router in the 4 years I've had it, and I've never had a problem.

You should. If not for security reasons, at least to prevent others from using your network. You live in an apartment, right? For all you know, the guy downstairs could be up all night surfing the porn with your connection.

I'm renting a house now. The only other person using my network is my roommate.

 

[Arrqh]

That said, I have never had a password on my router in the 4 years I've had it, and I've never had a problem.

You should. If not for security reasons, at least to prevent others from using your network. You live in an apartment, right? For all you know, the guy downstairs could be up all night surfing the porn with your connection.

I'm renting a house now. The only other person using my network is my roommate.

Sure... that you know of. Your wifi network doesn't stop at your house's walls.

 

[RoJoHen]

No, but it doesn't extend much beyond the house. So unless somebody is camping out in my yard with their laptop, I think I'm safe.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Why risk it, though? It takes, what, two minutes to set up a password?

 

[RoJoHen]

You know, I actually did try to set up a password at one point, but for some reason it didn't work. I probably need to get a new router anyway, so we'll see. I'm really not worried about it.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I think you're just setting up to create a dual and make a tear through the forums, then blame it on someone hopping onto your network.

 

[RoJoHen]

Yes, that is exactly what I'm doing. After a decade posting here, I am going to go on a dual rampage.

 

[Kestra]

and gobble up files of interest (pictures, spreadsheets, etc.)

I'll share my hentai collection with you. All you had to do was ask.

But all you've got is tentacle porn. Blech.

I can neither confirm nor deny this.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Yes, that is exactly what I'm doing. After a decade posting here, I am going to go on a dual rampage.

 

[DonIago]

Heh, I haven't used encryption for years now (though I do MAC address blocking). I've had my router for about a decade and just realized it doesn't even -have- encryption beyond WEP.

Then again, I live in Vermont, not, say, NYC.

Now I'm wondering whether I should get a new router or hold out until mine finally decides to give up on me.