wireless security

Hello i know i've asked something like this before but this is about other people using my connection.

I have a cable router upstairs connected to my main pc & the net. I use a USB adapter for my laptop.

Everthing works ok except for the past week or so i suddenly lose my connection then it comes straight on again. This happened just now & i quickly looked at my 'networking utility'. It showed one other network available with no 'padlock' eg security.

I often get up to another 5 networks showing on here & i understand that someone could be using the net off of my signal. Is that right?

I don't mind in a way, but why should i pay for someone else? Anyway yesterday i tried to do 'security' for mine & had a complete panic on cos i locked myself out .

What i would like to know is what is the best secutiry thing to use, i've tried looking at the instructions but it's all gobbledy gook to me, wpa this, wep that, encryption????

Do i have to do it from main pc? is it the router that i am protecting not the adapter?

Sorry if this makes you want to scream but i have feeling someone is sneaking on me & i don't like it :eek:

Any help please

cheers

 

Here's a simple guide borrowers.
You really should enable security on your router because as you have found, other computers can use your internet connection if you don't. This not only can cause privacy and security issues, but will slow down your connection to the internet.
It is the router you have to protect and you should do it from your main PC.. Make sure you take a careful note of the encryption key when you set it up!

http://www.networkliquidators.com/article-wireless-router-security-a-step-by-step-guide.asp

 

Hi Dave
I know you feel like smashing my face in by now, i'll do it for you

That guide was ok up to a point. I have found out how to set up password on WPA-PSK (is that right) & also noticed that the main firewall was knocked 'off'. I changed all that. felt really chuffed. went back on laptop but it although i could see the router, it now had a 'padlock'.

How do i get my laptop &/or router adapter to recognise the new settings? I even went back to factory settings & tried again.
I obviously can't get on the net with the laptop blocked.

I have spent most of today searching for help. At the moment I HATE Belkins idea of help.

Honestly i feel like crying now, how stupid can i be.

So am now sat in bed really fed up :( .So far i can get the net on laptop but not with any security attached.

Will i end up phoning 'Tech Guys'? I hope not.

Any help please

cheers

 

Well borrowers - don't get depressed. You've made some progress and discovered how to protect your wireless router from unauthorised access.So you've taken one step forward.
It's about two years since I set up our laptop to connect to the router, but I'm fairly sure that you should be able to do it by entering the code that you set.
I'm assuming you are using XP rather than Vista so here are some more links to help.

The Microsoft XP help files. >
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/wireless.mspx


http://evinsol.co.uk/eis/kb/article0006.html

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/netwimprovements.mspx

Applies to HP laptops and Windows Vista, but may help >
http://h30187.www3.hp.com/briefs/viewBrief/p/courseId/13516

Don't give up you'll get it cracked!!!

 

:D I've done it (I think)!

I now have a 'padlock' on. I also have passworded the 192 address so that only i can make any changes and put in a PSK.

However i did want it so that everytime i tried to connect on laptop, i would need to put a password in. It comes up as needing a hexcode but works if i put in my password :confused: , then it stays in view. Maybe it will be alright when i switch off laptop & come back on again.

Anyway it looks alot better than it was.

Thanks alot for your links Dave, funnily enough i had looked at a couple of them last night.

Only taken me over 3 hours to sort this Honestly you should have seen me, i had the desktop on, the desk part covered with discs & instructions, the laptop connected up on a chair next to it - what a palavar

Hopefully you'll hear no more from me on this subject What i really need is to find out who's got a laptop or wireless round here & see if they can connect up. Maybe i'll start asking around.

Thanks again.
Cheers

 

Well done A lot of folk wouldn't have had the confidence to even try to do it!

 

Yeah borrowers, well done I dont think id have the confidence to do that..Dee...

 

Thanks guys,

Don't ask me how i did it! I had to have a go cos i just didn't like the thought of other people using my stuff/internet whatever without me knowing. If they asked i would probably let them but they didn't!

Just one thing to confess :rolleyes: Although i have my 'padlock' etc i can still log on through my laptop with no password. sometimes it asks for one sometimes not.

At least the 'spy's' can't get into main pc now. Will have another look at it soon.

I get really annoyed with myself when i can't do something . So what with doing this & getting a pic of Joyce on my signature I'm well chuffed!