Questions about Routers - Page 2

Matth · 05-09-2005, 22:47

Securing a wireless router against casual abuse, the most important feature is to use WEP, which will need a key entered on the router and on any wireless PCs.

WEP can be defeated in a concerted attack, but it's a whole lot better than leaving a router open, unless you intend to provide a free access point for as far as the signal travels!

MAC address filtering is another option that can be used, though it does not provide a huge increase in security against anyone capable of breaking the WEP key.

Turning off SSID broadcast is often suggested, but on many setups, it results in erratic or non-connection. Change the SSID from deafult, so you can identify your router if another of the same type operates nearby.

It is also best to change any default password and disable remote (outside) management/login - just make sure that you know how to factory-reset the router, in case you lock yourself out, and that you do not apply restrictions to wired connection as well as wireless.

Falling foul of a non-broadcast SSID incompatibility, I ended up with a wireless lockout - retrieved by making a wired connection, and turning broadcast back on.

Tezcatlipoca · 05-09-2005, 23:20

Bit more on security....

Article about securing a wireless network:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/article.php?a=12

The thread the article came from:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=8435

bbwannabe · 06-09-2005, 10:56

lol, most of these don't make much sense to me. I guess if we do go with the routers, things will fall into place a bit more. Ta.

bbwannabe · 09-09-2005, 18:06

Any sort of recommendations regarding Wireless PCI Cards?

thanks

bbwannabe · 12-09-2005, 17:31

Sorry for bumping this up but looking at a few routers from LinkSys, along with USB card, Laptop PCIMIA card, and PCI cards, I've noticed they mention WEP but not WPA. Is WPA possible through firmware, or does it need to come along physically on these components?.

Sorry for the dumb questions.

13-09-2005, 16:27

I have actually now set up the home plug and they work a treat . Very simple you just have install a small software program which you then imput device passwords that are on the plug a volla.Less messy that wired and as simple as wireless imo

SMHarman · 13-09-2005, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

Today, I am running 6 computers off of my Broadband, NTL cant tell how many PCs are running of it so i cant see how it's policable as it all goes through one IP

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...&page=54&pp=15
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...&postcount=804
Well certain CMs report this sort of information (and no this was not a combined CM/router, the CM was plugged into an Apple Airport express and correctly reported the iMac and Laptop connected wirelessly to the Airport.

Graham M · 13-09-2005, 19:09

How could it work that out as its on the other side of a NAT firewall?

bbwannabe · 27-09-2005, 14:28

Just want to say thanks to everyone who helped out in this thread. Got the router (WRT54G) and 2 pci wireless cards (WMP56G) and managed after some confusing period to get it working. So cheers

Shame the quick instruction manual doesnt say much about the QoS, or other net restriction features.

bbwannabe · 27-09-2005, 16:29

Quick question: Is the net restrictions only limited to those connections connected through the ethernet ports? (ie its not possible to disable or restrict the net access for those using wireless?).

SMHarman · 27-09-2005, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbwannabe

Quick question: Is the net restrictions only limited to those connections connected through the ethernet ports? (ie its not possible to disable or restrict the net access for those using wireless?).

I think you can do it thru mac addressing.

bbwannabe · 27-09-2005, 17:28

Cheers SMHarman.

Still got a few niggles to work through.

- Some issues regarding shared folders.. Sometimes they are accessible, sometimes they arent. I think it may be a kerio firewall issue but its kinda delayed, and i aint to sure whats causing it.

- PCI wireless cards are acting up. Sis comp seems to have stopped accessing the net even though it worked fine the last few hours... Same issue with bro's comp. Doing me head in lol.

Sister's issue may have to do with Internet Restrictions settings for the router...

SMHarman · 27-09-2005, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMHarman

I think you can do it thru mac addressing.

Applications and Gaming
QoS
Device Priority (and input the mac address and name it)
__________________

is your firmware uptodate 4.07 or 4.20

bbwannabe · 28-09-2005, 11:10

My Router Webpage shows: Firmware Version : v4.01.1

I've tried looking around for the 4.20 on the official UK site of Linksys but it only shows WRT54GV3.1_4.00.7_US_code (http://www1.linksys.com/internationa...wid=201&coid=6 ) Do you think its worth updating the firmware to this?

I've managed (I thinK) to get the shared folders working now. I've deleted all my firewall rules and started permitting and denying from scratch. Seems to have fixed that.

I've noticed occassionally the wireless icon usually pops up a connection message now and then. I think it cuts out due to idleness, but it's annoying as I use ultravnc to remote control my desktop PC, but when I have it minimised it seems to cut out and the UltraVNC window closes. Any suggestions?

Cheers.

SMHarman · 28-09-2005, 12:07

4.2 is the US code, it results in only having channels 1-11 on the router, but reading through it seemed that the changes from 07 to 20 made that sacrifice worthwhile. Mine seems a lot more stable now, but I did upgrade from 1.07!