Modem/Router recommendations

I am using a USB BB modem at the moment, on a desktop computer (Win XP), but
want to change to wireless , to include a laptop ( Win XP and wireless
ready), with the possibility of another PC (Win 98se) later on.

My main criteria are:

Ease of set-up and use

Reliability

Any suggestions?


Regards and thanks in advance


Pat Macguire

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Observer <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> I am using a USB BB modem at the moment, on a desktop computer (Win
> XP), but want to change to wireless , to include a laptop ( Win XP
> and wireless ready), with the possibility of another PC (Win 98se)
> later on.
>
> My main criteria are:
>
> Ease of set-up and use
>
> Reliability
>
> Any suggestions?
>
>
> Regards and thanks in advance
>
>
> Pat Macguire

There's a major requirement missing in your list of criteria - and that's
wireless security.

Virtually *any* wireless router is a doddle to set up, using all the default
settings - but that gives you *no* security - allowing the world and his dog
to access your private data and get free internet access at your expense.

I would urge anybody contemplating a wireless network to become conversant
with the security implications and to understand the necessary precautions
*before* installing their equipment.
--
Cheers,
Tim
______
Please reply to newsgroup. Reply address is invalid.

>
> There's a major requirement missing in your list of criteria - and that's
> wireless security.
>
> Virtually *any* wireless router is a doddle to set up, using all the
> default
> settings - but that gives you *no* security - allowing the world and his
> dog
> to access your private data and get free internet access at your expense.
>
> I would urge anybody contemplating a wireless network to become conversant
> with the security implications and to understand the necessary precautions
> *before* installing their equipment.
> --
> Cheers,
> Tim
> ______
> Please reply to newsgroup. Reply address is invalid.
>
>

Sorry! I should have added that I'm using Zonelabs and AVG Free at the
moment.

Regards

Pat Macguire

On 19 Aug 2005 14:10, "Observer" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I should have added that I'm using Zonelabs and AVG Free at the moment.

That may protect the PC, but the router (unless you implement encryption on
the traffic) becomes a 'public' access point, unintentionally. I don't feel
you should need to specify that you are aware of everything possible that the
router might be capable of when, after all, you're looking for recommendations
rather than askingg for a critique of a particular model (but have a read of
the reviews at <http://www.ADSLguide.org/> to see hardware they've tried).

--

UK ADSL <http://tinyurl.com/5jpa4> - Happy to save cash with Plus.Net!!

On Fri, 19 Aug 2005 14:10:12 +0100, "Observer" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>Sorry! I should have added that I'm using Zonelabs and AVG Free at the
>moment.

That won't help, I'm afraid. WPA encryption is what the man means....

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Simon Pleasants <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> On Fri, 19 Aug 2005 14:10:12 +0100, "Observer" <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote:
>
>> Sorry! I should have added that I'm using Zonelabs and AVG Free at
>> the moment.
>
> That won't help, I'm afraid. WPA encryption is what the man means....

That'll do for a start - but I'd also throw in MAC address filtering and
turning off SSID broadcasting.

As others have said ZoneAlarm and AVG provide a measure of *internet*
security - but do absolutely nothing for *wireless* security. Without
wireless security, anyone within range can get *inside* your network - so
this particular threat doesn't come via your internet connection.
--
Cheers,
Tim
______
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On Fri, 19 Aug 2005 16:17:26 +0100, "Tiscali Tim" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>That'll do for a start - but I'd also throw in MAC address filtering and
>turning off SSID broadcasting.

If they've got WPA with a nice long key MAC address filtering is
hardly worth it and SSID hiding will probably just make their life
more difficult!

"Simon Pleasants" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Fri, 19 Aug 2005 16:17:26 +0100, "Tiscali Tim" <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote:
>
>>That'll do for a start - but I'd also throw in MAC address filtering and
>>turning off SSID broadcasting.
>
> If they've got WPA with a nice long key MAC address filtering is
> hardly worth it and SSID hiding will probably just make their life
> more difficult!

I should have added that I live in a detached cottage in the country,
nearest neighbour about 200-300 metres away.

Regards

Pat Macguire

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Observer <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>
> I should have added that I live in a detached cottage in the country,
> nearest neighbour about 200-300 metres away.
>
> Regards
>
> Pat Macguire

And the nearest public road?
--
Cheers,
Tim
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