Ann hilferty wrote:
> I'm trying to securely enable my internet network. I just can't get round
> this process. Any help
>
>
The simplest way to start is to read the User Guide for your wireless
router (you do have a wireless router, don't you?). You will want to
accomplish the following:
1. Change the default password for accessing your router's
configuration screens (remember this, or you will have to reset your
router to factory defaults to get back into it).
2. Change the name of your wireless network (SSID) to something unique,
but not your last name or address.
3. Enable the highest level of encryption that is supported by all of
the wireless hardware you are using (the router AND each of the
computers). With respect to the computers, if you are running Win XP,
make sure that you have SP2 and all updates. In order of increasing
security, encryption modes available for wireless networks are: WEP,
WPA, WPA2.
There are a couple of other security steps you can take, but the
foregoing are the most important.
You may have to get updated drivers for your wireless adapters (in
the computers) to enable WPA. If you use WEP, use the longest key length
your hardware will support. If you use WEP, you will enter a "password"
in the router; this will generate a hex key; use the hex key in
configuring the wireless connections in your computers, NOT the password.
If you use WPA, choose AES over TKIP if you have the choice. Again,
however, whatever encryption scheme you choose, it MUST be the SAME on
all wireless devices. If you use WPA, you will be using WPA-PSK,
sometimes called WPA-Personal.
Use a long complex password/passphrase. There are password
generators on the Internet. Here are a couple:
http://world.std.com/~reinhold/diceware.html
http://www.kurtm.net/wpa-pskgen/
For more detailed help, post back with a description of your network:
how you connect to the Internet; router make/model; how your Internet
connection device is connected to the router; how each of your computers
connects to the router; if any computer connects wirelessly, the
make/model of any USB or PC-card wireless adapter or, if a laptop with
built-in wireless, the make/model of the laptop. If you don't have a
router, describe how your Internet connection is connected and shared
among your network.
Wireless - Basic Configuration -
http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html
The new Wireless Network Setup Wizard -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...604.mspx#EJCAC
Wireless - Basic Security -
http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
MVP Barb Bowman on wireless security -
http://tinyurl.com/56fc5
Tom's Hardware Wireless Security FAQs
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006/0...ity/index.html
--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking
To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
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