Wireless BT Broadband

Apparently to connect to my BT Broadband service I don't need a
password (set to null), only a user id.

Where is the connection or authentication done? Is it the PC
authenticating to the router which then connects (through some internal
config & the user id & specify) to the bt broadband service, or is it
the router authenticating to the broadband service directly again with
internally stored parameters & my user id (if that makes sense).

When I installed my wireless router I never had to tell it what to
connect to so. So where is this configured?

Can anyone use my wireless router to connect to what they want without
me knowing about it or can it only connect to BT Broadband?

The technology available in through a home computer blows my mind but
I'm confused & concerned by the lack of security (or does it not work
that way?)!!!



Stephen@mailinator.com

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Original Message <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

On 29/07/05, 11:43:32, "(E-Mail Removed)" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote regarding Wireless BT Broadband:


> Apparently to connect to my BT Broadband service I don't need a
> password (set to null), only a user id.

> Where is the connection or authentication done? Is it the PC
> authenticating to the router which then connects (through some internal
> config & the user id & specify) to the bt broadband service, or is it
> the router authenticating to the broadband service directly again with
> internally stored parameters & my user id (if that makes sense).

> When I installed my wireless router I never had to tell it what to
> connect to so. So where is this configured?

> Can anyone use my wireless router to connect to what they want without
> me knowing about it or can it only connect to BT Broadband?

> The technology available in through a home computer blows my mind but
> I'm confused & concerned by the lack of security (or does it not work
> that way?)!!!



You are, I think, dealing two separate issues here.

1/ your internet connection. Bt verify who you are by the fact that you
are at the end of their piece of copper wire. You also can only connect
to one broadband supplier over this wire, unless you change your
supplier.

2/ your wireless connection. You have to set up the level of security
that you want on the router and on the PC(s) by yourself. I only use
cables at home,so I'm sure that other kind and more knowledgeably people
will tell you how to secure you wireless connection.


Regards Ian Donaldson

Newtownards
Northern Ireland
(E-Mail Removed)

Ian Donaldson wrote:
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Original Message <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>
> On 29/07/05, 11:43:32, "(E-Mail Removed)" <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote regarding Wireless BT Broadband:
>
>
> > Apparently to connect to my BT Broadband service I don't need a
> > password (set to null), only a user id.
>
> > Where is the connection or authentication done? Is it the PC
> > authenticating to the router which then connects (through some internal
> > config & the user id & specify) to the bt broadband service, or is it
> > the router authenticating to the broadband service directly again with
> > internally stored parameters & my user id (if that makes sense).
>
> > When I installed my wireless router I never had to tell it what to
> > connect to so. So where is this configured?
>
> > Can anyone use my wireless router to connect to what they want without
> > me knowing about it or can it only connect to BT Broadband?
>
> > The technology available in through a home computer blows my mind but
> > I'm confused & concerned by the lack of security (or does it not work
> > that way?)!!!
>
>
>
> You are, I think, dealing two separate issues here.
>
> 1/ your internet connection. Bt verify who you are by the fact that you
> are at the end of their piece of copper wire. You also can only connect
> to one broadband supplier over this wire, unless you change your
> supplier.

Of course! I was forgetting the fact that it's not really open as I
had in my mind. I'm registered to only one ISP and they know by the
phone number of the line it's connecting to who I am.

>
> 2/ your wireless connection. You have to set up the level of security
> that you want on the router and on the PC(s) by yourself. I only use
> cables at home,so I'm sure that other kind and more knowledgeably people
> will tell you how to secure you wireless connection.
>

Thanks for replying!
Stephen

Stephen:
>Can anyone use my wireless router to connect to what they want without
>me knowing about it or can it only connect to BT Broadband?

Anyone in range can connect wirelessly to your router and use your broadband
connection for potentially nefarious purposes. Unless you know what to look
for you won't know about it.
You should therefore specify that only your wireless adapters can connect to
your router, that means you need to enter the unique MAC numbers of your
adapters in to the router setup pages (you need to read the manual, I am not
familiar with BT's kit).

Anyone within range can 'listen' to your wireless traffic. They could obtain
some personal information etc. IF they try long and hard enough. Any traffic
with secure websites is encrypted,
so your credit card numbers and banking details / passwords are secure
enough.
However you can encrypt ALL your wireless traffic using WEP, or more secure
WPA on newer routers. Again you need to read your manual.
Regards,
Martin