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Old 01-03-2009, 11:45 PM   #1 (permalink)
She's Actual Size
 
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Location: Central Republic of Where-in-the-Hell
Wireless Internet: teach me, oh wise ones.

I got a laptop for Christmas (wooo!), that has wireless capabilities. I like to think I'm somewhat computer-savvy (well, more than your basic user, anyway), but I know pretty much nothing about wireless stuff.

There's an unsecured network available, but I'm wary of using it. How do I go about getting my own (and securing it, for that matter)?
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Old 01-04-2009, 01:40 AM   #2 (permalink)
Upright
 
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Location: Arkansas
I was recently in this boat and I too knew nothing about the wireless capabilities.

In my case I:

a) contacted my local cable company for cable internet, and then

b) went to Wal-Mart and bought a wireless router (mine was about $35, I think, and WELL worth every penny)

I have used the "unsecure connection" when at my mother's (where there is no other option) without incident. But I prefer not to and I don't do anything like check bank account or make credit card purchases while using it.

Once home with the wireless router, the instructions on the disc were simple to use and I was up and running in no time. And it will tell you how to secure your connection.

I hope this is helpful.
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Old 01-04-2009, 08:59 AM   #3 (permalink)
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Location: Flint, MI
If you call your internet provider, assuming you have broadband, they will sometimes provide a wireless router that is integrated with you cable/dsl modem.

If not, so as slightlyaskew said, and purchase you own wireless router. Stay away from the big name electronics stores (Be$t Buy, Circuit City, etc) and either find a local PC shop, or shop online. I suggest newegg.com.

Once you set it up, I have two mandatory tips:

1. Change the default password. Too many people do not and that is the first thing a hacker will try.

2. Set up encryption. An open network allows your neighbors to use you connection for free, as you already know since you mentioned using someone's.

If you go to a local shop to buy one, they may have a reasonable rate for home set up. Shop around. If not, see if someone in your IT department where you work (if you have one) can help you out, but don't assume they'll do it for free. Most techs do work on the side, and will do it cheaper than most PC shops.
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Old 01-05-2009, 12:47 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Location: Central Republic of Where-in-the-Hell
Awesome. Thanks, guys, you rock

I'll try the cable company first, since we have the digital internet/cable/phone package, but if that falls through, there's a local shop I can hit.

How hard is it to set up a router/network? I've done all the setup on other computer "accessories," so if it's not any more complicated than say, a scanner or a printer (which are pretty basic), I won't need to pay someone else. Which would be cool.
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Old 01-05-2009, 08:05 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Location: Oregon
Quote:
Originally Posted by CinnamonGirl View Post
Awesome. Thanks, guys, you rock

I'll try the cable company first, since we have the digital internet/cable/phone package, but if that falls through, there's a local shop I can hit.

How hard is it to set up a router/network? I've done all the setup on other computer "accessories," so if it's not any more complicated than say, a scanner or a printer (which are pretty basic), I won't need to pay someone else. Which would be cool.
It's pretty simple, and a good router should come with good instructions. Just follow them and you should be fine. Changing the SSID/password/upgrading the encryption can be a little more difficult depending on what router you choose, but even then it's still not that hard--typically just a matter of entering a default IP (should be in the documentation with the router) into a browser window, perhaps entering in the default password, and then you'll be able to change things in the browser window. I would change the login for your router as well after you access it, like God of Thunder suggested. Some routers have programs that will do all of the above, without using a browser and the IP address to do so.
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Old 01-05-2009, 11:08 AM   #6 (permalink)
Upright
 
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Location: Arkansas
Quote:
Originally Posted by onesnowyowl View Post
It's pretty simple, and a good router should come with good instructions. Just follow them and you should be fine. Changing the SSID/password/upgrading the encryption can be a little more difficult depending on what router you choose, but even then it's still not that hard--typically just a matter of entering a default IP (should be in the documentation with the router) into a browser window, perhaps entering in the default password, and then you'll be able to change things in the browser window. I would change the login for your router as well after you access it, like God of Thunder suggested. Some routers have programs that will do all of the above, without using a browser and the IP address to do so.
The one I bought was a Netgear router. I don't recall it asking me anything regarding the IP address in order to change the SSID/password/encryption, so it must have detected that information on its own. It was all pretty painless. Even for a novice like myself.
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Old 01-05-2009, 01:13 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Location: Oregon
Quote:
Originally Posted by slightlyaskew View Post
The one I bought was a Netgear router. I don't recall it asking me anything regarding the IP address in order to change the SSID/password/encryption, so it must have detected that information on its own. It was all pretty painless. Even for a novice like myself.
Some routers come with proprietary software to interface with the router, versus entering the IP into the browser and interfacing with the router that way.
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Old 01-06-2009, 03:46 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Location: The Great White North
Quote:
Originally Posted by slightlyaskew View Post
The one I bought was a Netgear router. I don't recall it asking me anything regarding the IP address in order to change the SSID/password/encryption, so it must have detected that information on its own. It was all pretty painless. Even for a novice like myself.
Netgear is the brand my company has us use with laptops at home for company business on the company system. The IT department likes this firewall.
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Old 04-13-2009, 09:14 AM   #9 (permalink)
Tilted
 
Location: Chicago
CG,

I agree with all that's said above, and add a few suggestions of my own.

1. change the default login and password for your router itself.

Most companies publish this information freely, so a enemy could easily ping your router and then try logging in directly. It goes without saying that once an enemy has control of your router they also have control over everything connected to that router. However that isn't the worst bit of it, the worst that could possibly happen is that they use your internet connection do do something illegal, like massive file sharing of music or movies, underage photographs, things of that nature. Since they are on your network and are using your IP, its possible that you (not them) could be answering the door when the men in black suits come a knocking.

2. Encryption - WPA2-PSK at minimum
When wireless routers first appeared on the scene, a very basic encryption called WEP (Wired Equivalent Protocol) was implemented. However it's sad to say that cracking a WEP is very easy (for examples just google "hacking wep" to see what I mean.) There have been two further advances in wireless encryption since then, WPA and WPA2. WPA2 is about as secure as it gets for a home installation. The downside being that some older networking cards might not be able to support WPA2.

The good news is that WPA2-PSK is very easy to setup, and very easy to distribute the 'pass-phrase' to each item on your network (laptops, Wii, Xbox360, etc.)

I'll leave you with a good further reading page, and of course contact us here with any further questions. The article is a bit in depth, and goes beyond what I've mentioned here, just FYI.

The ABCs of securing your wireless network - Ars Technica

Good Luck!
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Old 04-13-2009, 09:30 AM   #10 (permalink)
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Location: Canada
WEP is Wired Equivalent Privacy, not Wired Equivalent Protocol. </nitpick>

And yes, it's very very broken. Cracked in 5 minutes or less kind of broken.

Either flavour of WPA (Wi-fi Protected Access) will do the job. The difference between WPA and WPA 2 is highly technical, but it has mainly to do with algorithms, if you can dig that.

PSK stands for Pre-Shared Key, and it's exactly what you'd expect. Standard password rules apply: your passphrase should be at least 8 characters (ideally 16 or more), alphanumeric, preferably a random string. Or you can use a randomly generated 64 character hexadecimal number. Just make sure you write it down.

All hardware made after 2000 will support WPA 1/2. It's just a firmware upgrade to implement support on older cards.
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Old 04-13-2009, 10:15 AM   #11 (permalink)
Tone.
 
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don't forget your first line of defense - MAC filtering. They can't do much on your network if the network refuses to talk to their wireless card.
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