Should I encrypt my wireless router?

[Greg Masters]

Yesterday's installation of a Wii (the youngster's birthday present!!) in the household reminded me that my Linksys wireless router is unencrypted.

As I have unmetered broadband, is this really an issue?



Greg

 

[cookie]

i would.

 

[AxeGrinder]

It's an issue

Yesterday's installation of a Wii (the youngster's birthday present!!) in the household reminded me that my Linksys wireless router is unencrypted.

As I have unmetered broadband, is this really an issue?



Greg

If you don't want your neighbors or people outside your house to get a free broadband connection, then I would...

I also would if I didn't want hackers snooping into my network/PC/private docs and anything else you may hold precious, such as banking info etc...

 

[Slowdown]

Picture the scene...

Someone wanders around your neighbourhood with a PDA, noting all the location of 'free' internet access on their GPS. They then go home and publish this list on a website.


Such as:-

http://www.hotspot-locations.co.uk/



My fiver says you encrypt your box as soon as you get home

 

[unhinged]

Mine is unencrypted so that my neighbours (and people in the pub) can use it if they want. Things like my e-mail are all encrypted so even though the traffic can be snooped unencrypted (no WEP/WPA) off the air, the actual traffic is encrypted (SSL). You do need to be more careful that web sites you might be using are using encryption for things like credit cards etc and instant messenger traffic can be monitored if you don't connect to an encrypted server.

If you're worried about it and still want to share then it might be worth getting another AP that is encrypted for all personal use.

Edit: after reading what other people have put here, I might add that my access point is located outside my firewall.

 

[theEnglishman]

Personally, I'd be worried that a broadband account in my name could be used by anyone to download p0rn etc without me knowing. And then having one hell of a time trying to convince TPTB that I'm innocent.

I could use any of 8 internet connections from my home. But I'm sure they ain't using mine

So, for 5 minutes work I am as sure as possible (WPA) that it's only me using the wireless link.

 

[Greg Masters]

I also would if I didn't want hackers snooping into my network/PC/private docs and anything else you may hold precious, such as banking info etc...

The PC that I use at home is hard-wired through the router - it's only the youngster's PC and now the Wii that uses the wireless.

I assume that this means that my own PC is secure(??), but if anyone wishes to hack into the youngster's Bebo account, be my guest!

Greg

 

[Clive]

As I have unmetered broadband, is this really an issue?

Unmetered doesn't mean it is unmonitored (at the ISP end)

Do you want to be linked with "dubious" sites/newsgroups etc?

 

[Clive]

The PC that I use at home is hard-wired through the router - it's only the youngster's PC and now the Wii that uses the wireless.

I assume that this means that my own PC is secure(??), but if anyone wishes to hack into the youngster's Bebo account, be my guest!

I doubt your network is complicated i.e. your router is dishing out IP addresses and therefore all PCs wired/wireless are on the same subnet allowing anyone who can hack into one PC to hack into all.

 

[AxeGrinder]

The PC that I use at home is hard-wired through the router - it's only the youngster's PC and now the Wii that uses the wireless.

I assume that this means that my own PC is secure(??), but if anyone wishes to hack into the youngster's Bebo account, be my guest!

Greg

I would say that if someone can hack into your youngsters PC, then from there, your net is their oyster!

 

[Steve]

Do you want to be linked with "dubious" sites/newsgroups etc?

Any more than he already is, you mean?

 

[cookie]

i have to ask, why not encrypt it?

 

[Greg Masters]

Unmetered doesn't mean it is unmonitored (at the ISP end)

Do you want to be linked with "dubious" sites/newsgroups etc?

Do you mean that I can blame others?



Greg

 

[Greg Masters]

i have to ask, why not encrypt it?

Because I have to read the 99-page Linksys User Guide to find out how to do it!

Than I have to find out how to match the youngster's PC to the encryption. Then I'll have to do the Wii too!

Then I'll have passers-by and neighbours knocking on my door asking why I've now encrypted it and what the password is!!




Greg

 

[unhinged]

Do you mean that I can blame others?



Greg

Not if we're anything like the US!

 

[Attleborough]

Personally, I'd be worried that a broadband account in my name could be used by some piece of crap to sit outside or round the corner and download loads of child p0rn etc without me knowing. And then having one hell of a time trying to convince etc etc....

Amended for reality...

 

[judge]

Because I have to read the 99-page Linksys User Guide to find out how to do it!

Than I have to find out how to match the youngster's PC to the encryption. Then I'll have to do the Wii too!

Then I'll have passers-by and neighbours knocking on my door asking why I've now encrypted it and what the password is!!




Greg

Its a piece of pish - get it sorted

Start - Run type "CMD" and press enter key

make a note of gateway IP address.

open up web browser

type http://{the ip address as you recorded it} in the address bar, then press enter

you should now be at your routers configuration page

select Wireless or Wireless Security

Enable encryption - choose WPA (don't ask why just do it)

Give it a passphrase - (something you will remember)

Apply or Save Settings

Once this is done child's laptop will lose the wi-fi connection, fine just view available wireless connections, find yours (it will now have a padlock next to it)

Select & connect

It will prompt for passphrase, put it in confirm and voila on-line again.

Repeat for Wii (even easier from memory)

Job done, now be a bit more discreet in your recreational browsing as you have no excuse now

 

[judge]

Its a piece of pish - get it sorted

Start - Run type "CMD" and press enter key

make a note of gateway IP address.

open up web browser

type http://{the ip address as you recorded it} in the address bar, then press enter

you should now be at your routers configuration page

select Wireless or Wireless Security

Enable encryption - choose WPA (don't ask why just do it)

Give it a passphrase - (something you will remember)

Apply or Save Settings

Once this is done child's laptop will lose the wi-fi connection, fine just view available wireless connections, find yours (it will now have a padlock next to it)

Select & connect

It will prompt for passphrase, put it in confirm and voila on-line again.

Repeat for Wii (even easier from memory)

Job done, now be a bit more discreet in your recreational browsing as you have no excuse now

PC World charge £79.99 for that little lot, I'm not nearly that cheap

 

[Eunuch]

Good advice Judge.

For the sake of just a little more anal security I'd advise adding MAC filtering too. Of course its all breakable but like most things its to stop the casual tie-rags from getting you. WPA at minimum, MAC filtering is probably the next easiest thing to add.

And another thing ... I still use wireless for the work laptop but I've started running Ethernet over the power plugs so I get decent broadband in rooms some way away from your broadband source/router. I'm much happier using a wired solution and these solwise babies have been fabulous. They are simply using the cable connecting your power sockets to run your broadband room to room.

http://www.solwise.co.uk/net-powerline-pl-85pe.htm

 

[judge]

Its a piece of pish - get it sorted

Start - Run type "CMD" and press enter key

EDIT: type "IPCONFIG/ALL" then press enter key

make a note of gateway IP address.

open up web browser

Does no one check this nonsense I write? (Don't answer that) I did that before I done the best part of a bottle of Pinot Grigio