Wireless Router Protection?

Question

I just bought this router from Linksys (WRT54G) and it doesn't have WEP encrytion. What other ways can I protect my network, so my neigbors don't try and use my internet connection?

Please lick on the link to see item's specifications.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=628108&Sku=L48-2230

Is this item secured?

Oooopppss... Should have proof-read. Sorry for the spelling.

Manny Calavera, how do I enable WEP or WPA protection? Do I need to pop the software in?

Also, when my brother tries to connect to it, he says that his computer is showing the router not being secured or the security/encryption is disabled. How do I enable this?

Manny, I don't see a drop-down list of what you stated.

Do I need to update the firmware? Because it doesn't seem like I have those options you describe.

Answer 1

I have the WRT54G and it offers WEP (bad) and WPA (better) security. You may also disable the SSID broadcast and give a weird (like series of letter like omgwtfbbq) name to your SSID. Then you add this connection on your computer with a specific name (you won't find it if you "actualise wireless network list". You can also only autorise only the MAC adress of your computer(s) on the network. Those three protections step together can assure you a not so bad security for evereday neighbors ;o)

To enable it, simply log onto the router (192.168.1.1 by default with l:admin p:admin) and click on wireless tab on top. Then there will be 4-5 subtabs. The second one is security, you'll find a combobox from which you can choose WAP, WAP-Entreprise, WAP-2, etc... Then enter a passphrase or "key". Click apply. This will reset your router and now your network will be secured. Be sure to do this with a WIRED connection because if you have trouble then you wont be able to make any changes with a wireless connection ;)

When the router will be reseted, then your brother should see it as a secure network

Answer 2

The page you refer to says:

To protect your data and privacy, the Wireless-G Broadband Router can encode all wireless transmissions using 128-bit WEP encryption, and also supports industrial-strength Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) wireless security.

So your router does have WEP encryption. It also has WPA.

Alternatively, you can disable SSID broadcast (so that you can only use your wireless router if you know its name) and limit access to the router to the wireless devices you specify. This, however, is not a perfect solution, since disabling SSID broadcast is pure security by obscurity, and you can only identify wireless devices by their MAC addresses, which are not unique...

Answer 3

------------------------
# Security:
- Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) Firewall
- Internet Policy
- Packet Filters
- Wireless Security Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
- Wireless MAC Filtering
------------------------

It has WPA security which is more secure than WEP, though your wireless device must support WPA for it to use - in simple terms the difference between WPA and WEP is that:
- WEP is where your router is defined an encrypted code which is used by your wireless device all the time when you connect to your router
- WPA is where you define a word/phrase which is encyrpted with a different code each time your wireless device connects to it
So, WEP uses one permanant encryted code and WPA uses a diffferent code each time.

You can also change your password to your settings/config page and don't allow remote config. Also, you can prevent your network from being seen by others (broadcast).

---- edit

you edit your router config settings go to http://192.168.1.1 (default username and password is "admin") you shoudl then have access to wireless config settings and look for WPA -activate the security if not already activated.

Answer 4

Go to the URL Listed below.

Download the User Guide for the WRT54G - Wireless-G Broadband Router . You need adobe reader to view. Go to page 47. This will guide you to setup WEP.

If you don't have adobe reader go here

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Answer 5

dude be a good neigbor and let the kid across the street use your connection to download porn. its all good unless he starts using mad bandwith.

Answer 6

it should have software to help you set up protection