I am told that anyone could get free internet by just being in range of my wireless signel and be able to log on how do i stop unautherised people gaining access
2007-01-12 08:41:44 · 5 answers · asked by tonyinspain 5 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
People can only use your internet, if you don't protect your router and wireless connection.
1) Make sure you have changed the router password from the default. For example, on a Belkin router, the default password is "blank".
2) I would agree with lv_consultant and set up MAC Address Filtering. Every wireless and network card has a unique MAC address. By filtering it, then you are able to control who is on your network. It is difficult to spoof a MAC address and doesn't affect bandwidth.
WEP or WPA encryption while more difficult to hack, slows down the available bandwidth and connection speed.
If you don't have MAC address filltering or encryption enabled, then anyone within 50-100 ft have the potential to see your wireless router and just connect for free.
2007-01-12 08:56:01 · answer #1 · answered by techman2000 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are two methods to prevent a typical WiFi user from gaining access to your broadband:
(1) Enabling Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), intended to provide comparable confidentiality to a traditional wired network (in particular it does not protect users of the network from each other), hence the name.
(2) Configure the router to accept only certain MAC addresses from accessing the router.
Bear in mind that this is not 100% protection against a very-experienced hacker. Using WEP keys and MAC addresses is simply to keep out the day-to-day wireless users.
2007-01-12 16:49:16 · answer #2 · answered by ♫ Life is a Highway ♫ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go into your router's settings and activate its "WEP" functions. Your router's manual should tell you how to do this.
By doing this, you will encrypt all the data on your wireless connection, so nobody will be able to access it except for your machines.
2007-01-12 16:48:01 · answer #3 · answered by Chip 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
follow the instructions in the User Guide on how to set up the wireless security features and MAC address filtering...takes about 15 minutes to read the info and 5 to implement it...
2007-01-12 16:46:17 · answer #4 · answered by lv_consultant 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Setup a password and encryption on your router. The router documentation or web page will tell you how.
2007-01-12 16:45:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋