Configuring a wireless network. Gahh! Thud.

[cowboyz]

the simple range of the thing is all the protection I need. I can access the wireless from anywhere in my house but go out to the road and it loses signal.
default password is blank for the DIR215. User is "admin"

just plug a cable into it to configure the wireless.

[Hitcher]

just plug a cable into it to configure the wireless.

Cable always in. The router is between the TelstraClear modem and the desktop.

[steve_t]

I'm not having baggy arsed local script kiddies leeching off my connection and launching "hilarious" DoS attacks from any IP addy that I happened to pick up from my ISP thanks.

The world is full of morons looking for a free ride. Stop handing out free rides.

If these baggy arsed kiddies are running around your neighbourhood with laptops and know how to sniff a MAC address, they probably also know how to crack WEP, WPA and maybe even WPA2. Sure it might take 2 minutes longer to crack the encryption but if they really want to get on your network, they will. Like people breaking into your house, if they REALLY want to, it doesn't matter what locks or alarms or other security you have, they'll get in.
If you want security, the best at the moment is WPA2-PSK with a massively long password of random letters and numbers.
I understand the risk of only using mac filtering but I'm not telling u guys where I live so I reckon I'll be OK

[cowboyz]

Cable always in. The router is between the TelstraClear modem and the desktop.

is there a big red light on the right hand side of the router? Or is it green

You dont need to configure your wireless router for the internet. It will just pass through to the modem.

[Hitcher]

Lights on the router's panel are all green.

[The Stranger:Me]

One other thing I should note, and its becoming more and more of an issue. Before setting up your wireless network, take note of all the wireless networks around you, and what channel they are using.

How do you go about this?

[James Deuce]

If these baggy arsed kiddies are running around your neighbourhood with laptops and know how to sniff a MAC address, they probably also know how to crack WEP, WPA and maybe even WPA2. Sure it might take 2 minutes longer to crack the encryption but if they really want to get on your network, they will. Like people breaking into your house, if they REALLY want to, it doesn't matter what locks or alarms or other security you have, they'll get in.
If you want security, the best at the moment is WPA2-PSK with a massively long password of random letters and numbers.
I understand the risk of only using mac filtering but I'm not telling u guys where I live so I reckon I'll be OK

No, they always take the path of least resistance. Script kiddies and people who know what they are doing are two different things. There are a plethora of wireless networks, both encrypted and not with reasonable signal strength in close proximity to my house. There are at least 4 at any given time and I'm not going to be the exploited network thanks.

I'm not talking about experts who wouldn't piss on a home network. I'm talking lame arse dweebs who think they have a clue.

Encryption keys are made to be broken. You're thinking 2 dimensionally with your approach to security.

[yod]

i'm idaho!

[Gremlin]

How do you go about this?

It does depend what sort of gear you have, what hardware and software etc, but a couple of examples.

My Acer laptop has Intel ProSet Wireless, so I simply turn it on, turn on my wireless and look for wireless networks. It will find anything in range, and without connecting, I can look at the properties of each connection, and it will tell me what channel its on, even if the SSID isn't broadcast (it actually says, "SSID not broadcast" for the name, if I remember rightly )

Toshiba has an even more flash utility, that graphically shows (in a circle around you) where the networks are located, and you can see the properties of each network.

Then you simply pick a channel not used.

Re not using security, and MAC filtering instead. Yep, could do I guess, but no good for people that have no idea how it all works. When they buy new machines (often it happens regularly), to save a site visit, they only have to know the key for the network (format depends on which security is used, WEP, WPA etc) and enter it when prompted. If you have an unusual network range, you could also turn off DHCP, making it harder again, if you can set your own IP addy.

[The Stranger:Me]

It does depend what sort of gear you have, what hardware and software etc, but a couple of examples.

My Acer laptop has Intel ProSet Wireless, so I simply turn it on, turn on my wireless and look for wireless networks. It will find anything in range, and without connecting, I can look at the properties of each connection, and it will tell me what channel its on, even if the SSID isn't broadcast (it actually says, "SSID not broadcast" for the name, if I remember rightly )

Toshiba has an even more flash utility, that graphically shows (in a circle around you) where the networks are located, and you can see the properties of each network.

Then you simply pick a channel not used.

Interesting indeed. I must look at those options.
I use WiSpy. It does go a bit further as it shows interference on the various channels also. For example a microwave will always interfere with one or more channels. Sometimes also you see a lot of interference on certain channels at certain locations - like at Hobsonville, I guess due the proximity to the air base.
I find knowing this and allowing for it improves the reliability and speed of a network.
The backtrack Linux distro is also excellent for troubleshooting - or so I am told, because I wouldn't use something like that, being that it would be illegal and all.

[Pixie]

i'm idaho!

When I grow up,I'm going to bovine university

[CookMySock]

Re not using security, and MAC filtering instead. Yep, could do I guess, but no good for people that have no idea how it all works.

Naw the mac filter is much easier to set up than a shitload of keys. The mac address is on the bottom of the laptop or in the wireless settings. Just enter it on the router and it goes.

If you have an unusual network range, you could also turn off DHCP, making it harder again, if you can set your own IP addy.

Yeah, but that makes life really difficult whenever you want to attach another device. You shouldn't really be addressing your LAN by hand, because its a pain, and its easy to hash it up so all sorts of queer shit happens. Leave it to DHCP.

Start off with mac filter and SSID broadcast turned off. It will fucking inconvenient to break into that.. and then add encyption later when you get bored with everything working so well.

I'll use an open WLAN if I find it, and if someone finds mine they are welcome to use it. Not everyone is trying to download a couple of gigs of movies - sometimes they just want to look for a motel or check their trademe. Also this talk of script kiddies finding your WLAN to launch DDoS is a fiction. The only people firing off large scale DDoS are botnet owners, and they get paid to do it - it isn't about fun,


Steve

[jonbuoy]

No wireless passwords?? Your mad if you don´t secure your own home networks. Jeebus, its not that hard to enter the same password into a WAP and a PC. If you gave the SSID the same name make sure your PC has forgotten/refreshed available access points and isn´t trying to use the old password. Do you really want a strange and unknown user sniffing around on your home network? Its not only the internet they can get to - your own PC is vulnerable too and your totally reliant on your software firewall to protect you.

Mr Hitcher - Only one DHCP server handing out IP´s either your wireless access point OR your router. Make it easy on yourself and give the WAP a static IP so you can find it again when you need to configure it.

[Lias]

http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/

[Slicksta]

Interesting indeed. I must look at those options.
I use WiSpy. It does go a bit further as it shows interference on the various channels also. For example a microwave will always interfere with one or more channels. Sometimes also you see a lot of interference on certain channels at certain locations - like at Hobsonville, I guess due the proximity to the air base.
I find knowing this and allowing for it improves the reliability and speed of a network.
The backtrack Linux distro is also excellent for troubleshooting - or so I am told, because I wouldn't use something like that, being that it would be illegal and all.

I used to have all sorts of problems with interference brought a 802.11n 5gighz routor they all went away. 2.4gighz spectrum is way to crowded