Author Topic: Re: Wireless internet (Read 3090 times)

Harlequin · « **on:** February 26, 2006, 11:59:00 AM »

How secure is wireless Internet the kids have been on at me to get a wireless connection, my main concern is security or am I being over cautious

JohnnyCastaway · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2006, 12:14:00 PM »

Hi Chris

Wireless can be a security issue, but most of the wireless routers offer security features, in the form of "access codes" where you create a 10 or 26 digit access code (or key phrase, depending on the manufacturer) that you need to put into your computer in order to use the wireless, or by a process called "MAC address filtering". Every network card made has a unique hardware address (in the form of 00-3e-aa-22-a1 or something similar.) you input these addresses for all your computers and restrict access to only those computers for the wireless.

both work well, but to make sure that you are secure, one of those measures has to be implemented. In some cases, you can implement both.

I've got our house setup for wireless using the keycodes, never had a break in.

when looking for a wireless router, stay with brand names, Dlink, Linksys are the best.

Hope that helps

Harlequin · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2006, 01:14:00 PM »

Cheers for that John, will start having a look around, just got to sort the kids laptop out first think I will end up formating it

avidmerrion · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2006, 03:00:00 PM »

We use wireless in the house with no problems, but as John said make sure you turn the security settings on. At my mothers you can connect to one of the neighbours networks as they have no security lol. I have set up 3com dlink and Linksys wireless networks, and have found the Linksys ones to be the most user friendly, as they walk you through the security setup.