A question about wireless..

[DERVW]

ok, i've search, and unfortunatly didn't get my question answered..

I know the basic stuff about wireless networking, but the only question i have, is people getting access to my wireless network.. How can u prevent that?

For example, my lynksys router just crapped out on me, after 2 or so years of usage.. and i'm deciding if i should go wireless.. but i'm just worried that if i set up a wireless network, can my neighbours access my internet connection? Which i dont want.. i have heard things that you can, but i really never got a straight answer..

If this is a dumb question.. sorry, but i need to know if i should stick to a wired network..

thanks.

 

[dpm]

Wireless networks have a bad reputation for security because many have been set up without any thought, but it is quite easy to run a well protected one.

If you are just running a small home network, then there are basically three steps you need to take;

1) enable encryption and use a non-obvious key - see your access points manual for this

2) Disable ESSID broadcase on your access point. ESSID is basically the network name -if you arent broadcasting it, someone scanning for nearby networks doesn't see yours.

3) Use MAC addresses to add another layer of authentication.

Sorry, I can see i'm not explaining this very well, but there's a decent guide here that explains all this much better than i can!

 

[JackMDS]

Welcome to AnandTech Netwrok Forum.

May be this can Help.

Link to: Wireless Security for the Home User.

On Security.

Hopefully by the next two iteration of Wireless Security issues will greatly improve.

The Next standard 802.11i probably will do the following.

"The 802.11i draft now circulating is for a security algorithm called Temporal Key Integrity Protocol. Developed with the help of some of the encryption experts that exposed WEP's vulnerabilities, TKIP, like WEP, is based on RC4 encryption--but implemented in a different way that addresses those vulnerabilities, Eaton says. Among other things it generates new encryption keys for every 10 kilobytes of data transmitted". (Quote from InfoWorld).

Currently the constant bickering about? Security are really "Silly".

If you own a construction company and you need a Bulldozer, you buy one and you pay over $100,000.

If you are a "Soccer Mom/Dad" you can not complain on the unavailability of a $20.000 range Bulldozer to take your kids to practice.

Inexpensive Wireless is not meant to be use by Banks, Hospitals, Security Agencies, etc.

If you need absolute security use wires, or?

Wi-Fi Watchdog 3.0.

This security software uses location-based technology that http://www.newburynetworks.com/ has been working on since its inception. It will do more than just detect rogues and unauthorized users -- it can create a physical barrier against them. Security policies can now be based on the location of the users or intruders.

"Location makes all the difference in avoiding false positives."

This program has a starting price of $29,995. (That is 29 thousands).