Best way to secure a wireless router

[DGath]

Pretty much a newbie question, but what are the steps that should be taken to secure a wireless connection as much as possible. The only things that come to mind are...
1) Grant only specific MAC addresses access (if possible)
2) WEP

Does disabling SSID broadcast do anything other than not broadcast the name?

Then also what is WPA-PSK?

Thanks

 

[DGath]

Came across this website...
http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

It briefly mentions WPA-PSK, my netgear router has those capabilities, but I can't figure out if my IPAQ can use that or not. For the time being I guess I'll just use 128-bit WEP.

 

[DGath]

I set up 128-bit WEP and it connected fine, but I was unable to load up any webpages, then I disabled WEP and webpages open up fine, how come that happened?

 

[tallman45]

Wep security only handles the encryption between the devices on the wireless lan, not beyond. It should have no impact on your connections to the internet. What may have happened is that the security keys did not authenticate up between the base station and the remote end, and they are not communicating with each other.

Also remember that MAC addresses can be spoofed

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: tallman45
Also remember that MAC addresses can be spoofed

Yeah I just saw it the other day on StarTrek. Very easy to do?:evil::Q

 

[eklass]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: tallman45
Also remember that MAC addresses can be spoofed

and quite easily might i add. when i get kicked off my network here, i just change up my mac address and grab a new ip

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: DGath
I set up 128-bit WEP and it connected fine, but I was unable to load up any webpages, then I disabled WEP and webpages open up fine, how come that happened?

Did you generate a Key on the Router and type it in on the PC?

 

[DGath]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: DGath
I set up 128-bit WEP and it connected fine, but I was unable to load up any webpages, then I disabled WEP and webpages open up fine, how come that happened?

Did you generate a Key on the Router and type it in on the PC?

Yup, long key, like 20 digits or so. Says it connected, but wouldn't load up anything. Maybe I'll try it again later.

 

[sadat]

Using SSID Broadcast turned off will help but not much. One extra layer of safeguard.

Two things I would do.
1. Mac address filter ( disable all mac addresses by default and add your to safe list)
2. 128bit Key WEP encryption. It should contain 26 numbers/letters. Generate one yourself. Include numbers 1-9 and letters A-F only.
3. Turn SSID broadcast off.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Best way to secure a wireless router nowadays is the power switch.