Just got a laptop and need to set wireless on my router

[etrin]

Using a buffalo with tomato but that should not make any difference (ok I dont' think it will LOL)

I just got a laptop and wanted to set it up as the only wireless device that the router would allow to have access.

what should I do to get this done?

Right now all I did was enable wap and set up and connected but this is not what I want.

 

[JackMDS]

First make sure that the Wireless work OK without security.

Set the security to the desired/possible level in the Wireless Router and generate a Key, then you set the laptop with the same key.

Do not turn off your SSID, it might destabilize the connection, and it is No adding any security.

http://www.ezlan.net/faq.html#ssid

When you are in a public places if the Hot Spot is open you have to temporary disable the security on your laptop.

Otherwise, ask Da Man in charge what the security configuration is? If your Wireless Utility shows Secure Wireless, you need to get the password from the owner of the Hot Spot.

If you opt (or forced) to use WEP encryption read this, http://www.ezlan.net/faq.html#wep

If you see in the configuration menus a reference to 802.11x authentication leave it unchecked, it is used in the business world with special logon servers.

From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.

No Security
MAC______(Band Aid if nothing else is available).
WEP64____(Easy, to "Brake" by knowledgeable people).
WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).
WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to Brake ).
WPA-AES__(Not functionally Breakable)
WPA2____ (Not functionally Breakable).

Note 1: WPA-AES the the current entry level rendition of WPA2.

Note 2: If you use WinXP and did not updated it you would have to download the WPA2 patch from Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357

The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless Computer's Card) should state the type of security that is available with your Wireless hardware.

All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass phrase.

Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best possible of one of the Wireless devices.

I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max . of WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.

If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that can do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace the device with a better one.

Setting Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

The Core differences between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 - http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html

 

[etrin]

yes I am connecting and using the network just fine.
BUT I only want this one laptop to be able to access the wireless part of the router.

Should I block anyone by setting up the mac address of the laptop or what so that only this one machine can get access thru the wireless part of the router?

 

[spidey07]

No, you should use WPA, pre-shared key. Use a long complex key and you're done.

Only computers/people you give the key can connect. mac-address filtering is not a security measure.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: etrin
yes I am connecting and using the network just fine.
BUT I only want this one laptop to be able to access the wireless part of the router.

Should I block anyone by setting up the mac address of the laptop or what so that only this one machine can get access thru the wireless part of the router?

Sure you can Block any one who does Not how to spoof MAC address.

You consider it secure?

 

[etrin]

Thanks guys.

hey wanted to ask where do they get the mac address to spoof...over the wireless when it tries to authenticate?

Will set up WPA...thanks for the help

thanks for the links JackMDS these will come in handy.