Network Password on Vista

[Dominato3r]

I have 3 machines on my network, recent i saw my neighbors computer on my network map and i knew they were stealing my wireless. I need to know of a way to setup a password on a existing network.

All machines run vista, and there is a xbox on the network aswell. I can find any utility to make a password and i really don't want to create a new network. thanks in advance =D

 

[AnnonUSA]

Duh! Encrypt your wireless signal, change the encryption key, change the SSID and do not broadcast it. You should also have their MAC address so block that as well if you have that ability.

 

[RebateMonger]

Be aware that your neighbor may not KNOW he's stealing your WiFi. He may have accidentally connected to yours. It's pretty easy to do.

 

[Dominato3r]

Im not really smart in the networking department. Since vista came out all a person needs to know to have a network is plug cables together, nothing more. So how exactly do i encrypt it? Its not always my neighbor, ive noticed some random people taking advantage of my unprotected network.

Its a Dlink RangeBooster WRB 2310 router. Been using it for a a year or so with no troubles. So there is no way to add a password? only encryption?

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Dominato3r
Im not really smart in the networking department. Since vista came out all a person needs to know to have a network is plug cables together, nothing more. So how exactly do i encrypt it? Its not always my neighbor, ive noticed some random people taking advantage of my unprotected network.

Its a Dlink RangeBooster WRB 2310 router. Been using it for a a year or so with no troubles. So there is no way to add a password? only encryption?

Encryption on the router is adding a password. Only those that know the key will be able to use the connection.

 

[Dominato3r]

how exactly do i do that? go to the 198.162.0 thing on my browser? or does windows have a wizard for that?

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Dominato3r
how exactly do i do that? go to the 198.162.0 thing on my browser? or does windows have a wizard for that?

Log into your router's configuration page using a web browser. Example: my router's IP address on my network is 192.168.1.1, so that's what I'd type into the browser.

If you haven't changed the password on the router settings page, just use the default (whatever that might be - google may be able to tell you).

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Dominato3r
Im not really smart in the networking department. Since vista came out all a person needs to know to have a network is plug cables together, nothing more. So how exactly do i encrypt it? Its not always my neighbor, ive noticed some random people taking advantage of my unprotected network.

You should also know that, without encryption, anybody within range who cares to do so can read all traffic between your WiFi-connected PCs and your router. The only exception is self-encrypted traffic like SSL web sites.

 

[AnnonUSA]

yes and once you set router security, change the password on the router itself.

 

[JackMDS]

To configure the Wireless security on your specific Router you have to rad the manaul.

In general.

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

No Security
MAC______(Band Aid if nothing else is available).
WEP64____(Easy, to "Break" by knowledgeable people).
WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).
WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to Break).
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

 

[Dominato3r]

Alright, im about to setup a WPA2 encryption and its giving my options on Cipher Type and PSK / EAP . Should i set Cipher on auto, AES or TKIP?

The passphrase i believe will be the password

 

[JackMDS]

Quote from the post above.

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

 

[Dominato3r]

Alright i got it to work. thanks for your help guys