Networking/security dilemma ... should I go wireless?

[Maverick2002]

Hi,

I just moved into a new place and coax cable wiring is a little jacked up. I'm already going to have to stretch one coax across the floor/wall/or ceiling for my cable tv. As for my office, the main coax jack for my modem/router happens to be in the bedroom, not my office. As a result I'm temporarily stretching a 50ft cat6 cable to have internet.

I have a password-protected, functional wireless-G network up, but I was always under the impression that it's a lot less secure than a land line. I'm a little paranoid about doing bank transactions and any personal things over a wireless line.

So .. I have a few questions:

1) Is a password protected wireless network any less secure than a land line?
2) Does having an active wireless network (as part of a land line network) compromise the security of the land line network? Even if there's no file sharing/shared drives?
3) What's the most secure type of wireless network/encryption type?
4) What's the fastest? N?

One of my other options is to use an AV network plug and just run the signal through my wall electricity, but that's extra $$ and may not be the best solution (I would definitely want to plug my ethernet line through my UPS then).

If I do go wireless, I'm not sure what kind of noticeable difference in speed I would be seeing. I rarely download/upload large files. Most of my internet traffic is website based with some gaming, so fast loading times/low ping is important, but overall throughput doesn't have to max out a 54mbps line I would think?

 

[spidey07]

Use WPA2/AES pre-shared key with a random key of 12 characters or more and change case and use special characters. Nobody will ever be able to read or access your wireless with that.

On the gaming aspect wireless can be flaky for gaming, it just depends on your environment.

 

[Maverick2002]

Thanks ... with regards to environment, briefly what kind of factors am I looking at? My total distance between router > gaming machine is ~20-30ft with a bathroom in-between the two rooms. There's a hallway with open doors to both the bedroom and office.

Also, should I look into something faster than wireless-g for that? Or is it sufficient?

 

[TheKub]

Originally posted by: Maverick2002
1) Is a password protected wireless network any less secure than a land line?
2) Does having an active wireless network (as part of a land line network) compromise the security of the land line network? Even if there's no file sharing/shared drives?
3) What's the most secure type of wireless network/encryption type?
4) What's the fastest? N?

1. If it is using wpa2 (not wpa\wep) and a long randomly generated password would be very secure.
2. See above
3. See above
4. Yes N is the fastest, but depending on what you are doing you may not need the extra bandwidth.

What do you normaly do on your network?

Strong Password Generator

 

[Tommouse]

Microwaves/vacuums can mess with your signal, but then again I don't have a microwave in my bathroom, so it may not be a concern

Wireless G is advertised as 54Mbps, but you will rarely see more than 22ish of real world throughput. Still, that's most than most broadband connections, but that's the tops, get farther away, or get some interference and it will drop significantly.

Also, do a quick wireless survey before setting up your wireless. See if there are others in your area, and what channel they're on, and then try to avoid it. The 3 channels you want to use are 1, 6, and 11. So pick the least used one out of those three for the best results.

 

[Maverick2002]

Thanks for the extra info. How do I tell what channel they're on? I've never seen that rollout in the Windows Wireless Networking app.

Kub - I predominantly do internet browsing (I am impatient so I do want sites to load fast) and gaming. Not much in the way of large file downloads.

No I don't have a microwave in my bathroom, but now you're giving me ideas ...

 

[TheKub]

Originally posted by: Maverick2002
Kub - I predominantly do internet browsing (I am impatient so I do want sites to load fast) and gaming. Not much in the way of large file downloads.

Well then wireless should be more than enough for that. Even with mediocre signal strength your internet connection is likely to be the bottleneck.

 

[Emulex]

fireup a wifi scanner and do a site survey in the various parts of your house.

you'll see all the clients and AP's and find the least busy signal area.

if you are into illegal stuff you could do the japan install and go to channel 14