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New to Wireless LAN/Security

theknight571

Platinum Member
Ok.. so Best Buy had a Black Friday deal on this D-Link "Starter Kit".

It was $14 after rebates, so I figured WTH and bought it. (Here's hoping all rebates go though 🙂)

I'm getting ready to set it up and was doing some reading on securing it.

Here's the steps it looks like I should be taking. Some of it might be overkill, but I'm just listing items from my notes.

- Change SSID at a minimum, Change and disable broadcast of SSID (even better?)
- Use MAC Address filtering
- Assign fixed IP address (disable DHCP)
- WPA with long, random passcode
- Change Admin ID/Password on router
- Diable remote administration
- Change address of router and address range of IP addresses

We don't do any ultrasecret government work or anything like that... just our banking etc.

The "main" PC, where most of our financial activities take place, will be hard wired and not using the wireless, but I want to secure the network as much as possible anyway. 🙂

Am I missing anything or is it too much?

Just looking for some advice from more experienced wireless users.

Thanks.

- TK
 
Looks good to me. If you live "in the sticks" you won't have to worry much but if you are in a more tightly packed with people area then you may want to turn down the power on the routers transmit signal as an added mesure.
 
Thanks... once I have it setup and working.. I'll walk around and check signal strength and go from there.

I do live in an older neighborhood where the houses are close together.

The average age of my nieghbors has got to be about 60 though... they're still getting used to ATM cards. lol

However...I'll check the signal strength and adjust as necessary. Them older folk can be pretty sneaky ya know. 🙂

- TK
 
For even better security, use WPA2 Personal mode if possible (WPA-PSK w/ AES instead of RC4). Like you said, make the passphrase long and random. The Diceware system is ideal for this. A good passphrase would be between 5-8 Dicewords.
 
Wooohooo!!!

Welcome to my first wireless post.

Got it up and running.. and posting from the living room. :thumbsup:

Just thought I'd share. 🙂

Doesn't work too well in the basement though... might have to experiment with router placement.... but at least it works.

Thanks for your hlep and for listening.

- TK
 
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