Hello! I'm at a home office with an approx 3-5 year old Linksys "B" wireless router: one of the earlier ones that's blue with 2 black antennas in the back.
I have only modest needs: one desktop (2 right now because i'm migrating from my old to my new) and a laptop, plus some misc gadgets here and there. my current laptop is around 3 yrs old and is B only, but it will have to be upgraded one day. i'm not particularly transferring large files wirelessly back and forth, so the B speed for accessing internet is just fine for now. Future? who knows, maybe i'd get into music, video more? but nothing immediately.
I'm getting increasingly concerned about all the talk about people hacking into and through the wireless routers that many have, despite the built in standard security in these typical, run of the mill wireless routers. the connection is: cable coax TO cable modem TO voip TO wireless router (which is hard connected to 2 desktops at the moment, 1 typically, and wireless connected to a laptop, plus sometimes other misc electronics).
My question is whether getting a brand new, current wireless router (i.e. a D Link pre-N wireless router) will significantly enhance my security, from the point of view that it would make it more difficult for people to try to hack in through the internet. I'm somewhat less concerned about people hacking in wirelessly, because the population of people within broadcast range, however large, would likely not be bigger than, say 100 people. Where as the number of people out there in the internet who has the capacity to hack in would be far greater.
I'm looking for a more secure solution: whether using hardware or software. The KEY requirement is that it is relatively easy to set up and then use. It would not be useful if ever other web site i visit would have trouble and i'd be so frustrated that i'd end up unplugging the new security device! nor would it be useful if i disabled some annoying software firewall. Ideally, the new hardware/software should be easy to set up, and just basically be there from them on - almost akin to the typical wireless routers that many, if not most, of us have at home. Once set up (and nowadays, set up is increasingly easy), it is forgotten, almost, and provide some level of a "hardware firewall" which significantly makes it more tough for people to break in/hack in.
I'm hoping that the solution(s) suggested by the good folks here would be practical, i.e. it doesn't have to only cost $50, but it ought not cost $1,500 either.
thank you all so much for helping me out and working this issue through.
I have only modest needs: one desktop (2 right now because i'm migrating from my old to my new) and a laptop, plus some misc gadgets here and there. my current laptop is around 3 yrs old and is B only, but it will have to be upgraded one day. i'm not particularly transferring large files wirelessly back and forth, so the B speed for accessing internet is just fine for now. Future? who knows, maybe i'd get into music, video more? but nothing immediately.
I'm getting increasingly concerned about all the talk about people hacking into and through the wireless routers that many have, despite the built in standard security in these typical, run of the mill wireless routers. the connection is: cable coax TO cable modem TO voip TO wireless router (which is hard connected to 2 desktops at the moment, 1 typically, and wireless connected to a laptop, plus sometimes other misc electronics).
My question is whether getting a brand new, current wireless router (i.e. a D Link pre-N wireless router) will significantly enhance my security, from the point of view that it would make it more difficult for people to try to hack in through the internet. I'm somewhat less concerned about people hacking in wirelessly, because the population of people within broadcast range, however large, would likely not be bigger than, say 100 people. Where as the number of people out there in the internet who has the capacity to hack in would be far greater.
I'm looking for a more secure solution: whether using hardware or software. The KEY requirement is that it is relatively easy to set up and then use. It would not be useful if ever other web site i visit would have trouble and i'd be so frustrated that i'd end up unplugging the new security device! nor would it be useful if i disabled some annoying software firewall. Ideally, the new hardware/software should be easy to set up, and just basically be there from them on - almost akin to the typical wireless routers that many, if not most, of us have at home. Once set up (and nowadays, set up is increasingly easy), it is forgotten, almost, and provide some level of a "hardware firewall" which significantly makes it more tough for people to break in/hack in.
I'm hoping that the solution(s) suggested by the good folks here would be practical, i.e. it doesn't have to only cost $50, but it ought not cost $1,500 either.
thank you all so much for helping me out and working this issue through.
:shocked:
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