Router, computer security settings? - Computer Support & PC Help Forums

mred · 09-05-2008, 04:27 AM

Hello Everyone,
I have a question about wireless network security.
A neighbor installed my Dlink router for a wireless connection to my laptop and I am not sure about the security connections. [I know nothing about this]
When I go to Wireless Properties...Security...Security Type shows No Authentication{open}. There are other choices available in the list...
Also on the same page... under Encryption Type WEP comes up in that category. My password has 10 letters. There is also something that has Key Index 1.
My question is...Are these secure settings?

I checked several neighbors connections by putting cursors over their signal on available networks and Wpa-psk 802.11G comes up. My signal says WEP radio type 802.11G.

If my settings are not secure...how would I go about changing them?
Thanks everyone for your help.

**Dalo Harkin** · 09-05-2008, 06:16 AM

WEP is fine - if someone really wants to crack your router with either WEP or WPA PSK they will.
as long as you have some kind of password then its fine - it is not worth someones time that can crack a router to try and do so.

**Seth** · 09-05-2008, 01:37 PM

Agreed Dalo.

It's a common myth that the average home user needs anything more than WEP.

**AdvancedSetup** · 09-05-2008, 11:43 PM

really.... Well I suppose maybe you guys are further away from each other there in England/Canada. Here in the US people can and will get on your router and not only use bandwidth, but set a password and lock you out, causing you to have to manually reset the router.

Sorry mred but I can't agree with my co-posters on this subject.

You should use WPA2 AES and you should use a password that only you and others you trust know. You should also set the router up with a password to access the Administration page.

Basically with an open router it is very possible for someone to go in and set the settings so that only THEY can use it and lock YOU out of it. You would then have to press the RESET button to put it back to the default settings.

I'm not saying anyone WOULD do that, but it's child's play to do it and I've seen it done around our neighborhood.

It's very easy to setup and most routers even have a WIZARD to walk you through it.

.

**Dalo Harkin** · 09-06-2008, 02:45 AM

Advanced - the 'average' user cannot crack a WPA or a PSK password, it is very different here than in the US - our modems are not integrated with the router they are a seperate piece of hardware.

**AdvancedSetup** · 09-06-2008, 05:28 AM

With open WEP though there is no password and anyone can get onto the router, which is okay if you don't mind. But the admin page is another thing.

Just saying that at the VERY LEAST even if you keep it open WEP you should still put your own Admin password on the router to stop others from doing it.

I did keep my own open for a long time but after a while of people screwing around with it I finally locked mine up too. Seems some people just don't like it when you be nice and let them use it, they have to screw it up.

Can still be easily circumvented by someone that knows what they're doing, but at least it will keep most noobie people out of the router config pages.

Our routers are separate as well.

.

mred · 09-07-2008, 03:27 AM

Hi Everyone, Thanks for your help with my router problem. I have a few questions about the router password. There is some kind of password that I have with the router....user name "admin" and there is a password that goes with this. Is this the password that Advancedsetup is talking about this? AND, What does [Security Type...shows No Authentication{open}]mean? One final question...The wireless key that I was given by the cable company [10 digits] is a phone number. Do they give this phone number to everyone. In other words should this number be changed? Is this another kind of password? Thanks again for your help.

**Seth** · 09-07-2008, 02:22 PM

No authentication means that you have no encryption on the router. That means anyone in your area can access your router. That 10 digit number they gave you is the WEP encryption key, but it doesn't look like it it's activated now.

The username and password is different from the above. It allows or denies access to the routers internal program to make changes (like adding or changing the encrytion key). I suggest you change the username and password, then apply a different 10 digit wep encrytion key.

**Dalo Harkin** · 09-08-2008, 07:25 AM

Advanced - I totally agree - you do at the very least need the admin page passworded.