I feel like a total noob

[Heller]

well, i feel kinda ashamed asking this question since i can build/repair computer hardware but, how exactly do i secure my wireless network?.

latley my internet has been acting very slow, and i found this on my homepage (what bellsouth gives me to log in.

Who the hell is Kerri?

i think one of my neighbors is leeching of me and causing my DSL to slow down.

could anybody please point me in the right direction,on teaching me how to password protect? my internet connection.

i use This router

I have my computer hooked up throgh ethernet
My wifes through a belkin wireless g usb adapter
my laptop wirelessly (onboard)
and my xbox 360 through ethernet

thanks for the help

 

[John]

RTFM, seriously.

http://www.belkin.com/support/...=1740&fn=F5D7231-4.pdf

1) page 24 - log into the router 192.168.2.1
2) page 44 - click channel and ssid, change channel to something other than 11 or 6, then change ssid to No Leeching! - apply
3) page 56 - under Wireless click on encryption/security and enable wireless security mode (preferably WPA-PSK AES if your adapters can handle it) - set a psk such as WiFi@myCasaOU812
4) now you will need to disconnect all wireless clients and reconnect using the psk

 

[Heller]

set a psk such as WiFi@myCasaOU812

what does this mean?

also 192.168.2.1 does not work for me, it gives me This

Not sure if this is relevent, but i did have to open my DMZ to allow me to host matches on Xbox live.

 

[ScottFern]

Um, you opened your DMZ? For which ports? Thats not good at all! Those DMZ devices have no protection at all!

 

[Heller]

Originally posted by: ScottFern
Um, you opened your DMZ? For which ports? Thats not good at all! Those DMZ devices have no protection at all!

I just hit the open DMZ button a while back....

why do i feel like an idiot :|

 

[Ryland]

What you do need to do is to add at least some basic encryption (preferably at least 128bit to keep the honest people out). Setup a key on your router via what the routers manual says to do and then set the same key on all wireless devices. Once you have the wireless devices working disable the broadcast of the routers name (SSID I think).

 

[Heller]

If i disable the broadcast, if i loose connection, how will i be able to reconnect if it cant find it?

(sorry if its a total idiotic question BTW)

 

[Oakenfold]

Originally posted by: Heller
If i disable the broadcast, if i loose connection, how will i be able to reconnect if it cant find it?

(sorry if its a total idiotic question BTW)

Depending on how you manage the connection you should already have the SSID info saved in your Wireless NIC settings, the place where you input your PSK on the client machine.

Disabling the SSID may prevent kiddies from finding your WI-FI network but it may not stop someone with more experience. Concentrate on securing your router through strong encryption, strong passwords, reviewing any ports you have open, settings like the DMZ you've mentioned and making sure you've changed your default user name and password (also use strong password here).

I suggest you read our local resident network guru JackMDS's website Ezlan
This will get you going in the right direction.

Originally posted by: John
RTFM, seriously.

http://www.belkin.com/support/...=1740&fn=F5D7231-4.pdf

1) page 24 - log into the router 192.168.2.1
2) page 44 - click channel and ssid, change channel to something other than 11 or 6, then change ssid to No Leeching! - apply
3) page 56 - under Wireless click on encryption/security and enable wireless security mode (preferably WPA-PSK AES if your adapters can handle it) - set a psk such as WiFi@myCasaOU812
4) now you will need to disconnect all wireless clients and reconnect using the psk

John has pretty much given you step by step info on how to do this.
When you get the connection refused message after typing in the router IP you are directly connected to the router right? If not try it. If you are try a hard reset on the router.
When John says PSK (he means pre-shared key). This is the password you will input for your router and NIC, WiFi@myCasaOU812 (this is an example of a strong password).

 

[Heller]

thanks for the clarification Oaken.

all give it a shot.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

You know, if you want to freak her out, you could redirect her to some random site. Preferably a site with porn/Viruses on it. Just to tell her to not **** with you...I've done this. I'm a cruel person, aren't I?