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wireless broadband
13 Answers
I've got wireless broadband at home and the router I have reaches 200-300M. What's stopping my neighbours using my wireless too if they have a Wifi enabled laptop?
can they do that? And if so is there any measures I can take to stop that happening?
All help is much appreciated, thanks
can they do that? And if so is there any measures I can take to stop that happening?
All help is much appreciated, thanks
Answers
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Nothing's stopping them if you leave the signal unencrypted.
If you go into your router settings (typically you type in 192.168.2.1 or similar in your web browser), there'll be a wireless security section. There you should be able to set a WEP or WPA password. This will encrypt your wireless signal, requiring a password from each computer that wants to access the internet. Of course, you know the password to enter it once on your computers. But your neighbours don't, and so you're safe.
If you go into your router settings (typically you type in 192.168.2.1 or similar in your web browser), there'll be a wireless security section. There you should be able to set a WEP or WPA password. This will encrypt your wireless signal, requiring a password from each computer that wants to access the internet. Of course, you know the password to enter it once on your computers. But your neighbours don't, and so you're safe.
The best way to solve this problem would be to hide your SSID (Your wireless networks name). This stops anyone who has a wireless enabled device i.e a laptop, pc, games console, e.t.c to see your wireless connection.
In order to do this you must first connect to your router by typing either the default gate (Start>Run>type in CMD) and a black prompt box will appear (if running xp, if not type in command) the in the prompt box were the cursor flashes type "ipconfig" this should give you the following IP address, subnet mask and finally your "default Gateway"
Type the numbers on your web browser (Internet explorer, Firefox, Opera, Netscape, Safari e.t.c
Once you get access of the routers homepage you should see a wireless option, click it and you should be able to see an option "Hide SSID". You may be prompted for a "User name and Password" by default this should be admin/admin of admin/password e.t.c unless you have changed it.
Once you do so, nobody will know you have a wireless connection.
In order to do this you must first connect to your router by typing either the default gate (Start>Run>type in CMD) and a black prompt box will appear (if running xp, if not type in command) the in the prompt box were the cursor flashes type "ipconfig" this should give you the following IP address, subnet mask and finally your "default Gateway"
Type the numbers on your web browser (Internet explorer, Firefox, Opera, Netscape, Safari e.t.c
Once you get access of the routers homepage you should see a wireless option, click it and you should be able to see an option "Hide SSID". You may be prompted for a "User name and Password" by default this should be admin/admin of admin/password e.t.c unless you have changed it.
Once you do so, nobody will know you have a wireless connection.
What a joy it is to hear someone 'wanting' to secure their wireless network !!
I recently went wireless at home and there were no less than 4 networks I was able to connect to and surf the Internet quite happily.
Firstly read the documentation manual that came with the router. If you are unsure of any terms or concepts use google/wikipedia or post back here.
Basically what lost_soul has said is the first step.
Then as fo3nix says, set up some security to encrypt the signals between the wireless devices.
It isn't difficult. Use the analogy of when you enter your PIN number at a cashpoint - you wouldn't want it broadcast down the street for everyone to hear. Therefore, you should apply some security to your wireless network.
Use WPA instead of WEP if your system supports it.
Let us know how you get on.
I recently went wireless at home and there were no less than 4 networks I was able to connect to and surf the Internet quite happily.
Firstly read the documentation manual that came with the router. If you are unsure of any terms or concepts use google/wikipedia or post back here.
Basically what lost_soul has said is the first step.
Then as fo3nix says, set up some security to encrypt the signals between the wireless devices.
It isn't difficult. Use the analogy of when you enter your PIN number at a cashpoint - you wouldn't want it broadcast down the street for everyone to hear. Therefore, you should apply some security to your wireless network.
Use WPA instead of WEP if your system supports it.
Let us know how you get on.
What sort of router do you have? Belkin? Linksys?
You have been given excellent advice.
As you get used to the set up page you will see there are lots of options.
I have the MAC filters set so only 2 computers - my own - can connect to the router, as well as passwords and encryption.
The SSID broadcast disablement is an excellent suggestion too.
If you ever make a mistake and lock yourself out (I've done it) it is easy to rectify. Just connect to your router by hardwire and reset the router.
You have been given excellent advice.
As you get used to the set up page you will see there are lots of options.
I have the MAC filters set so only 2 computers - my own - can connect to the router, as well as passwords and encryption.
The SSID broadcast disablement is an excellent suggestion too.
If you ever make a mistake and lock yourself out (I've done it) it is easy to rectify. Just connect to your router by hardwire and reset the router.
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