9 replies
by sspara Accepted solution
by nepenthe0 Accepted solution
The Security professionals will surely scoff at the following suggestion, but it works for me, and I do not have 'intruders' on my wireless network.
1) disable WEP
2) determine MAC numbers for all the computer network cards on your wireless system
3) open Linksys router setup, click Wireless > Wireless MAC Filter
4) place a 'dot' in the radio button "Permit PCs listed below to access the wireless network"
5) manually enter the MAC numbers of authorized computers (use the Linksys wireless adapter MAC number)
6) periodically check for intruders: Wireless > Status > Local Network > DHCP Client Table. If you see a MAC number there that you never authorized, you have an intruder.
By disabling encryption, access and transfer speeds are significantly enhanced. If you can safely disable encryption, do so.
Rick/Portland, OR
by sspara Accepted solution
by robo_dev Accepted solution
Any script kiddie could get on that network and in less than a minute, own all your computers.
Even worse, that intruder is going to deposit YOUR IP address onto the logs of some website monitored by Dateline NBC or one of those three-letter-agencies.
WEP is not perfect, but it's better than nothing. On most APs, encryption gives a speed penalty of 10% or less.
Mac address security is false security. It's like hiding the key under the mat, but putting it in the middle.
by robo_dev Accepted solution
On the WT54G you need to enter a WEP KEY, and a matching WEP key on the client.
If you enter a WEP 'password' or 'passphrase' that generates a pseudo-random WEP key, which is NOT what you want.
There are typically four slots for WEP keys, Key 1,2,3,4. You must enter a 26 character wep key for key #1 on the router and a matching 26 character wep key for key #1 on the client.
A tip for wep keys that you can remember is to combine two phone numbers you know until you run out of digits. So....
one number+ second one + first one again
2165551212 2167341212 216555
(without the spaces, that's your 26 character, 128bit wep key)
21655512122167341212216555
The content of the wep key matters not, from a cryptographic standpoint,
by sspara Accepted solution
by robo_dev Accepted solution
Many WLAN clients don't know about WEP passphases...for example the native Windows XP WLAN drivers only allow you to enter the key.
Be careful that you're not entering the WPA password on the client. WPA password is not at all the same as a WEP passphrase.
WEP passphrases tend to be very vendor specific (brand A passphrase won't work with brand B passphrase)
Or if you were using workstations with Cisco or d-link wlan adapters connecting to a netgear router, cisco or d-link do not know about netgear passphrases, in my experience.
If the WLAN clients and the AP are the same manufacturer, then the passphase thing may work, otherwise all bets are off.
The 'guaranteed to work' setup is to enter a wep key.
Windows does give you the option of storing that info on a USB drive so you can distribute it to each client without typing that horrible 26 character key.
http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/webmaster/article.php/3678561
There are a couple of variables to making the wlan clients work....you can use the Windows built-in 'WLAN zero configuration' system, or you can use the WLAN utility/client that ships with the Client WLAN adapter.
Further, there are ALWAYS issues with various versions of those WLAN client drivers.
by sspara Accepted solution
by robo_dev Accepted solution
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