Posted: 3/31/2005 7:15:18 AM EDT
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We opted for wireless internet (Roadrunner) via cable modem/router recently. Initially it was lightning fast. In recent weeks it appears that someone is robbing my bandwidth. I turned off my computer and still get activity (blinky lights) on the modem. Is this an indication of activity? Should I be looking at the modem or the router for activity? What lights will be active? Help I'm paying premium prices for dial up speed 
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You don't. Pull out the software & manual for your wireless router. You need to: - change the password - enable encryption - WAS, WEP, something - enable the MAC filtering - this will weed out any computers that aren't yours - turn off the SSID broadcast |
No. If you don't want someone playing in your yard then they shouldn't be playing in your yard. That is trespassing even if there is no fence or sign. BigDozer66 |
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Thanks BD66, It is a Linksys Router Loitering could occur within 500 feet of the antenna. Thats 2 blocks. How do I check the router logs? What is a MAC and how do I only authorize my computers MAC? Where do I find my MAC address? How do you enable WEP? and what is WEP? sorry folks but you are dealing with a computer cave man 
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How to find your MAC From a C (or Command) Prompt window thype in "ipconfig/all" and then hit enter There will be a 12-digit number / letter combo that will be the MAC address. The MAC address is like a serial number for network connection devices (i.e. wireless adapters, network cards, even the Sopy PSP and XBOX), and NO two MAC's are identical - they are unique to a specific device, unless someone willfully changes it somehow. |
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WEP is Wireless Encription Protocol. It's a 128 bit cripto string that you put into your router and PC's. That, in addition to MAC filtering, would mean that someone would have to break your crypto (not impossible) and have a correct MAC. It makes things alot more secure. Also go to the manufacturer's website and download the latest firmware for the router. It's probably pretty old at this point and could use the newest fixes. |
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Didn't we have a discussion about this recently??? WEP is a bitch to figure out, and can slow things down a bit, but it keeps people from getting on your stuff. I didn't enable WEP on my access point, but I did enable MAC address filtering. I have never noticed anyone else on my network. However, it's not my primary connection to the internet, so I leave the AP off most of the time. |
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Unless Linksys has changed...their manuals are pretty well written and covers most if not all of your questions. The first step is definitely CHANGE YOUR ROUTERS PASSWORD. Log into your router with a web browser and go to http://192.168.1.1 You will be presented with a username/password challenge. Check your manual for the default password...I don't want to post it here. Everything you need to do are on the Tabs of the webpage you will be presented with. If you don't change your password you will be just like my neighbors. Funny I never thought they would be into Hot Teen Girl websites. 
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If you are going to hand out info, at least hand out corect info. WEP stands for "Wired Equivalent Privacy" - not wireless encryption protocol. It sounds like you need to turn off "broadcast SSID" and hard code it in each of your client configurations. Doing so does not offer much security however as it does not prevent other people from hearing the SSID once a client starts talking to the AP. The biggest thing would be to enable WEP and MAC filtering. WEP will require you to configure a key on both the AP and each machine that uses it. The key must match on both or it will not work. I would suggest using the largest key size (40bit, 104 bit, 128bit) encryption possible. 128bit WEP is exponentially harder to crack than 40bit. However, you should be advised that no version of WEP is completely safe. Consider changing the keys periodically if you are concerned about your data or your bandwidth as WEP in all forms can be cracked with enough data to decipher the keys. Also to be considered is to turn off DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol) and statically assign each machine an IP. I am not sure who the roadrunner stuff works, but I would consider placing a firewall bewteen your AP and your ISP if possible. If you can, then you can only allow the static assigned IPs (the addresses of the machines that you own and configured) through the firewall. No one piece is enough to make Wireless completely secure. However, layering the security by using several different tools may make it hard enough that most people will just seek out easier targets such as neighbors down the street who are wide open. |
Wrong way to look at it. People shouldn't be taking what they know isn't theirs or going into peoples yards other than thiers. You're negating personal responsibility. |
NO someone is stealing. If someone comes in my yard fence or not it is trespassing. Just because you ain’t been caught that makes you no less a thief and criminal if you are taking what is not yours without permission. |
Look in the logs and look at the IP addressess listed. Then type the addressess in your browser. If the browser pulls something like gay cowboy bondage websites, then your wireless network has been compromised.  |