Encryption for a wireless router

cadge · 10-26-2006, 02:09 PM

Hi, I'll soon be installing a new wireless router so that I can use NTL Broadband on several computers in my house. What worries me is not setting the router up and so on, but security. This concerns me for two reasons; 1) I live in a flat and so there is quite a good chance others could tap into my connection for free broadband, and 2) the more important reasons, a mate of mine told me that someone could hack into my computer through a wireless network. He told me there are three different types of encrpytion (I've forgotten the names of them all

) that would keep out most hackers (I'm not exactly going to attract many masterminds). I was wondering if someone could tell me what these types of encrpytion are, how I could use them, and if there are any further steps to take.

My modem is an Actiontec and although it doesn't appear to have a model number, there is one on the actiontec site that looks a lot like it, theuy are both black and have a speed of 54mbps.

One final thing, on the faq secion of the Actiontec website ( http://www.actiontec.com/support/bro...swru_faqs.html ) it tells me that the router has a NAT firewall and so I don't need something like ZoneAlarm. I have been told to always have a firewall and this advice confuses me. I know plenty of people who use wireless networks and still run firewalls like ZoneAlarm.

Any advice on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

newhouse1390 · 10-27-2006, 07:26 AM

I would recommend running a local antivirus and firewall suite, with that and safe browsing habits should be enough to secure you local machine. As far as the network goes you are going to want to configure the wireless section of your router to use WPA-PSK encryption. This is almost unbeatable.

The problem that I see is not with someone gaining access to your machine via an unsecured network (although it is possible) but it would be someone monitoring network traffic with a sniffer. They can pick up where you are going and see your passwords.

Make sure you configure WPA-PSK.

cadge · 10-27-2006, 08:05 AM

Thank you very much for the advice, I've just been reading the Actiontec manual to find out how to do what you recommended.

**johnwill** · 10-27-2006, 08:52 AM

FWIW, I've run without software firewalls for years behind a variety of routers. A software router adds additional protection, but depending on your surfing habits, you may not need that protection.

cadge · 10-27-2006, 10:00 AM

While I myself tend to avoid suspicious websites, other users of my computers might not be as savvy, so I think I'll stick with a software firewall, just to be safe.

newhouse1390 · 10-27-2006, 01:14 PM

This program is good at detecting some spyware web sources, as well ad many pornographic web sites (which often contain spyware). This may prevent accidental exposure.

www.k9webprotection.com

**Cellus** · 10-29-2006, 08:22 PM

Another free utility to keep you aware of potentially malicious websites would be McAfee SiteAdvisor. Sites are tested and rated based on what they attempt do to your browser and system, downloads available on the sites, and the degree of spam if you sign up for anything on them. For example you can see the "Web Safety Ratings" for TSF here. Ratings for sites are easily displayed by a coloured box in your web browser, as well as an icon displayed in search results when using search engines like Google.

10-26-2006, 02:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
cadge Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 151 OS: Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope)	Encryption for a wireless router Hi, I'll soon be installing a new wireless router so that I can use NTL Broadband on several computers in my house. What worries me is not setting the router up and so on, but security. This concerns me for two reasons; 1) I live in a flat and so there is quite a good chance others could tap into my connection for free broadband, and 2) the more important reasons, a mate of mine told me that someone could hack into my computer through a wireless network. He told me there are three different types of encrpytion (I've forgotten the names of them all ) that would keep out most hackers (I'm not exactly going to attract many masterminds). I was wondering if someone could tell me what these types of encrpytion are, how I could use them, and if there are any further steps to take. My modem is an Actiontec and although it doesn't appear to have a model number, there is one on the actiontec site that looks a lot like it, theuy are both black and have a speed of 54mbps. One final thing, on the faq secion of the Actiontec website ( http://www.actiontec.com/support/bro...swru_faqs.html ) it tells me that the router has a NAT firewall and so I don't need something like ZoneAlarm. I have been told to always have a firewall and this advice confuses me. I know plenty of people who use wireless networks and still run firewalls like ZoneAlarm. Any advice on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

10-27-2006, 07:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
newhouse1390 Member, Networking Team Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,040 OS: Windows Server 2003	I would recommend running a local antivirus and firewall suite, with that and safe browsing habits should be enough to secure you local machine. As far as the network goes you are going to want to configure the wireless section of your router to use WPA-PSK encryption. This is almost unbeatable. The problem that I see is not with someone gaining access to your machine via an unsecured network (although it is possible) but it would be someone monitoring network traffic with a sniffer. They can pick up where you are going and see your passwords. Make sure you configure WPA-PSK. __________________ Because you can read this thank a teacher, because it's English thank a soldier.

10-27-2006, 08:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,720 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	FWIW, I've run without software firewalls for years behind a variety of routers. A software router adds additional protection, but depending on your surfing habits, you may not need that protection. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-27-2006, 01:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
newhouse1390 Member, Networking Team Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,040 OS: Windows Server 2003	This program is good at detecting some spyware web sources, as well ad many pornographic web sites (which often contain spyware). This may prevent accidental exposure. www.k9webprotection.com __________________ Because you can read this thank a teacher, because it's English thank a soldier.

10-29-2006, 08:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,664 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Another free utility to keep you aware of potentially malicious websites would be McAfee SiteAdvisor. Sites are tested and rated based on what they attempt do to your browser and system, downloads available on the sites, and the degree of spam if you sign up for anything on them. For example you can see the "Web Safety Ratings" for TSF here. Ratings for sites are easily displayed by a coloured box in your web browser, as well as an icon displayed in search results when using search engines like Google. __________________ TSF Networking Team Virus/Trojan/Spyware Removal Help Donate!

10-27-2006, 08:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
cadge Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 151 OS: Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope)	Thank you very much for the advice, I've just been reading the Actiontec manual to find out how to do what you recommended.

10-27-2006, 10:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
cadge Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 151 OS: Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope)	While I myself tend to avoid suspicious websites, other users of my computers might not be as savvy, so I think I'll stick with a software firewall, just to be safe.