Recommended Wireless Home Network Security App?

Celtic86 · 11-27-2009, 07:04 AM

Hello,
I just bought a new Cisco Linksys WRT400D router but I'm now looking for a good net management app, and based on user reviews (not the magazine reviews), I can find anything better than 3 out of 5 stars. Cisco's Network Magic has a free trial version that came with the router but the reviews for it were the worst out of all the packages. All I want to do is keep casual 'wireless hitchhikers' off my network, keep snoopers from easily hacking into my network, monitor who's on the network (or has tried to get on), and manage connections from my laptop. I don't care about how fast my network is going or any 'fun to see but useless in reality' bells and whistles. Oh, and if possible I'd like to hide my network's name from popping up alongside all the other neighborhood 'available wireless networks' that show.

I've got 3 computers, all running XP. The desktop is direct-connected to the router, and the other 2 laptops are wireless.

**johnwill** · 11-27-2009, 10:47 AM

Well, stuff like Network Magic has nothing to do with wireless security.

The top security measure is configure the highest level of encryption available on your router, WPA2-AES being top dog.

Any other security measures are mostly meaningless, since they're very easy to bypass.

A good read: The Six Dumbest Ways to Secure A Wireless LAN

11-27-2009, 07:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
Celtic86 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Recommended Wireless Home Network Security App? Hello, I just bought a new Cisco Linksys WRT400D router but I'm now looking for a good net management app, and based on user reviews (not the magazine reviews), I can find anything better than 3 out of 5 stars. Cisco's Network Magic has a free trial version that came with the router but the reviews for it were the worst out of all the packages. All I want to do is keep casual 'wireless hitchhikers' off my network, keep snoopers from easily hacking into my network, monitor who's on the network (or has tried to get on), and manage connections from my laptop. I don't care about how fast my network is going or any 'fun to see but useless in reality' bells and whistles. Oh, and if possible I'd like to hide my network's name from popping up alongside all the other neighborhood 'available wireless networks' that show. I've got 3 computers, all running XP. The desktop is direct-connected to the router, and the other 2 laptops are wireless.

11-27-2009, 10:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 44,389 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux	Re: Recommended Wireless Home Network Security App? Well, stuff like Network Magic has nothing to do with wireless security. The top security measure is configure the highest level of encryption available on your router, WPA2-AES being top dog. Any other security measures are mostly meaningless, since they're very easy to bypass. A good read: The Six Dumbest Ways to Secure A Wireless LAN __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience