Question about DSL and multiple computers

[CatDad]

You got it working.

I sent you a PM about the SSID on the router. Once you get used to it, there are a few other things you will want to consider.

However for now, go and have fun.

[micki76]

Originally posted by CatDad
You got it working.

I sent you a PM about the SSID on the router. Once you get used to it, there are a few other things you will want to consider.

However for now, go and have fun.

Yep, I did it! Thank you! I did get your PM, and I did rename it.

What other things are there to consider? Hmm...

[popcornbird]

Micki.........I sent you a PM. Another thing you need to take care of. Securing the network so others can't access it.

[CatDad]

Originally posted by popcornbird
Micki.........I sent you a PM. Another thing you need to take care of. Securing the network so others can't access it.

That is it. You need to look at making sure that the wireless access is secure.

[micki76]

Originally posted by CatDad
That is it. You need to look at making sure that the wireless access is secure.

Any idea how to do that guys? I think maybe it was in the router settings, but I'm not sure.

[popcornbird]

All I know is that you set the security settings from your computer. I'm not sure exactly *how* to do it. When I last asked my brother how he does it, he responded with a *I have my ways........... *

He likes to tease me.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Yipee!!! I knew you could do it!

The one thing I didn't do when we installed ours was secure it. That's where the WEP comes in and I didn't understand that part of it at all, so I just told it to connect without that. This means that anyone coming within range of my wireless network will be able to access it. I don't think they can actually access my computer because I don't have that shared, but they can access the wireless network. The one having it disabled is good for is that if I have someone come over with their own laptop, they don't have to know any sort of access code to get online - in otherwords, it makes it easier for others to gain access. A good thing for friends and a not so good thing for bad people.

Bryan, if you know how to set the WEP, please let me know also.

Go to this website and scroll down until you see "Shields Up!" and click on that. This is a test to see how secure you are from others accessing your computer through the internet. Usually the router will have a firewall already installed in it, so you shouldn't need to activate a firewall on either your laptop or desktop.

You might want to read everything once you click on Shields Up! but some of it gets kind of technical. Don't worry if you don't understand it, just click on "Proceed" then click on the various headings - file sharing, ports, etc. Once it does the tests, it will explain the results and tell you if you have any vulnerabilities. You shouldn't have any because most router firewalls are pretty good these days.

I'm glad you took the chance and did it yourself and more importantly I'm glad you got it to work all by yourself! I knew you could. Let me know if you have any more questions, and hopefully Bryan will fill us in on the WEP thing.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Debbie....I got rid of the Apple. It made me crazy.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by Edwina's Secretary
Debbie....I got rid of the Apple. It made me crazy.

Oh goody, that makes it sooo much easier.

The one bad thing about these classes I'm taking is the focus only on Microsoft based products. They make vague references now an then to other operating systems like Unix, Linus and Apple, but they really don't give you any information about them.

And actually, if you have all Windows now, you could do it yourself too - just like Micki!

[micki76]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
And actually, if you have all Windows now, you could do it yourself too - just like Micki!

Yep. I was amazed at how easy it really was. And I'd like to think I'm not a moron, but I'm not a computer expert at all (except in my home, hubby's not even allowed on my laptop, he's NOT savvy at all ).

You could do it yourself, I'm sure. Of course, I couldn't have done it without all the great help from Debbie & Bryan!

[CatDad]

Hi all,

Just wanted to say a little on WEP. Don't let the acronyms scare you. All WEP does is scamble the signal between the card and the router. So, like Debbie said, no one can pick it up from the street and read it.

The problem comes in when setting it up. All routers are not created with the same setup, and I can't really give you any help off the top of my head. I would need the make model of your router, and I could read up on it the help if you would like. I believe that it has to be setup on the router and enabled on the card. Beyond that I would need specifics on the hardware.

I can be even more vague about that if you would like.

Debbie I saw earlier in the thread where you talked about hooking up a mac(apple) and a PC to the same hub. I know that Sara said that she got rid of hers, but I though that I would answer your question. The computer type does not really matter when hooking them into a router or hub to connect to the net. What matters is the protocal that they are speaking. As long as it it IP then all is well. Getting the different computer types to share resources is another matter, but can be done. It just takes a little more setup.

Let me know if you would like help with the WEP setup.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by CatDad
Let me know if you would like help with the WEP setup.

I would like help.








Well.....you said we should let you know if we want help.

We've got the Linksys Wireless G router and cards (not A & G). The thing that was really confusing is the security code - WEP - has to be some 16 bit something or other. I tried just typing numbers in and it didn't work. For us it's really not a big deal to have it secure because not too many people are out on the street by us, but for those who live in apartments and such I can see where it would be more crucial. So, if this isn't too much of a problem, any help you can give would be appreciated, but don't put yourself out too much for it. I could always just call Linksys or check out their website......

[micki76]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
I would like help.








Well.....you said we should let you know if we want help.

We've got the Linksys Wireless G router and cards (not A & G). The thing that was really confusing is the security code - WEP - has to be some 16 bit something or other. I tried just typing numbers in and it didn't work. For us it's really not a big deal to have it secure because not too many people are out on the street by us, but for those who live in apartments and such I can see where it would be more crucial. So, if this isn't too much of a problem, any help you can give would be appreciated, but don't put yourself out too much for it. I could always just call Linksys or check out their website......

I have the same equipment. I'm not too worrie either. I live in a vey small subdivision on the outskirts of a very small town, but it would still be a good thing to do.

[popcornbird]

We were worried with our's because when we first got wireless, we discovered that several of our neighbors have wireless as well and we could access their accounts. Not that we did..........its just that our computer asked us which servers to connect to, and it gave a whole list that WASN'T our's. We figured our neighbors could do the same thing, so we secured our's immediately.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by popcornbird
Not that we did..........its just that our computer asked us which servers to connect to, and it gave a whole list that WASN'T our's. We figured our neighbors could do the same thing, so we secured our's immediately.

I wish some of our neighbors would have had it so we wouldn't have had to dish out all the money to get it.

Just kidding of course.