Question about DSL and multiple computers

[CatDad]

For PCB it does sound like it was essential to get your network locked down, that is actually pretty scary. I am constantly amamzed by the number of people who leave security settings at default.

Debbie and Micki we should lock down yours, but it is not as major an issue. I will need to look it up and make sure what I am telling you. I would do it today, but I have spent way too much time on PT today and really need to get something done at work.

Anyway, when I get home I will do a little research and we can take it from there. I can't tell you any real time because it alll depends on what time the unchain me from the desk. So you may or may not hear from me tonight.

Debbie, don't worry about asking me, I enjoy it looking at this stuff. Yes you could just call, but were would be the fun in that.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks so much Bryan. No hurry since we've been unsecure for at least 6 months already.

[popcornbird]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
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.

LOL!!!

Bryan, we were amazed at how many people in our neighborhood had their networks insecure. Not a wise idea when much of the neighborhood is wireless. ANYONE can access your account. I know we had at least 10 networks on the list that our computer was asking to connect to, that did not belong to us. Obviously belonged to neighbors who weren't smart enough to secure their networks. We secured our's before we even started using the network.

[CatDad]

OK, I have an answer for you. If the manuals are to be believed it looks pretty, easy.

Now, there are two ways to do this on the router side. One is if you have both a linksys router and network cards and one if you only have the linksys router.

Debbie I am not sure what you have, but micki unless you have a linksys adapter in the laptop I think you are going to have to do this the longer of the 2 ways.

OK. we will start with the router. I am giong to be shamless and copy some of the instruction directly from the manuals.

1. On the Setup tab of the Router’s web-based utility, click the Enable radio button next to WEP. Then click the Edit WEP Settings button.

2. This should bring you to a screen that will allow you to configure the encryption.

3. First pick your encryption level. 64 or 128 bit. obviouly the high number is a stronger encryption. However, if you have to manually enter keys(explain this in a minute) the 64bit only requires 10 digits and the 128bit requires 26. So it is up to you.

4. Here is where the you get to take the easy or slightly less easy. This next entry is pass phrase. You can use this if you have a linksys card. Just enter a pass phrase and you are done with the router and can move to the card. Note - Case counts, so I would suggest all upper or lower case for the passphrase.
If on the other hand you do not have a linksys card you get to type in 4 keys in the next 4 slots.

Keys are hexadecimal characters, that is a base 16 number system (I will stop that explination here, if you want to know more I can go into great detail). What you need to know is that valid hexadecimal numbers are 0 - 9 and then A - F. So a valid 64bit key could be:
2A4D3B9DEC
If you chose 128bit you will need 26 characters like that.

Got all of that, good. You are now done with the router.
Warning - I could not find this in the manual. So I do not know that if you can still connect none secure once you have enabled WEP. It would only make sense that you should be able to, but be forewarned this may be a possible hazard.

OK, Now that you have all of that onto the card.

Now you first need to get the settings page up for the card.

Ok, I just found one gotcha. If you used something called Wireless Zero Configuration the documentation has a note for you

Note: Wireless Zero Configuration does not support the use of a
passphrase. Enter the exact WEP key used by your access point.

If you are running XP the easiest way to get to the card configuration is to:
1. Right click on the 'My Network Places' icon.
2. Click on properties.
3. Right hand click on the wireless connection.
4. Then click on configure for your card.

You may also have software from linksys that will allow you to access the card configuration in some other way. The manual say to double click the network icon in the systray next to the time. I think that there way is easier.

One the configuration screen that comes up you should have two fields that allow you to enter either a pass pharse or the digital key.

That should be it.

Now, this is all according to the linksys manual so I hope that it is all correct.

Please let me know if you have any questions on what I wrote. Sometimes I can skip explaning concepts that I already know that not everyone else does. I will be around for a little while longer tonight. I will probably not be back until tomorrow evening. Please feel free to post here or PM me.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks Bryan! My only question is on the hexadecimal stuff, which is where I got hung up before. Can we use any combination of numbers 0-9 and letters A-F, or do they have to be in some sort of sick order?

I'm at work now and my wireless is at home, so I'll have to wait until I get home tonight to play around with it.

[CatDad]

The number that you use does not have to be in any specific order, there are no rules on that. In fact you could use just all numbers like, 5864183964. That would be a valid string for the 64bit encryption. The only thing that you cannot do is use all zeros. That is not allowed, and really would not be very safe.

The only thing that the router cares about is that it has a key that it can build the encrytoion from.

If you would like I can go into a much deeper explination on this, but most peoples eyes would just glaze over. In fact I can already feel a few people going.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by CatDad
If you would like I can go into a much deeper explination on this, but most peoples eyes would just glaze over. In fact I can already feel a few people going.

Thanks Bryan, but mine already glassed over during the little bit of description you mentioned previously. Not a good thing since I'm assuming I'm going to have to learn this some day, along with all the binary stuff.

Thanks so much. I'm still not home yet so still haven't had a chance to play around with it yet.

[CountryWolf07]

Micki - I have a laptop, and it has wireless internet - it is GREAT! We have a computer downstairs that has the router, and I can bring my laptop anywhere in the house! Hehe.