New Apartment & Wireless Security

[StevieC]

Ok so as per my other thread I'm moving to a new apartment and it's in a very populated area of Hamilton Mountain with lots of buildings housing and commercial shopping within walking distance.

This has me concerned for my wireless network... So what-say-you?

I'm running an Asus router with DD-WRT and I use WEP encryption because of some of the devices I use not supporting WPA. I change the key regularly.

I also have a complicated password for my router that is cryptic.

What else should I do to tighten up the security?

 

[JHZR2]

Use wires instead? j/k.

Can you update the WPA devices to WPA2? Can you easily schedule the wireless to be on/off? I suppose if you can schedule the wireless to be off, there is less time opportunity to let folks find you and mess around. Length of the codes/keys is always a good thing - each individual letter adds an additional 26-36 tries to get in, times the number of total characters. The longer you go, the tougher it is to crack because of shear number of options.

That said, preventing crime is all about time to get something happen. If the person one floor below wants to get in and knows how to hack your system, chances are they will...

 

[TWG1572]

I'm not a cyber expert, but on top of all the encryption I also set my router up to only accept MAC addresses for my stuff (Wii, printer, laptops, etc). That and I don't broadcast the SSID.

I've heard this also helps, but it's like anything else. If someone really wants to get in, they are probably getting in.

 

[daman]

If your router has power out put option turn it down low,mine does and i have it set so low my computer in the other room can barley pick it up,that way no chance of somebody even across the street hacking your sig.

 

[StevieC]

Good suggestions... I have done them all. I can't update to WPA because I have a wireless bridge with another router in the apartment that won't support bridging over anything but WEP according to DD-WRT.

Unless someone knows how to fix that.

 

[daman]

Sounds like your good to go then,wish you could use more then WEP tho.

but there's no one going to pick up your sig if TX is turned down.

 

[StevieC]

Yeah I have it turned down and have the router in the center of the apartment now and will in the next one. I'm surrounded by concrete walls so that should help as well.

I can't get the signal in the hallway and just barely (1 bar) on my balcony.

I checked with my I-Phone which seems to pick up any signal no matter how weak and it' can't see it outside an I'm on the second floor (moving to a second floor)

 

[daman]

Thats what i did i used the kids ipod to check sig and barley out the door and signal is lost so some one would have to be right on my back door and hack my security to get mine,so i feel pretty safe.

 

[StevieC]

Yeah I think I'm good... I could always cover my walls in tin-foil or brass mesh and hide under the bed.

 

[daman]

lol...

 

[OVERKILL]

What's the reason for the bridge if you don't mind me asking?

 

[PandaBear]

I can crack WEP in 15 minutes, regardless of password length. If you are looking for security, and have to use WEP, turn the transmission power as low as possible so the signal doesn't travel out far, and add MAC address filter to have it recognize only your devices.

Maybe setup 2 router with 1 dedicated for WEP and only turn it on as needed?

 

[Colt45ws]

Even power does not help much. Just make one of those dish antennas and beam it.
I agree with the two router, but setup the WEP side to be hardcore locked down and separated from the other one.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
What's the reason for the bridge if you don't mind me asking?
Couldn't run a wire to that room without going around the corner and into the room because I'm not allowed to drill holes in the concrete wall between the rooms as per my lease.

It would look stupid and I wouldn't be able to close the door to that room in that case so I used a wireless bridge so I could get my internet connection into that room for the wired devices in it that aren't wireless capable.

 

[StevieC]

I might just move things around in the new place and run WPA. I dunno... Have to think about it.

 

[OVERKILL]

ASUS makes a cute little device that actually can function as a wireless CLIENT. Dishing out IP's to the device that is connected to it. In this case, you could use it to connect to a switch... and then feed the devices. And this would allow you to use WPA, which is pretty much a necessity if you want any sort of real security.

The device is the WL-330gE.

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=9H8EmdWucHDpYOb8&templete=2

 

[StevieC]

What bothers me is the Motorola Router that I have wirelessly bridged to my ASUS both running DD-WRT doesn't support WPA.

Not sure why...

Thanks I will check into it. Would love to add more Asus gear to my collection!

 

[OVERKILL]

No problem. I have one feeding an Ethernet-enabled printer in a small office that they didn't want to add any more wiring to. Works incredibly well, and has been running for about three years straight now

 

[StevieC]

Yeah you can't kill Asus stuff as you taught me. Defective power supplies maybe but not the unit itself.

Since I replaced the P/S it has worked flawlessly.

I thank you every day for that!

 

[OVERKILL]

No problem bud, no problem at all