wireless router question

[BobsArmory]

So I just got a new laptop with all the bells and whistles and a Linksys E-2500 dual band N wireless router. I used the CD supplied with the router and set up a password protected network, have virus protection and a fire wall. Is ther anything else I need to do with a wireless network to assure security?

BTW that integrated webcam gives me the creeps. I put a post it note over it.

 

[OilNerd]

Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
BTW that integrated webcam gives me the creeps. I put a post it note over it.

NSA HQ, this is Agent OilNerd. We have another one that knows...

...No, he forgot about the integrated mic.

 

[zyxelenator]

Make sure encryption is on. Anyway is someone really wants you pass to router he will get it, it just matter of time. In some cases it's 15 min in other 3 days. Also you can enable mac filter.

 

[FL_Rob]

Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
So I just got a new laptop with all the bells and whistles and a Linksys E-2500 dual band N wireless router. I used the CD supplied with the router and set up a password protected network, have virus protection and a fire wall. Is ther anything else I need to do with a wireless network to assure security?

BTW that integrated webcam gives me the creeps. I put a post it note over it.

Maybe an external firewall, but I haven't felt the need to use one for a few years now ,I just keep my definitions and updates in check' plus I use electrical tape over the camera, it blends in better and is less distracting.

 

[dparm]

For home use you're fine as-is. Just practice safe browsing habits.

 

[sicko]

Your router should have a firewall, and sounds like you have a software firewall running on your computer too, this is the same set up I do at home. Along with a good antivirus, a good password on your computer and router, and making sure you're at least using WPA2 encryption, you should be good.

Also make sure you keep your OS and software updated, use common sense, and maybe run a malware (spyware) scanner if your antivirus does not check for them already.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
Make sure encryption is on. Anyway is someone really wants you pass to router he will get it, it just matter of time. In some cases it's 15 min in other 3 days. Also you can enable mac filter.


The mac filter is useless and WPA2, when used with a decent length (non-dictionary) passphrase takes a heck of a lot longer than 3 days to crack.

OP:

What you've done is fine.

 

[BobsArmory]

I'm all over that!


Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
Make sure encryption is on. Anyway is someone really wants you pass to router he will get it, it just matter of time. In some cases it's 15 min in other 3 days. Also you can enable mac filter.


The mac filter is useless and WPA2, when used with a decent length (non-dictionary) passphrase takes a heck of a lot longer than 3 days to crack.

OP:

What you've done is fine.

 

[greenaccord02]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
Make sure encryption is on. Anyway is someone really wants you pass to router he will get it, it just matter of time. In some cases it's 15 min in other 3 days. Also you can enable mac filter.


The mac filter is useless and WPA2, when used with a decent length (non-dictionary) passphrase takes a heck of a lot longer than 3 days to crack.

OP:

What you've done is fine.

+1

 

[orlzx6r]

Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
Make sure encryption is on. Anyway is someone really wants you pass to router he will get it, it just matter of time. In some cases it's 15 min in other 3 days. Also you can enable mac filter.


You're thinking of WEP encryption. WPA2 with AES encryption is secure (there are some theoretical attacts but nothing to worry about http://www.airtightnetworks.com/WPA2-Hole196). Be sure to use a long password with upper case, lower case, and numbers.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: orlzx6r
Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
Make sure encryption is on. Anyway is someone really wants you pass to router he will get it, it just matter of time. In some cases it's 15 min in other 3 days. Also you can enable mac filter.


You're thinking of WEP encryption. WPA2 with AES encryption is secure (there are some theoretical attacts but nothing to worry about http://www.airtightnetworks.com/WPA2-Hole196). Be sure to use a long password with upper case, lower case, and numbers.


Correct. The biggest threat to a WPA2/AES setup is a dictionary attack. And that being successful would be entirely the fault of the person who setup the router/AP.

 

[tmorris1]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: orlzx6r
Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
Make sure encryption is on. Anyway is someone really wants you pass to router he will get it, it just matter of time. In some cases it's 15 min in other 3 days. Also you can enable mac filter.


You're thinking of WEP encryption. WPA2 with AES encryption is secure (there are some theoretical attacts but nothing to worry about http://www.airtightnetworks.com/WPA2-Hole196). Be sure to use a long password with upper case, lower case, and numbers.


Correct. The biggest threat to a WPA2/AES setup is a dictionary attack. And that being successful would be entirely the fault of the person who setup the router/AP.

Plus, at my house the guy parked out front with the laptop would have a hard time running his dictionary hack with it smashed in the driveway.

 

[BobsArmory]

You all should see the password that I used. It is very long and I used upper and lower case along with numbers. I never go to web sites that would embarrass my family but I do worry about people watching what I do while looking at Ameritrade or my work email that I sometimes catch up on at home.

I sure will go over to that airtightnetworks web site and learn some more

 

[orlzx6r]

Originally Posted By: tmorris1
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: orlzx6r
Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
Make sure encryption is on. Anyway is someone really wants you pass to router he will get it, it just matter of time. In some cases it's 15 min in other 3 days. Also you can enable mac filter.


You're thinking of WEP encryption. WPA2 with AES encryption is secure (there are some theoretical attacts but nothing to worry about http://www.airtightnetworks.com/WPA2-Hole196). Be sure to use a long password with upper case, lower case, and numbers.


Correct. The biggest threat to a WPA2/AES setup is a dictionary attack. And that being successful would be entirely the fault of the person who setup the router/AP.

Plus, at my house the guy parked out front with the laptop would have a hard time running his dictionary hack with it smashed in the driveway.


Don't think they have to be sitting outside your house. You would be surprised at the range a directional antenna can achieve.

There have been many people using Pringles potato chip and soup cans to greatly increase the signal strength.

http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

 

[D.K.]

If you are that paranoid, why don't you just turn the webcam off?

If you are using Windows go to "Device Manager" and disable the webcam. No more tape. You can do the same thing with the microphone.

 

[tmorris1]

Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
You all should see the password that I used. It is very long and I used upper and lower case along with numbers. I never go to web sites that would embarrass my family but I do worry about people watching what I do while looking at Ameritrade or my work email that I sometimes catch up on at home.

I sure will go over to that airtightnetworks web site and learn some more

Even if they get into your router, the connection between your pc and Ameritrade is encrypted so they can't see anything you are doing.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: orlzx6r

Don't think they have to be sitting outside your house. You would be surprised at the range a directional antenna can achieve.

There have been many people using Pringles potato chip and soup cans to greatly increase the signal strength.

http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html


I know. My reply was meant to be a little tongue-in-cheek. Sarcasm is sometimes hard to get across in text.