Wireless Network Security

[savak]

I have an Asus wireless ADSL modem. to which I have one wired and two wireless computers.

My question is how do I set up for wireless security, my IP addresses are set up by DHCP.

Please tell me if you need more info.

Thanks

[Scarecrow Man]

You will find the Network Fundamentals 1, 2 and 3, as well as the Wireless Networking Fundamentals in the Networking Forum. After reading these, you should be an expert :)

Networking Forum

Wireless Networking Fundamentals

[savak]

I followed the links for Part 1 2 & 3 but they take be round in circles without actually getting to the topic.

Any suggestions?

[Scarecrow Man]

From my original post: http://forums.windowsforum.org/index.php?showtopic=16821

Encrypting wireless networks using WEP and Windows XP

Required components:

- Windows XP (Pro or Home)

- Wireless Network Interface Card (NIC)

- Wireless Router, Hub, or some other type of Wireless Access Point

Wireless NICs (commonly also referred to as "wireless cards") come in varying styles. The most often used are PCMCIA (usually used in laptops), USB and PCI. The installation is out of the scope of this article, so we won't cover that right now.

As far as configuring a wireless network goes, it is very simple and straight-forward. As for first configuring your wireless router/hub/etc for internet access, you'll want to consult "Networking Fundamentals, Part 1, 2, & 3" which can be found here:

- Part 1: http://www.windowsforum.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=13745

- Part 2: http://www.windowsforum.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=13725

- Part 3: http://www.windowsforum.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=15591

Now for the easy part - actually configuring your WEP secured wireless network.

Access your router configureation and there will be a wireless configuration area. On most, wireless is enabled by default, but in case it isn't, go to the wireless configuration and assure that "Wireless" (may be different on yours) is set to "Enabled". There should also be an option to set the "SSID". This is a unique identifier for your wireless network, so set it to something you'll remember. Now, look for "Wireless Security". You'll want to set this to "WEP", and a new menu should now be available. There will likely be a box that reads "Key Select" (again, may be different) that you'll want to set to "Key 1". There should also be several text boxes with drop-down menus beside/around them. In the first, enter a unique combination of characters, and specify the encryption bitrate following the chart below (again, this may vary depending on your router, but these are usually the defaults. Read your router docs for more information):

- 5 numbers = 64-bit

- 13 numbers = 128 bit

- 29 numbers = 256 bit

Now write down this number or remember it. This is essentially a "password" for accessing your network. Now, apply/save these settings and close the window.

Now, on your computer (I assume Windows XP right now) go to Start->Control Panel (you may need to go to Settings->Control Panel depending on your setup). Click on "Network and Internet Connections" (if you don't see it, skip this step), and now go to "Network Connections".

Right-click on "Wireless Connection" (if you don't see it, please post in our Hardware Troubles forum to resolve this problem first) and select "View available wireless networks". When the list finishes populating, you should see a network with your particular SSID. Click the network, and there should be a prompt avaiable to input your WEP Key - this is the number we just wrote down. Enter it in this box, and click "Connect".

You're done!