Wireless LAN Security 1

[tinkertech]

I have a wireless LAN at home. My main PC with cable modem and wireless router access point upstairs and my laptop downstairs with a wireless PC card. I can check email and access the web from both points. I would like some help in securing/encripting my LAN. Can someone suggest a site that can give me step by step instructions on doing just that? Also be able to share files and print from my laptop on to the printer upstairs. ???

If at first you don't succeed, reboot!

 

[edi4me]

It would help if you give the model of the router and/or AP. Below is a general instruction.

1) Newer routers, you can Disable SSID name broadcast. Note: do not disable the radio broadcast by mistake. They are different.

2) Enable encryption WEP or WAP. WEP requires a HEX key that you make up with A-F and 0-9 such as "A0" or "E1", etc. WAP requires a passphrase.

3) On your wireless device, you will have to manually enter the SSID since you disbled the broadcast. Then you will have to match the encryption exactly as you did in step 2.

The above is the minimum I suggest for security. For added security do the below.

a) Change you LAN IP to a class A such as 10.0.0.1 IP. This is because 192.168.1.1 is class C and is used by most manufacturers as a default setting. If you don't, you might get an IP conflict or collision with another nearby network.

b) Narrow the DHCP release range from x.x.x.2 - x.x.x.50 (this differs depending on mfg.) to x.x.x.2 to x.x.x.10 . This example will only allow a maximum release of 9 IP addresses.

c) or you can use static IP rather than DHCP. I suggest this if you have 5 or less devices.

d) You can also only allow certain MACs to connect. This process is different per mfg, so look somewhere in the "Wireless" section. This informatio should be in your manual