Wireless: If I enable encryption will my LAN still work?

[I. Myself]

I have a D-Link wireless router, and 3 computers in a LAN. It is not
encrypted. I see how I can go into the D-Link menus at 192.168.0.1 and
enable encryption, but I'm afraid to do it, because I think that the
other computers on the LAN will be denied access. If I keep the
neighbors from using it I'm also keeping the people in my house from
using it! How do I handle this problem?

Thanks,

Mitchell Timin

 

[Robert L [MS-MVP]]

Enabling encryption on the wireless is not thing to do with the network sharing. You should be OK.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
I have a D-Link wireless router, and 3 computers in a LAN. It is not
encrypted. I see how I can go into the D-Link menus at 192.168.0.1 and
enable encryption, but I'm afraid to do it, because I think that the
other computers on the LAN will be denied access. If I keep the
neighbors from using it I'm also keeping the people in my house from
using it! How do I handle this problem?

Thanks,

Mitchell Timin

 

[Chuck]

I have a D-Link wireless router, and 3 computers in a LAN. It is not
encrypted. I see how I can go into the D-Link menus at 192.168.0.1 and
enable encryption, but I'm afraid to do it, because I think that the
other computers on the LAN will be denied access. If I keep the
neighbors from using it I'm also keeping the people in my house from
using it! How do I handle this problem?

Thanks,

Mitchell Timin

Mitchell,

How are your computers connected to the LAN? If they are using Ethernet, then
they won't be negatively affected by your enabling WiFi security. Any computers
using Ethernet, on the other hand, are at risk as long as they are connected to
an unsecured WiFi LAN. And, as long as your router is unsecured, your Internet
service is at risk from your neighbors access, and their conduct when abusing
that access.

A properly setup WiFi LAN is essential to the security of all computers
connected to it, both by Ethernet and by WiFi. And a properly setup WiFi LAN
will not cause denial of access to those WiFi computers that you setup. Read my
articles, if you please.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/setting-up-wifi-lan-please-protect.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/setting-up-wifi-lan-please-protect.html
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/11/setting-up-wifi-lan.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/11/setting-up-wifi-lan.html

 

[I. Myself]

Mitchell,

How are your computers connected to the LAN? If they are using Ethernet, then
they won't be negatively affected by your enabling WiFi security. Any computers
using Ethernet, on the other hand, are at risk as long as they are connected to
an unsecured WiFi LAN. And, as long as your router is unsecured, your Internet
service is at risk from your neighbors access, and their conduct when abusing
that access.

A properly setup WiFi LAN is essential to the security of all computers
connected to it, both by Ethernet and by WiFi. And a properly setup WiFi LAN
will not cause denial of access to those WiFi computers that you setup. Read my
articles, if you please.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/setting-up-wifi-lan-please-protect.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/setting-up-wifi-lan-please-protect.html
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/11/setting-up-wifi-lan.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/11/setting-up-wifi-lan.html

My own computer is connected by ethernet cable to the router. The other
computers have only radio links. The router connects via cable to the
cable modem. So my concern is that if I enable encryption the other
computers will lose internet access.

m

 

[Chuck]

My own computer is connected by ethernet cable to the router. The other
computers have only radio links. The router connects via cable to the
cable modem. So my concern is that if I enable encryption the other
computers will lose internet access.

Well Mitchell,

You are sort of correct. If you enable encryption, and don't set it up
properly, on all computers, the others won't have access. And encryption won't
affect your wired computer, except that it will help to protect your wired
computer from your neighbors.

On the other hand, if your neighbors start using your open access point for
their Internet service, they could cause problems, and none of you could end up
with access. Read the articles please. You have to secure your network - and
if your network is wireless (any portion), all of your computers are at risk
until you do secure it.

But if you plan the process, and enable encryption carefully, you should be able
to get it done with no problems. Start by listing the WiFi hardware you have -
is it WEP / WPA (WPA Preferable) capable? List make and model of each WiFi item
please.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/wep-just-isnt-enough-protection.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/wep-just-isnt-enough-protection.html
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/setting-up-wifi-lan-please-protect.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/setting-up-wifi-lan-please-protect.html
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/11/setting-up-wifi-lan.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/11/setting-up-wifi-lan.html

 

[I. Myself]

I have a D-Link wireless router, and 3 computers in a LAN. It is not

encrypted. I see how I can go into the D-Link menus at 192.168.0.1 and
enable encryption, but I'm afraid to do it, because I think that the
other computers on the LAN will be denied access. If I keep the
neighbors from using it I'm also keeping the people in my house from
using it! How do I handle this problem?



Well Mitchell,

You are sort of correct. If you enable encryption, and don't set it up
properly, on all computers, the others won't have access. And encryption won't
affect your wired computer, except that it will help to protect your wired
computer from your neighbors.

On the other hand, if your neighbors start using your open access point for
their Internet service, they could cause problems, and none of you could end up
with access. Read the articles please. You have to secure your network - and
if your network is wireless (any portion), all of your computers are at risk
until you do secure it.

But if you plan the process, and enable encryption carefully, you should be able
to get it done with no problems. Start by listing the WiFi hardware you have -
is it WEP / WPA (WPA Preferable) capable? List make and model of each WiFi item
please.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/wep-just-isnt-enough-protection.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/wep-just-isnt-enough-protection.html
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/setting-up-wifi-lan-please-protect.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/setting-up-wifi-lan-please-protect.html
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/11/setting-up-wifi-lan.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/11/setting-up-wifi-lan.html

I took a look at your pages. I mostly cannot understand them. That is
far too complicated for me; I'm just a computer user. I may have to
simply leave my system with no encryption, which has not caused any
problems so far, to my knowledge. Or, I can hire a professional to do
it, but that will prolly cost me $75.

As I said, I know how to enable encryption. Can someone tell me what
to do so that the computers in my home retain wireless connectivity?

Thanks,

m

 

[Chuck]

I have a D-Link wireless router, and 3 computers in a LAN. It is not

I took a look at your pages. I mostly cannot understand them. That is
far too complicated for me; I'm just a computer user. I may have to
simply leave my system with no encryption, which has not caused any
problems so far, to my knowledge. Or, I can hire a professional to do
it, but that will prolly cost me $75.

As I said, I know how to enable encryption. Can someone tell me what
to do so that the computers in my home retain wireless connectivity?

Mitchell,

Start by listing the make and model of the router, and of the WiFi network cards
in the computers. Incompatible, and outdated, equipment is probably the biggest
problem with setting up WiFi encryption.

Once we have that, and verify that your equipment can handle the task, we'll try
and walk you thru the rest.

 

[I. Myself]

Mitchell,

Start by listing the make and model of the router, and of the WiFi network cards
in the computers. Incompatible, and outdated, equipment is probably the biggest
problem with setting up WiFi encryption.

Once we have that, and verify that your equipment can handle the task, we'll try
and walk you thru the rest.

Thank you, Chuck. The Router is a D-Link DI-524 802.11g/2.4GHz.
The cards are TRENDnet TEW-423PI 54Mbps 802.11g
The LAN has been in use for many months, generally working well.

m