Wireless network and security

  • Thread starter Thread starter Keppy
  • Start date Start date
K

Keppy

I have an 802.11b home network with 4 computers. I have to enter my WEP to
access the network, but once I do that, I have access to all the computers
and it's shared drives. If I activate the XP firewall, I don't have access
to any of my network computers.

How do I setup the computers shared drives to only allow the computers I
want to have access? I'm concerned that anyone can access all my computers
once they access the router, or through the internet and my cable
connection.

Thanks,
Carol
 
Are you running XP Home or Pro? If you're using 128 bit WEP security for your wireless connections, and the built in firewall is enabled on your router, then you're pretty secure. However, for the shared files and folders question, XP Pro is more secure than XP Home.
 
I have Pro on two of my 4 computers, Media on one and Home on the other. The
router firewall is on but I'm only using 64bit WEP. I don't know how many
digits are in the 128 bit version and I can memorize the 10 required digits
for the 64bit.

If I'm on the internet, how does someone sneak in, do they connect much the
same way I do with my home network? Do they have to by pass the firewall and
then know the WEP, or does getting past the firewall get them in?
Carol

Are you running XP Home or Pro? If you're using 128 bit WEP security for
your wireless connections, and the built in firewall is enabled on your
router, then you're pretty secure. However, for the shared files and
folders question, XP Pro is more secure than XP Home.
 
If they're coming in from the Internet, then they would have to get past the built in firewall in the router, as long as you have it enabled. WEP security is only for your wireless connections. It can prevent someone from accessing your LAN connections, via the wireless interface of the router, or the PC's themselves. It also prevents someone from monitoring your wireless connection and seeing the data that's going back and forth. Of course, with enough time and the right tools, any encryption can be broken, but I doubt its worth the time for most. WEP security doesn't have anything to do with traffic that comes from the Internet.

The 128 bit WEP key is 26 hexadecimal digits (0-9 and A-F), and is more secure than 64 bit.
 
Thank so much Doug, for your help. To tell you the truth, I live pretty far
out and if anyone was close enough to connect to my wireless, they'd be
pretty conspicuous. I just wonder if the firewall is enough to keep internet
snoopers out.
Carol

If they're coming in from the Internet, then they would have to get past the
built in firewall in the router, as long as you have it enabled. WEP
security is only for your wireless connections. It can prevent someone
from accessing your LAN connections, via the wireless interface of the
router, or the PC's themselves. It also prevents someone from monitoring
your wireless connection and seeing the data that's going back and forth.
Of course, with enough time and the right tools, any encryption can be
broken, but I doubt its worth the time for most. WEP security doesn't have
anything to do with traffic that comes from the Internet.

The 128 bit WEP key is 26 hexadecimal digits (0-9 and A-F), and is more
secure than 64 bit.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
 
Your router's firewall is designed to keep people out. To prevent unauthorized programs from accessing the internet, you'll need a software firewall for your computer(s).
 
Like Symantec firewall? Will that interfere with my home network? I notice
that the XP firewall does block my home network.


Your router's firewall is designed to keep people out. To prevent
unauthorized programs from accessing the internet, you'll need a software
firewall for your computer(s).

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
 
Yes, but you can configure most good software firewalls to permit traffic to/from specific IP addresses. I don't recommend any particular 3rd party firewall, though.
 
I have an 802.11b home network with 4 computers. I have to enter my WEP to
access the network, but once I do that, I have access to all the computers
and it's shared drives. If I activate the XP firewall, I don't have access
to any of my network computers.

How do I setup the computers shared drives to only allow the computers I
want to have access? I'm concerned that anyone can access all my computers
once they access the router, or through the internet and my cable
connection.
Click to expand...

What I do is enable the firewall on the router (not the XP firewall) so
that outsiders aren't able to enter through the firewall in the first
place.

Second, I enabled MAC address filtering on my router so that only a
specific set of ethernet cards are able to actually connect to my router.
This ensures that my neighbors won't be able to log on to my wireless
network.

You may also want to give your computers fixed IP addresses behind the
firewall and disable the DHCP server on the router to further secure your
network.

Your router manual should have all the info.

Himanshu
 
Manual... your router came with a manual?

Himanshu Gohel said:
What I do is enable the firewall on the router (not the XP firewall) so
that outsiders aren't able to enter through the firewall in the first
place.

Second, I enabled MAC address filtering on my router so that only a
specific set of ethernet cards are able to actually connect to my router.
This ensures that my neighbors won't be able to log on to my wireless
network.

You may also want to give your computers fixed IP addresses behind the
firewall and disable the DHCP server on the router to further secure your
network.

Your router manual should have all the info.

Himanshu
Click to expand...
 
Manual... your router came with a manual?
Click to expand...

Ha! Not in print anyway...these days manual is synonymous with online
help/PDF/CHM/KnowledgeBase/FAQ/web-site documentation....sigh.

Himanshu
 
Back
Top