r51e and Belkin Modem with wireless G router

[mastermiaow]

Hello from London UK

At the moment I am sharing accomodation with someone who has a wireless G router. The security on it is not enabled and I am unclear how to enable it via Access connections I have been told that accessing the internet using a wireless router without security is quite a risk. Is this right? Is there anything I can do to protect myself apart from enabling the security on the router? (I have Spysweeper, AVG anti virus and Windows XP firewall).

Any help gratefully appreciated

Matthew

[BeeJayEmm]

Hello Matthew,
Unless I'm mistaken, you cannot enable security for your router using Access Connections. That can only be accomplished by logging in to the router. Do you have a Belkin router or another type? Not knowing the router brand, I can't give specific instructions but on my D-Link router, you open a web browser and enter the I.P. address of the router (http://192.168.0.1). This will probably bring up a log-in dialog box asking for a user name and password (which may have been changed from the default; you'll have to ask the owner). Once logged in, you may change any settings you need, including enabling WEP, WPA or whatever flavor you like. Getting the manual for the router will greatly simplify the process. Once security is enabled on the router, you must enable it on your computer, so you might want to set up the type and security key for your connection profile in Access Connections in advance.

Using unsecured wireless internet access certainly does put your computer at some risk. The software you have will do a pretty good job of mitigating that risk, although a bi-directional firewall would be better (the XP included one only monitors incoming traffic). Enabling WEP or, preferably, WPA in conjunction with your software will protect you pretty well, I would think. You could also try turning off the router SSID broadcast to deter others from getting into your network.

God save the Queen!

Brian

[mastermiaow]

Hi Brian

T'hanks for replying
To answer your question, I have a Belkin router. Are you saying that I need to go to some sort of website and enter the IP address of the router. I am not sure how I find the website?? But I will ask my flatmate about any manual that came with the router.
It seems I can't do very much just with my computer settings - everything has to be done via the router.
Does turning off the router SSID broadcast also have to be done via logging with the IP address etc?
The other side of the coin is that I am having to clear by parent' house where there is no phone line. I am accessing someone else's unsecured network with WIFI Is there any precaution I should be taking in this situation?

[BeeJayEmm]

Hi again, Mathew,
No, you won't be going to a web site, you will be logging directly into your router using a web browser. I went to Belkin's website (http://www.belkin.com/support/) and looked at a couple of router manuals (not sure if either was the one you're using) and learned they both use the address 192.168.2.1 , so open your browser of choice and type that address exactly as written into the browser address bar and press "Enter". This will take you to the router home page, where you can see the current settings. To change them, you need to log in. The default setting is no password, so if this hasn't been changed, just click "Submit". If it has been changed, you'll have to extract the info from your roommate, by force, if neccesary . Then change the settings you desire, including turning off the SSID broadcast.

If you get the model number off the router, you can probably find and download the user manual for it at the link above and follow the correct steps exactly. I forgot to say in my earlier post that most if not all routers have a hardware firewall built in, which also provides some measure of protection from internet miscreants.

Although I don't understand the colloquialism "clear by parent' house", I assume you'll be poaching some unsuspecting individual's signal. The only advice I can offer on protecting yourself in that situation is to use the software you already have, use the connection sparingly and turn off your wireless radio when using your computer offline. Where I live, using someone else's wireless signal without permission is a crime and they have actually prosecuted some individuals successfully. If the same is true where you live, I hope you know a competent barrister!

Brian

[mastermiaow]

Thanks for your help Barry

First thing is I mistyped what I was doing at my parents house. Unfortunately my father passed away in December and I have been clearing/emptying the house which has been exhausting and the main reason why have not had time to get back to you before now. Yes it is illegal here and I also managed to get a trojan called ldpinch but I used Webroot to get rid of it. However the clearing has finished and hopefully I will not have to use a Barrister (I am impressed as most Americans don't know about the dual legal positions we have over here.)
I also managed to enable security on the Belkin router where I live. I did more or less as you said - I rang their helpline and they talked me through it. However I cannot figure out how to change access connections to allow me to use the Belkin router! So I can use my flatmates desktop but not my wireless laptop The newly secured router even has my name on it but I cannot access it! (I can see it when I click "Find Wireless Connections" via IBM Access Connections window.)
I am now having to tap into someone else's wireless here!! Matt is also listed as one of the location profiles but again I cannot seem to change anything via "Manage location profiles".
HELP!
Please can you guide me through?

[mastermiaow]

I managed to sort this out through ringing Belkin and inputting the required personal code into the laptop.