Is this a good idea for securing a network???

[Crunch]

Hi all,

So I've not been able to get my @#$%^&*('ing Netgear Access Point to work, or, for that matter, been able to access it through its IP address.

So what I've done is go to MAC address filtering and configuring a password for the Fritzbox router (yes, the genius who installed it left it without one ).

So the Netgear remains wiiiiide open. BUT I configured the Fritzbox ROUTER to where the Netgear AP is connected to it by way of an Ethernet cable, but like I said, a password is needed to get into the Fritzbox's configuration utility. I consider this a band-aid solution. How easy is it to break through that password?

I also changed the router's WPA password, and restricted it from accepting any new WLAN devices. I put my new Thinkpad's MAC address in, and deleted my old T60p's MAC, and sure enough, no more getting on the net for that baby.

So...I've changed it to MAC address filtering, changed the WPA password, and assigned the router's config utility a password.

Two questions:

One, take the Netgear AP out of the equation. Isn't this the most secure I can make a router. MAC address filtering is pretty cool. What say you, guys?

Second, being that NO changes were made to the Netgear router, how safe is it to use it for accessing the Internet with it being completely open? The Fritzbox can't be attacked since I put a pw on the config utlity I believe. But if I'm on the Netgear router, other people can still use my network connection even though MAC address filtering is being used, but not on the Netgear AP.

What do you think of this "solution" that isn't really one?

This Netgear thing only has one good thing about it. It looks cute!! It really does. That's the first thing my mom said when I gave it to her.

Besides the two questions, any additional advice is greatly appreciated.

P.S. The Netgear unit is on the same floor, and on the same side of the house as my parents' wood burning fireplace. And it does get cold here now. Hmmmm...

[RealBlackStuff]

War drivers with half a good knowledge could break the MAC filtering.
If the house is far enough away from the road and/or neighbors (like at least 50+ feet), you should have nothing to worry about.
If your equipment supports it, you could go to WPA2.

To make your gear 'talk' to each other, have you tried using DHCP all over?

[Crunch]

War drivers with half a good knowledge could break the MAC filtering.
If the house is far enough away from the road and/or neighbors (like at least 50+ feet), you should have nothing to worry about.
If your equipment supports it, you could go to WPA2.

To make your gear 'talk' to each other, have you tried using DHCP all over?

Yea, it supports WPA2, and WPA+WPA2??? What do you mean by DHCP all over? I am asking, as I STILL have been unable to get my Netgear G602v3 to work. I can't even access its config utility with the supposed IP address 192.168.0.227.

Thanks!!!

[bill bolton]

MAC address filtering is pretty cool. What say you, guys?

It will take less than 5 minutes to break, even for a newbie wardriver.

any additional advice is greatly appreciated.

Get a wireless router that supports WPA2.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[RealBlackStuff]

You gave us an unknown model number. It's probably the WG602v3 and not a G602v3. Either way, its default IP = 192.168.0.227

Before going into a long description of what you should do and how, have you followed the (very clear) instructions on this Netgear webpage?
http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/WG602v3.asp

You should have:
ISP --> Fritzbox --> CAT5 --> AP - - > wifi - - > laptop/PC

fix IP --> Fritzbox set DHCP ON --> CAT5 --> AP set auto-IP/DNS --> wifi/(SSID optional, better not)/WPA(2) --> laptop/PC with auto-IP/DNS and WPA(2)