How To Check If Wireless Network Is Secure?

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Spartaniz

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Hey Guys

So i now have a broadband router connecting 1 desktop pc and 2 or 3 laptops.
how can i check how secure my network is and how can i make it more secure and is there any programs that will help me monitor and keep my network safe?.... sorry for all these questions, but its the first time i'm running a wireless network....

thanks...
 
How did you set it up? There are two issues with wireless networks, firstly, somebody can access the PCs connected to the wireless and bugger around or steal your data. Secondly, people can access the wireless network and gain access to the internet, thus using your cap.

To prevent people accessing your machine, use a software firewall (even Windows if you have to) to block incoming connections on all your PCs (remote users should not be initiating connections to your machine anyway). Search the forums for some suggestions on free firewalls.

To prevent the second scenario, make sure you set up strong encryption on the router. The safest way to secure your WLAN is to prevent people from connecting to it in the first place. This is very important, from my house, I can see at least 8 unprotected WLANS at any time during the day....

If you need specific instructions just ask :)
 
You can't really :p

Just make sure you're using AES :)
 
If the network signal isnt broadcast would it still be possible for outsiders to pick it up?

Once my laptops were setup to auto connect to the network i stopped broadcasting the signal which i would think would be fairly safe?
 
Smurfatefrog said:
If the network signal isnt broadcast would it still be possible for outsiders to pick it up?

Once my laptops were setup to auto connect to the network i stopped broadcasting the signal which i would think would be fairly safe?
Click to expand...

Yes
 
Security

I would say your main point of entry (Router) should be secured i.e.
disable external ftp, telnet, etc. access to your setup.
Then look at the wireless security setup - if you use something like bit defender s/w it will give you an indication of how strong/weak your password setup are?
And don't have the same passwords for all your setups - vary them.
 
davemc said:
Configure your wireless router to only allow certain MAC addresses to connect.
Click to expand...

Too easily subverted. This is better used for ensuring that only specific machines connect to certain access points.
 
davemc said:
Configure your wireless router to only allow certain MAC addresses to connect.
Click to expand...


thats not going to help with anyone who knows what they're doing, takes like a minutes to find the mac of a client connected to the AP and spoof yours.

best advised WPA/2 AES
 
is there any software to monitor who's connected to my network and what would you guys recommend as a firewall??...
 
Spartaniz said:
is there any software to monitor who's connected to my network and what would you guys recommend as a firewall??...
Click to expand...

Your access point should have that capability.

IPCop as a firewall.

Also, get wireshark. It can help you secure your network a bit more.
 
If you want to secure your WiFi router do the following:

1. Firstly change the default username and password of your router. Anyone connected can browse for your ADSL username and password. Use a least 12 letter passwords. Mix it with caps, numbers and special characters. Don't use dictionary words.

2. Use WPA2 - AES. Last I've heard is that WEP and WPA1 has been hacked. WP2 - AES has not been hacked yet AFAIK.

3. Hide the SSID. There are hacker tools to unhide the SSID, but this extra step can make it a step harder for the hacker.

4. Use mac addresses. Also there are hacker tools to spoof mac addresses, another step to increase security.

5. Turn off DHCP. The hacker has to use Static ip address to join the network. Make the network ip different than the norm. This make it harder for the hacker to guess the IP range.

6. Limit the IP range of the network. Anyone outside the range cannot connect.

7. Turn off remote access. Some routers can be access remotely and router setting can be change. Turn this setting off.

9. Use a personal firewall like Commodo - freeware.

I guaranttee you if you do the above, no hacker can break into your Wi-Fi network.
 
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