http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#41997065
Not only was this guy accused of a scarring crime, he essentially allowed the real perp to easily commit the crime. If you have a router, put a password on it. It’s not going to stop a professional hacker, but it will at least keep someone, possibly a no good someone, from stealing your signal and doing unlawful things while using it.
password + mac address filtering + encryption = win
That will probably stop about 99.999999% of all hackers. I am not even sure how it gets beat. It probably involves installing a root kit on your machine.
[quote=“NinerAdvocate, post:2, topic:25123”]password (long, using WPA2 not WEP) + mac address filtering + encryption = win
That will probably stop about 99.999999% of all hackers. I am not even sure how it gets beat. It probably involves installing a root kit on your machine.[/quote]
ftfy
It’s also a good idea not to use a default SSID like “netgear” or “linksys” – be cool, make yours “UofCharlotte” or “NormNiner” – makes it much harder to beat.
What are the last two, NA? I have a password on mine that no normal person is going to figure out, but not sure about the other two.
[quote=“C49erMoose, post:3, topic:25123”][quote=“NinerAdvocate, post:2, topic:25123”]password (long, using WPA2 not WEP) + mac address filtering + encryption = win
That will probably stop about 99.999999% of all hackers. I am not even sure how it gets beat. It probably involves installing a root kit on your machine.[/quote]
ftfy
It’s also a good idea not to use a default SSID like “netgear” or “linksys” – be cool, make yours “UofCharlotte” or “NormNiner” – makes it much harder to beat.[/quote]My network is “Go Niners!” 
Okay so I was given a wireless network some 7 years ago or something… I never password protected it (used it at school basically) but also never had problems with people logging onto it - I figure that was bc everywhere I lived internet was included in rent, but whatever. The other night I noticed that another computer was on my network (thank you macbook HD) - and since I don’t know who they are…its a problem.
I know I should buy I new “updated” router, but I’m in grad school so its not exactly a budgetary priority.
That said - I tried to set up the password protection the other night. It wouldn’t let me set it up as a phrase. In fact, it wanted me to type in a phrase, then it would generate a series of keys which contained random characters (the kind you don’t memorize). Furthermore, I tried to set each of the keys to be the same numerical combination and it wouldn’t allow me to log onto multiple computers.
Anyone have a suggestion? I just wanted to set up a regular password thats easy to remember so when friends come over they can log on. It’s a netgear router. Thanks for the help.
What are the last two, NA? I have a password on mine that no normal person is going to figure out, but not sure about the other two.[/quote]
Every machine has its own MAC #, usually based on the wireless/ethernet connection hardware. It’s like a serial #, and it can be found on a sticker on the machine. It’s unique. AFAIK, everything that can be networked has one, xbox,s DVD players, iPads, etc. Mac address filtering is usually a tab in your router. You basically copy/paste the numbers onto a list. Only those machines are allowed to connect to your network. It’s a little draconian because you have to add every new machine you add, including friends/family that may just need access for a day or two. But it works.
Encryption is just what you think it is. If your data is beaming around the airwaves unencrypted, anyone savvy can grab it and download it and instantly access/see it. If it’s encrypted, they’re not going to have the key, and it’ll be jibberish, whether its pictures/text/video, etc. The encryption available now on Windows machines is total overkill for sending family photos and loading the facebook page of the person you hooked up with last night. It’s almost military grade. WPA2 is the current highest standard for home usage (WEP is old, and is easier to hack). It’s already built into most routers, so use it. It’s free.
You can read more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_Protected_Access
WEP is very easily hacked… definitely go for WPA if available.
For those attempting to hack your own wireless network in order to test your security there is a Virtual Machine which has all the software and tools needed called backtrack 4. http://www.backtrack-linux.org :o
Where many people mess up is that they fail to change the router’s default system password… not the one for the wireless but the one that gives root access to the router’s admin. Not only can someone log in and change the password they can flash the firmware with a prehacked version which you will likely never know about. This could have a proxy server or other such that would allow a hacker to collect information and hijack user sessions, etc and essentially become you online. DONT FORGET TO SET UP THE ADMIN PASSWORD!!
how do you get physical access to the router to change the admin password without a rootkit or without bypassing the wireless security?
clt doesn’t have this issue with hackers using his aol dial up.
Way too complicated. I live in a house, not apts., so hopefully the other house isn’t close enough, & I’ll take my chances.
Doesn’t matter. Watch the video I linked above. The perp was 1500+ feet away from the guy’s apartment in a nearby marina. The experts in the video made a strong antenna out of a dang Pringle’s can that picked up pretty much every wireless network within that same distance. Even if you know your neighbors well, it doesn’t mean someone won’t misuse your network if they can get access to it.
LOL, it literally takes 2 minutes to setup WPA2 on a wireless network.
It takes 2 minutes if you’re a hacker or majored in computers. Most people, just know how to use what gets them where they’re going. Like links to the internet, MS Word, etc.
I hacked SCK’s computer… all his passwords were the same… “boobs”