How to setup WEP and MAC addressing

daveg

I've read through several threads having done a search on here about securing a wireless network. So for my home setup (D-link router accessed by my Desktop, a Laptop and a PDA) I need to enable WEP and also setup MAC addressing for each of the PC's/PDA.

However I couldn't find any threads showing how to set this up (sorry if it has been posted before but I couldn't find it)? Can anyone post how I would enable WEP and setup MAC addressing? How would I go about getting the MAC address of my PC/Laptop/PDA? Does MAC = IP address?

Thanks in advance.

NutJob

Whois your isp and we will walk you through it step by step

-Mac adresses are not ip adresses Suggest you avoid that adressing by leaving DHCP enabled(on by default).


What you want to enable is WPA-PSK
http://support.dlink.com/faq/view.asp?prod_id=1506&question=DI-524%20/%20DI-524_revD%20/%20DI-524_revE%20/%20DI-774%20/%20DI-784%20/%20DI-624_revB%20/%20DI-624_revC%20/%20DI-624S%20/%20DI-774_revB%20/%20DI-614+_revB%20/%20DI-524_revC

Foxwood

daveg wrote:

I've read through several threads having done a search on here about securing a wireless network. So for my home setup (D-link router accessed by my Desktop, a Laptop and a PDA) I need to enable WEP and also setup MAC addressing for each of the PC's/PDA.

However I couldn't find any threads showing how to set this up (sorry if it has been posted before but I couldn't find it)? Can anyone post how I would enable WEP and setup MAC addressing? How would I go about getting the MAC address of my PC/Laptop/PDA? Does MAC = IP address?

Thanks in advance.

They must be old articles you read.

You need to use WPA-PSK encryption (WEP can be cracked in about 15 minutes). MAC filtering isn't worth the effort of collecting the MAC addresses - it won't buy you anything from a security point of view. ("cloning" a MAC address is utterly trivial).

As for how you set up WPA security, it all depends on what software you are using. If you are using the client that came with your network card, then you'll need instructions specific to that client. If you're using Wireless Zero Configuration (the generic Wireless cleint built into XP), then you'll find some pointers on the web.

Here's a tutorial that covers the basics.

daveg

NutJob wrote:

Whois your isp and we will walk you through it step by step

EsatBT nutjob.

I should just say lads I'm not looking to setup fotnox. I live in a small estate out in the country. Very little chance of a hacker trying to get in.

it all depends on what software you are using

I'm not sure to be honest. I have a Dlink wireless router is thats any help?

Foxwood

daveg wrote:

I should just say lads I'm not looking to setup fotnox. I live in a small estate out in the country. Very little chance of a hacker trying to get in.

Why bother setting up encryption at all, then? Settingup WPA-PSK isn't any harder than setting up WEP (it's usually easier in fact, if you have hardware from different companies).

Foxwood

daveg wrote:

I'm not sure to be honest. I have a Dlink wireless router is thats any help?

Seting up the router is pretty easy - just log onto the router (192.168.0;.1 by default) click on the Wireless button, and select WPA2 from the drop-down menu.

It's the client side that depends on the software you are using.

daveg

Foxwood wrote:

Seting up the router is pretty easy - just log onto the router (192.168.0;.1 by default) click on the Wireless button, and select WPA2 from the drop-down menu.

It's the client side that depends on the software you are using.

Thanks for the help Foxwood. I tried your suggestion but my home page when I login into the router is slightly different. The wireless menu is located in the setup menu and only gives the option's none, WEP, WPA as per screenshot:



Should I select WPA? Also how will WPA stop others from using my wifi? Will you need to enter a password to use the service?

Thanks in advance.

Foxwood

daveg wrote:

Thanks for the help Foxwood. I tried your suggestion but my home page when I login into the router is slightly different. The wireless menu is located in the setup menu and only gives the option's none, WEP, WPA as per screenshot:
Should I select WPA? Also how will WPA stop others from using my wifi? Will you need to enter a password to use the service?

What model of D-Link do you have? It might be worth looking for upgraded firmare, as D-Link devices usually include the device name on the page.

Anyway just select WPA, select the PSK String option and enter a passphrase. (You can use a full sentence, not just a single word. The longer it is, the more secure it is. Use numbers and mixed case for added security). When you set the clients up for WPA-PSK use exactly the same "Pre-shared key" in the configuration.

The clients won't prompt you to enter a password each time they connect, but only wireless clients that you have configured with that PSK wil be able to connect to that router.

daveg

Foxwood wrote:

What model of D-Link do you have?

It's a DSL-G604T.

Foxwood wrote:

When you set the clients up for WPA-PSK use exactly the same "Pre-shared key" in the configuration.

How do I set this up on the clients? I presume by clients you mean on the desktop/laptop/PDA. Do I set this up in internet explorer or network settings or something?

Thanks again for your help.

Foxwood

daveg wrote:

It's a DSL-G604T.

Ooops, I guess it says that right there in the SSID field.

How do I set this up on the clients? I presume by clients you mean on the desktop/laptop/PDA. Do I set this up in internet explorer or network settings or something?

As I said earlier, it depends on what client software you are using. If you can use the Wireless Zero Configuration client that comes with Windows XP, then the tutotial I linked to will help. If you use the client that comes with the wireless card, the steps will be slightly different, but should be fairly obvious.

daveg

Foxwood wrote:

Ooops, I guess it says that right there in the SSID field.
As I said earlier, it depends on what client software you are using. If you can use the Wireless Zero Configuration client that comes with Windows XP, then the tutotial I linked to will help. If you use the client that comes with the wireless card, the steps will be slightly different, but should be fairly obvious.

Ok I'll give it a go. Thanks a million for your help.

Dave.