I use a Netgear WGT 624 v3 wireless router to just communicate with another desktop in which I installed a WAN card. This system is used by less than tech savvy family members (worse than me).
I have changed the administration settings and enabled MAC filtering, is this the most secure route?
Password remembrance is a challenge for these users, hence the MAC setting.
Would it be more secure if I where to change the settings to using a password instead? Would I be able to save this settings on a USB dongle?
In short, I need the most secure setup, yet the most user friendly also.
Any advice is most welcome !
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Most secure wireless router settings?
(7 posts)
MAC filtering prevents other computers from accessing the wireless network.
I would recommend also enabling WPA with a password.
WPA makes so the traffic going though the air is encrypted.
So in theory if someone had a device that could read the unencrypted traffic following though the air then not having WPA enabled could be a privacy problem.
I have no idea if such a device exists so I can't say for sure it would be a problem.
You would also want a strong password for WPA so it can't be found with a dictionary attack or bruteforce attack.
As for user friendly Windows will save the password when you first connect to the wireless so it won't need to be typed again.
Note: Besides WPA there is WEP but from what I've read WEP can be cracked in 10 minutes of monitoring the wireless traffic.
There are two main systems of wireless encryption, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA).
WEP was the first system but many problems with it were found so WPA was created.
For Windows if you select a wireless access point with WEP or WPA enabled on it, it will show a password dialog and once you enter the password Windows will remember the password and access point name and automatically connect to the wireless network with that info in the future whenever it sees the wireless network.
The thing is, the easily-crackable encryption of WEP is not a big deal unless you're being attacked. Unless somebody is actively trying to steal your services and information, WEP is just a deterrent to your neighbor stealing your wireless. Although I do recommend WPA, just in case somebody is after you!
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