Someone is stealing my wireless bandwidth [katkat]

My neighbor told me his house guest supposedly used my wireless INTERNET. I thought I had my router secured when it was installed. Guess maybe not. My question is how do I go back and secure it. I don't use a router other than the one my INTERNET provider provided with DSL. It has networking included. I need detailed instructions in simple language please. Like how do I find set it to WPA? And where do I do this?

 

I have a desktop which I do not use wireless on and a laptop that I use the wireless for. No one else should be using my network.

 

what kind of router are you using

 

I am only using the box my internet provider set up when I got DSL. It is a Netopia 3347WG.

 

Here is some info for you: http://www.netopia.com/support/hardware/3347wvgx.html Looks like a pretty good guide. Post any questions you have.

E

 

Thanks for the link I will read it over. In the mean time if you have some simple pointers I would appreciate it.

 

Enable the WEP/WPA. Do not broadcast the SSID. Change the default password on your router. If you are not using wireless, disable it on your router.

What do you need help with?

E

 

I use the wireless for my laptop. When I bring up the "Wireless Network Connection" it says Security-enabled wireless network. I have the box up that is for USB wireless adapter properties and I have clicked on "Advanced" tab and clicked on SSID and it ask me to select its value. There is a box that is blank. I don't know what value I am suppose to put there. Have not found the WEP/WPA yet.

 

You need to configure your router from a wired computer. In an internet browswer, type in your router's ip http://www.netopia.com/support/hardware/technotes/NQG_110.html

Once you are in the router, you should be able to adjust/setup security.

E

 

What should I do with IP Passthrough enable or disable? It is now disabled. Do I change the Default ChanneL? and Isn't WPA better than WEP? Should I change the Encryption Key#1? Thanks for your help.

 

IP Passthrough, I am not familiar with. There is no need to change the channel unless you are getting interferance. WPA is better than WEP, but any security is better than none.

Let's take this one step at at time. Do you have acces via a wired computer to your router's interface?

E

 

Yes I am on my wired PC now. I am in the Advanced settings on my router. Ready to change what needs to be changed there.

 

There are 2 WPA setttings to choose from, WPA PSK and WPA 802.

 

If I choose WPA most of the other options go away. So is that all I need to do? Or do I need to check block bridging or check " enable closed system mode" ? It also ask me to configure the RADIUS server what ever that is lol

 

My link has you with WEP. If you have WPA, pick that.

 

Ok back to the SSID. do I go back and disable that now? What is this "The SafeHarbour IPSec feature is not enabled"?


Thanks for all your help.

 

All I am getting is info about WEP for your router. http://www.netopia.com/support/hardware/technotes/NQG_112.html

You have this Netopia 3347W router?

E

 

It is 3347WG. Anyway the changes I made to WPA seem to be OK since I still can log into it with my handheld. I have not checked the laptop as of yet. Having a screen blackout issue with the laptop. I don't know if I still need to make other changes. Thanks.

 

So I still have questions about how or if I need to "configure a RADIUS server to complete 802.1x configuration". Also about SSID. Like I said before when I enabled WAP some of the options went away and I don't know where to find SSID now without starting all over, which I would rather not do if it is not necessary.
As you can tell I don't know much. So your help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

Katkat, have you changed your password yet? If not, it is possible for someone unethical to be seeing what you are doing and changing it back again as fast as you are securing it.

 

I did reset it and it is still WPA. Then after reading our post I tried to reset it again just for good measure and it keeps saying the password is too long. I thinking it means my old password because I am typing in a shorter one for the new one. It is not accepting it. So now I am not sure what to do.

 

How did you reset the router? Check this out: http://www.netopia.com/support/hardware/technotes/CQG_102.html That will reset the router. I would do that with the router just wired to your computer, no internet.

Then change the password for the router. By default, most broadcast the SSID and have WEP, WPA off. While your router is offline, setup your home network and security. Then turn off the SSID broadcast, and get it back on the interweb. You may need to reboot all the routers, computers, and cable/broadband routers.

 

Thanks I will do that.

 

Thanks I will do that now.

 

Whewwwww!!!rolleyes I think I finally have it. Took a reconfigure of my handheld PC to get it to connect to my wireless. So I am taking that as a good sign that my wireless is more secure now. Now if I can just get my laptop screen problem fixed I will be all set. Thanks to you for taking the time to help.

 

:-D Now let's double check a few things. You have a new password on the router. So if a neighbor tries to get into your router, they need the password.

You have WEP or WPA enabled so if someone wants to connect with your wireless, they have to enter a password. That is different from the router's password.

You no longer broadcast the SSID on your wireless. You may need to turn that back on briefly to add another wireless computer, then turn it back off.

Post up any questions you have.

 

Yes to all.

 

Sounds like you are in buisiness! One sugestion. Write down your Router Login Name and Password, and your WEP key, and put it somewhere safe. I set up my first wireless a couple of years ago. After 6 months, I had forgotten my password, and had to reset it and set it up again.:-D