[thumper]

newbie here.

i searched but couldn't find anything really specific?

i have adsl at home hooked up to a desktop. i want to get a laptop as well in the future, and was told i would need a wireless router if i want to get internet access on it. but someone else is now telling me that there are a lot of security and wireless connection interference issues that come with using wireless routers, but he didn't specify if there were any preventions/solutions to these problems... is this going to an issue for me? :confused:

[Manic!]

newbie here.

i searched but couldn't find anything really specific?

i have adsl at home hooked up to a desktop. i want to get a laptop as well in the future, and was told i would need a wireless router if i want to get internet access on it. but someone else is now telling me that there are a lot of security and wireless connection interference issues that come with using wireless routers, but he didn't specify if there were any preventions/solutions to these problems... is this going to an issue for me? :confused:
No as long as you get a decent router like the Linksys WRT. It can be had for under $50 if you shop around.

[icemiko]

No, when you get a wireless router just make sure you set a password and maybe a MAC filter so people can't steal your connection.

[johny]

you could just buy a wired router, and plug the laptop in if you're really concerned. you don't "need" a wireless router to make a laptop online

[thumper]

i was hoping to use a wireless router because i want to carry the laptop around with me at home rather than be stuck in one room... is that possible?

still a noob... what makes the Linksys WRT so special? what is a MAC filter?

[icemiko]

Yes, you can carry the laptop around you in your house with a wireless router.

And a MAC filter is an option you can set in most routers that basically let's you put in all the mac address of the computers that you want connection to your router, so if someone's mac address isn't there, they won't be able to use your connection.

[Manic!]

just make sure you set a password and maybe a MAC filter so people can't steal your connection.

I don't have a password or MAC filter. If someone wants to borrow my internet, big deal. Wouldn't it be great if everyone did that? and Shaw can kiss my butt for going over allowed bandwidth because when I signed up way back when they told me it was unlimited.

[Manic!]

i was hoping to use a wireless router because i want to carry the laptop around with me at home and be stuck in one room... is that possible?

still a noob... what makes the Linksys WRT so special?

I've owned 3 routers and the Linksys is the only one that has been rock sold for me and many other people that I have talked to. Also the firmware is upgradable with 3rd party stuff if you want to do that. Just get the WRT and be happy.

[icemiko]

I don't have a password or MAC filter. If someone wants to borrow my internet, big deal. Wouldn't it be great if everyone did that? and Shaw can kiss my butt for going over allowed bandwidth because when I signed up way back when they told me it was unlimited.
:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol

[thumper]

I don't have a password or MAC filter. If someone wants to borrow my internet, big deal. Wouldn't it be great if everyone did that? and Shaw can kiss my butt for going over allowed bandwidth because when I signed up way back when they told me it was unlimited.


but can't someone hack in and get your private online info?

where is the best place to buy a linksys WRT?

thanks in advance...

[Manic!]

but can't someone hack in and get your private online info?

where is the best place to buy a linksys WRT?

thanks in advance...

The Router acts as a firewall so they can't access your info on your computer.

Check this for the best price:
http://www.shopbot.ca/p-6663.html
and then price match with NCIX.com.
Get the wireless G one not the wireless N one.

[impactX]

I don't have a password or MAC filter. If someone wants to borrow my internet, big deal. Wouldn't it be great if everyone did that? and Shaw can kiss my butt for going over allowed bandwidth because when I signed up way back when they told me it was unlimited.

Are you sure that you don't mind people using BT or downloading kiddy porn with your connection?

[Manic!]

Are you sure that you don't mind people using BT or downloading kiddy porn with your connection?

Just like Shaw cable and some hotels that have free wifi I have no idea what people are using it for, but if I can just help one kid from the horrors of Shaw lite speed or worse dial up it will be all worth it. I'm not greedy and like to share just like some people donate money I donate bandwidth. Give it a try and maybe one day you will in a place with no net access and someone will be kind enough to share theirs.

[underscore]

^ plus most of the time the people jacking it are only using it temporarily, I know when I moved to my new house and didn't have net for a few days being able to access my neighbors router to check my e-mail was nice. It was slow as hell due to the weak signal but still. now I don't bother with a password because the only people who are in range of the router are either my neighbors, parked in my driveway, or parked on the side of a very busy hill.

[bigrig]

u kno if u have the newer model of the telus adsl broadband router, it has wireless built in

[Hyde]

The Router acts as a firewall so they can't access your info on your computer.

Check this for the best price:
http://www.shopbot.ca/p-6663.html
and then price match with NCIX.com.
Get the wireless G one not the wireless N one.


when ppl are using your wifi, they can access your computer directly from your network.

[icemiko]

u kno if u have the newer model of the telus adsl broadband router, it has wireless built in
If anyone wants that one PM me, I have a brand new one used for like 10min. I don't like it because I can't port forward but yes it has a built in modem and wireless router and 4 ports for wired connections too.

[enrai]

but can't someone hack in and get your private online info?

where is the best place to buy a linksys WRT?

thanks in advance...
Make sure you configure the router right after you have it connected. It's somewhat easy to setup :)

If Best Buy or Future Shop doesn't have one on sale right now, they'll have them on sale pretty soon. The last time I was looking for a new router, FS had one on sale, and then BB had them on sale a couple of weeks later.

[underscore]

when ppl are using your wifi, they can access your computer directly from your network.

only if you leave your computer open

[yukky]

when ppl are using your wifi, they can access your computer directly from your network.

DD-WRT can put wifi on a different vlan.

[zechsiw]

Actually tomato is better than DD-WRT on QoS, QoS is more important than anything if you BT.
And telus wireless built-in modem sucks, I rather use D-link 300g or speed touch + wireless router.

[yukky]

Wow, when did anyone mention QoS?

[johnnyd99]

Be sure to set an ID/Password for your router. I have a situation where I live in an apartment and I can literally tap into 5 or 6 unprotected connections - meaning anyone can leech off them and not pay a dime. To avoid this, make sure you don't just plug in your router and leave it on the default settings,,,because default is typcially unsecure and accessible to anyone!

If you set a password for it you will be fine, it is very unlikely someone is going to hack you unless you are a targeted.

[underscore]

^ but actually set the password, instead of user: "default" or "admin" password: "password"

[Soundy]

The Router acts as a firewall so they can't access your info on your computer.

when ppl are using your wifi, they can access your computer directly from your network.

only if you leave your computer open

It's ridiculously easy to access a LAN machine if sharing is turned on at all, and not all that difficult even if it's not, because of all the shit Windows leaves enabled by default.

Hey underscore, where do you live, I gonna come h4x0r yer b0x0r.

[underscore]

Kelowna, feel free to come up and park in my driveway or on the side of a really busy hill if you need a 10% connection that bad. The only computer that's always connected to the network is my d/ling / streaming box that I don't really care about anyways haha.

[way2quik]

Now that we are on a wireless router topic, I bought wrt54gl months ago, and nowhere in the manual does it allow me to create a username, just password.

Even if router acts as a firewall, can't people still access your computer due to file sharing and peer discovery being enabled, as Soundy stated? (seeing i do not use software firewall)

[Presto]

^^^
The firewall will protect you on the internet side of the connection. If someone connects wirelessly to your router, they'll be on the other side of the firewall (your side), and have access to the rest of the computers on your network, provided they aren't protected.

[Soundy]

^^^
The firewall will protect you on the internet side of the connection. If someone connects wirelessly to your router, they'll be on the other side of the firewall (your side), and have access to the rest of the computers on your network, provided they aren't protected.

Precisely.

[wouwou]

Now that we are on a wireless router topic, I bought wrt54gl months ago, and nowhere in the manual does it allow me to create a username, just password.

Even if router acts as a firewall, can't people still access your computer due to file sharing and peer discovery being enabled, as Soundy stated? (seeing i do not use software firewall)

er...

log onto the root page, there is a tap for you to set the user name and password.

[way2quik]

er...

log onto the root page, there is a tap for you to set the user name and password.

I would have done so if there was. =/
Dunno about tomato fw but linksys doesn't have that option, or similar.
Just wanted to double check.

[wouwou]

^ forgot I updated to custom FW LOL

but it is retarded the original FW does not have this option, this make 100% no sense

[thumper]

bringing my old thread back to life.

i finally got a WRT54GL:

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=17408&vpn=WRT54GL&manufacture=Linksys&promoid=1081

i've done the basic install. i'm using it attached to a desktop PC and running wireless to an acer 3600 revo upstairs. username/password has been set, and firmware has been updated. i'm getting a 3-bar signal out of 5.

my problem is that i'm getting a very slow internet connection.

dell desktop PC: wired, windows xp
download speed 1.91 Mb/s
upload speed 10.96Mb/s
ping 120ms

acer revo: wireless, windows vista
download speed 0.38Mb/s
upload speed 0.55Mb/s
ping 73ms

what am i doing wrong? :confused:

someone suggested that i have too many firewalls? the router has one, and the wireless computer with vista has a firewall as well... i haven't networked both computers together.

[thumper]

also, should i be using tomato firmware instead? http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato http://www.ben.geek.nz/adsl-routing-solution-in-detail/