Vista - Internet connection, via wireless router, but not WEP protected

Hello everyone. I have done a quick search of these great forums for some help regarding my problem, but could not find anything that relates to the issue im having.

My Home network setup consists of the following....

In one room. 1 x laptop running XP Home, connected to the internet via a linksys wireless router, and modem.

In another room, I have this laptop, Acer Aspire, running Vista Business, and has wireless.

When I connected up my router (given to me by a family member, no software, just router, and mains adapter), and switched on my Acer laptop in the other room, I was able to connect to my Linksys Router, and gain access to the internet without any security whatsoever, no wep key or anything.

Now i know most people with problems have issues with not being able to connect to the internet because of a wep key lost or alike.

My issue is, i would like to add security to my network to stop other people in my building gaining access, or using my connection without my permission.

Does anyone know how i can go about this?

I can also connect my mobile phone to my home wireless network, and again, no wep key is asked for, which is quite worrying.

Hope someone can help.

Kind regards, and thanks in advance.

Micky

install http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357 on your XP machines

WEP is NOT safe. You should use WPA2 or at least WPA.
Log into the router, change the administrative password, the default
SSID name from Linksys to something else but not personally
identifiable information. then go setup WPA security.

Once you do this, you will be able to setup WPA on your computers
and devices.

On Fri, 18 Jan 2008 03:49:40 -0600, GSi-R
<GSi-R.33dm61@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net> wrote:
--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

Many thanks for your quick response, I will try this, and then get back to you, and let you know how I got on.

Thanks again.

Ok, I have gone to the above link on my XP machine, and installed the XP Hotfix successfully.

The question now is, how do I log into my router.? I cannot find it anywhere in my connections.

I have not reboot my xp machine since instal, so not sure i should need to do this to activate the hotfix?

I hope i don't lose my wireless connection upon doing so however.

Thanks again.

GSi-R wrote:I hope that Barb doesn't mind if I pop in. You need to configure your
router with a computer attached to it via an ethernet cable, not from a
wireless connection. Here is general information about setting up your
router:

Have a computer connected to the router with an ethernet cable. Examples
given are for a Linksys router. Refer to your router manual or the
router mftr.'s website for default settings if you don't have a Linksys.
Open a browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox and in the
addressbar type:

http://192.168.1.1 [enter] (this is the router's default IP address,
which varies from router to router so check your manual)

This will bring you to router's login screen. The default username is
left blank and the Linksys default password is "admin" without the
quotes. Enter that information. You are now in the router's
configuration utility. Your configuration utility may differ slightly
from mine.

Click on the Administration link at the top of the page. Enter your new
password. WRITE IT DOWN SOMEWHERE YOU WILL NOT LOSE IT. Re-enter the
password to confirm it and click the Save Settings button at the bottom
of the page. The router will restart and present you with the login box
again. Leave the username blank and put in your new password to get back
into the configuration utility.

Now click on the Wireless link at the top of the page. Change the
Wireless Network Name (SSID) from the default to something you will
recognize. I suggest that my clients not use their family name as the
SSID. For example, you might wish to name your wireless network
"CastleAnthrax" or the like. ;-)

Click the Save Settings and when you get the prompt that your changes
were successful, click on the Wireless Security link which is right next
to the Basic Wireless Settings link (where you changed your SSID). If
you have a newish computer, you will be able to set the Security Mode to
WPA2-Personal. Do that and enter a passphrase. The passphrase is what
you will enter on any computers that are allowed to connect to the
wireless network. WRITE IT DOWN SOMEWHERE YOU WILL NOT LOSE IT.

At this point, your router is configured and if the computer you were
using to configure the router is normally going to connect wirelessly,
disconnect the ethernet cable and the computer's wireless feature should
see your new network. Enter the passphrase you created to join the
network and start surfing.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Thanks ever so much.! I will do this, step by step when i get a minute, and let you know how i get on.

Fingers crossed, and many thanks once more.

regards

Micky

PS - I have a linksys router, but I don't have, either the software for it, or an instruction manual, so I will check the Linksys website.

Ok, i have downloaded the manuals for the router, which is the BEFW11S4 model.

I now need the setup wizard, which should of come with the router, but i have contacted my family member who gave me the router, but she said she don't know where it is, and said I might be able to download it, however, I have done a search, but to no avail.

Can anyone help me any further please.?

Kindest regards

Micky

GSi-R wrote:You don't need the Linksys software. Just follow the instructions I gave
you for setting up the router manually.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Ok, working through it slowly, and making progress.

Thanks again.!

Appreciated.

Just a quick update...

Everything is now secure, and working perfectly.

Thank you ever so much for both your time, and patients for helping me secure my Home Network. I have bookmarked these forums, and will recommend them to my friends and Family.

Kindest regards

Micky