Author Topic: unintentional wireless, using ethernet (Read 3424 times)

jcarter · « **on:** January 26, 2009, 12:47:13 PM »

My old router kicked, so I got a new Netgear one. I dont use wireless, so I just plugged in all our ethernet cables. Works fine.
But our daughter(with her new MSI 'Wind' tiny three pound notebook), said our whole house is wireless now.
I had not a clue, but it works great she said. None of our Macs are set up for wireless though.

My question is, is there any danger of people using our internet connection?
We dont have any close neighbours, the closest house is at least 150 yards away, and they are not computer people. And the roads are just back roads. I dont know how far wireless extends from my router?
Anything I should be aware of?
Thanks,
Jane

gunug · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2009, 01:09:21 PM »

I'm probably overly cautious but I would turn off the wireless features if possible.

jcarter · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2009, 01:48:58 PM »

I tried to, but have no clue how, as its a wireless router. They didnt have any old just plain ethernet routers for sale.
Jane
Though the kids when they are here will use it.

jcarter · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2009, 02:11:09 PM »

I forgot to mention that this is the little notebook that our daughter took on their trip to Singapore, it was so small and lightweight, it stored all their pictures(including the ones our grandkids took), uploaded to their picture blog daily, and did everything else that could be wanted. She was so pleased with it, and less than $300.
Here is a picture of the model they bought for the trip. Its an MSI.

Jane

RHPConsult · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2009, 02:25:54 PM »

When "the kids" are around with their "Books", have them go outside just to see how far the network can be detected art that moment. Just out of curiosity.

150 yards is a considerable distance, unless the Bulgarian Mafai is parked out in the street.

Probably safer to also establish as password for your network. It is a real convenience to have a network available.

Most of us are working on how to be sure we have fast/reliable coverage throughout the house/property.

I haven't a clue how to change settings, but I think I know where. When I had a Netgear router/switch a few years ago (on the advice of my eldest, sad to report, a Windoze-person) one had to go into Netgear's website to set/re-set it. That was far more difficult than with either of the Apple Extremes I later purchased.

My nearest neighbor is a lot closer than 150 yards and I regularly "see" his home network in my System /Network Prefs. For a short time over the weekend, I momentarily was getting the wireless of a Westin hotel down near SFO - at least 2 miles distant, as the butter flies.

That was quite a surprise.

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2009, 02:47:22 PM »

You don't have to turn the wirless off but it should definitely be secured with a password and the best system available on the router (WPA/WPA2). Since that "Wind" is probably running Windows, it is wide open to malware off the interweb.

The router must have had a booklet with it that explains how to set it up.

You may simply need a browser and the address of the router. Try entering "10.0.0.1" in the place you normally enter a URL in your browser.

The booklet should also tell you what any default password is. Even if you don't change the security settings, change that password immediately, if not sooner! Until you do, the router is wide open for anyone within range to access it and even change the password so you won't be able to. If that did happen, usually a 'hard reset' will restore things to their default settings (should be a button somewhere or maybe just a hole to stick a paper clip in to press an internal button). Do that now. And make sure you remember the password. Heck, if you aren't too worried about some one getting physical access to the router (as in breaking and entering) just write the password on the bottom of the router!

jcarter · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2009, 03:06:53 PM »

Gee, I better add a password now! But I have to find the booklet first, that might be difficult around here.
If the range could be 2 miles as RHP found with a hotel wireless, it might not be good. Would a little router like this netgear one have that strong a signal?
I better get finding that instruction book.
Jane

RHPConsult · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2009, 03:24:33 PM »

That was only momentarily, Jane. I was picking it up. I doubt "they" were getting me.

The more likely anomaly is that your microwave/hi-tech furnace/etc will attenuate your coverage in your house.

jcarter · « **Reply #8 on:** January 26, 2009, 03:28:39 PM »

Got the 172 page manual online, plowing thru it, but Ive not found anything about a password yet.
No, it just says that the security is excellent, the firewall is there.
http://kbserver.netgear.com/pdf/wgr615v_ma...swer_id=3021531
Good heavens,
http://tinyurl.com/c6gn7o
Jane

Highmac · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:31:37 PM »

Hi Jane

We have a Netgear (DG834G) and I think they all use the same initial access procedure. In your browser (Firefox, Safari?) type 192.168.0.1 (no www. or .com or anything else) in the address bar and hit Return. A window should pop up asking for username and password. Generally, the factory default is (and was on ours) User: Admin, Password: Password.

That should open the main Netgear window in your browser. On the left-hand side you should see a menu. Under Maintenance, see Set Password (see pic) and use that to change your password.

If you only change that first password (NOT the one for your ISP) at least that will provide some very basic security against any casual attempt to connect until you can carry out more detailed security work with the help of the good folks here. I'm off to bed shortly but our friends over there will be around for a while longer yet

dolphin · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:32:35 PM »

QUOTE(jcarter @ Jan 26 2009, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Got the 172 page manual online, plowing thru it, but Ive not found anything about a password yet.
No, it just says that the security is excellent, the firewall is there.
http://kbserver.netgear.com/pdf/wgr615v_ma...swer_id=3021531
Good heavens,
http://tinyurl.com/c6gn7o
Jane

Jane, type in www.routerlogin.net this will open the router login screen. It will ask you for a user name and password. The default is admin and password. Once in you will see many things on the left hand side. Under Setup click on Wireless Settings....here you will have to give you network a name. About midway down on the screen you will see Security Options. The list goes from NONE to WEP to WPA (3 types).
WPA is the most secure (as XABD mentioned). Choose one and follow on screen instructions or click on HELP.

Hope this helps.
Roy

jcarter · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:44:26 PM »

Hi Everybody,
Thanks for the help, the manual was about as useful to me as if it was written in Chinese.
So I will get to this after dinner, when I have time to go over your instructions. Since the thing is working for both ethernet and wireless, I dont want to mess it up.
Jane

Jack W · « **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2009, 07:28:40 PM »

Jane,

If you open the manual in Acrobat Reader, you can do a search on key words.

Just do a Command-f. This will bring up a search phrase window.

Enter password. Then hit the find button. This will find the next occurence of password. And so on.

You can do this with any Acrobat file.

HTH, Jack

jcarter · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2009, 08:11:13 PM »

Hi Jack,
I closed that manual, dont have time to deal with that, and we have no close neighbours anyway.
So I am going to follow some of the directions tomorrow here, and if I can figure it out, great, if I cant, Im not going to worry.
I will just stick some aluminum foil over the antenna until the kids are here.
Jane

Paddy · « **Reply #14 on:** January 26, 2009, 08:14:26 PM »

Jane, as Neil mentioned, the browser-based setup and management is found at 192.168.0.1. It's usually a lot more self-explanatory than anything in that manual!!! It's certainly NOT the best manual I've ever seen (not sure if it's the worst, but it comes darn close!)

Basically you need to do one of two things:

1. Give your wireless network a password to keep people out. WPA is probably the best choice. Make it something you can remember but doesn't make any sense to anyone else (and certainly nothing to do with your physical address or name!
2. Turn the wireless off for now - you can always turn it back on if you need it.

If your daughter and others with laptops are regular visitors, then #1 may appeal. Otherwise, I'd just turn it off if you don't need it.

If you decide to leave it on, you may also want to consider turning off "broadcasting" - ie: you can only find it if you actually HAVE the name of the router and the password. That way, your network isn't even seen, so those who might try to breach the security won't know it's there. Probably not really an issue where you are, but it is an extra layer of security.

There are those who like to cruise around finding open networks for fun - doesn't sound like your neighborhood is a likely destination, but you never know! My next door neighbor was running an open network for over a year - I'm not sure if she's finally secured it or just has it unplugged or something as it's not showing up right now. I DID suggest that they secure it, but that was about 6 months ago. Not too bright, in a big city where half the neighborhood could hop on and use up your bandwidth.

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Author Topic: unintentional wireless, using ethernet (Read 3424 times)