How to go wireless? - NEEDS COMPLETING

Tom · #1 06-15-2007, 04:03 PM

As time goes on more and more new gadgets and devices take advantage of Wi-Fi Wireless Internet. There are many public places where you can go to use Wi-Fi. These are called Wi-Fi/Wireless Hotspots. When using a hotspot you usually need to pay in advance, this can be fairly costly.

It is also possible (and fairly easy) to distribute wireless broadband Internet around your home or office at no extra monthly charge from your Broadband supplier*. A big advantage of Wi-Fi is Wireless Networking. If you have your than one computer connected to the Wireless Router, you effectively have a 'Network'. Wireless Networking is advantageous as it allows you to transfer files such as photos, music and work from one computer to another in seconds, simply by using "Drag & drop" from either computer.

The easiest way to go wireless is to purchase a Wireless Modem Router, which retail at around £40 - £120. These can be purchased from many shops, and some Broadband providers give/lend them when you order broadband from them. When purchasing this you must make sure you are buying the correct type of Modem Router. If you have ADSL broadband you will need an ADSL modem router, if you have Cable broadband you will a DSL/Cable modem router. If you are unsure which type of broadband internet you have, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP)

You may also notice that different routers have different data transfer speeds. To date five different versions of Wi-Fi have been introduced. Ranging from the older 802.11 (Also known as 802.11 Legacy), to the newer 802.11n, which is due to hit the shelves late 2008. The most common type available at the moment 802.11g, which operates at up to 54 megabits per second. This is not your Internet speed, this is the maximum speed that your router can transfer data at. Your Internet speed is determined by your ISP.

Each computer that you want to 'pick up' wireless broadband Internet will need some form of Wireless device, which include:
• PCMCIA WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) Card (Most Laptops)
• PCI WLAN Card (Desktop Computers)
• USB Wi-Fi Dongle (Laptops or Desktop Computers)
These vary in price. I would recommend avoiding purchasing a USB dongle if possible since USB is unreliable for long-term data transfer. When you get a wireless device you need to make sure it is compatible with the Wireless Router you have. For best results an 802.11g router should be used with other 802.11g hardware, and so on.
When your router is set up it is very important to secure it! There are several ways to do this. The easiest way is to add some form of password or “Encryption”. You can add “WEP”, “TKIP” or “WPA” encryption by logging in to your router control panel.

* Excludes AOL.

JenniP · #2 07-08-2007, 10:31 PM

I know you say it needs completing, but thought I would raise the security risks of a WEP "protected" access point.

But WEP is secure I hear you say? Well it isnt, with the right tools and they arent hard to get you can crack the average WEP encryption within 5 minutes so pretty much isnt much more use than leaving it unprotected in the first place.

Jen

kheyanne · #3 07-10-2007, 02:02 AM

If you are concerned about wireless security, WPA is the better option. It is an improvement of the WEP encryption protocol and currently, only WinXp is compatible with it. A lot of routers are already working with it, though.

saubryn · #4 07-10-2007, 02:48 PM

If your router supports it, make it so that only your hardwares MAC address can connect as well - granted, MAC addresses can be faked, but it's still an extra layer of protection that will deter a lot of casual would-be-connectors.

bearhug · #5 07-11-2007, 08:34 PM

The formats are getting updated with the passing time and with the coming of Trusted Computing Platform in the coming time, such problems will become the thing of the past.
The concept is that any connection will be made on the basis of your network identity plus your machine identity, which cannot possibly be faked.
I am waiting for it.

ceprateek · #6 07-31-2007, 03:30 AM

Old router do not support WPA but they all support wep. And also you can go for firmware update if you need WPA.

attagirl · #7 08-02-2007, 07:34 PM

As with any piece of computer equipment when the proper security measures are taken you have nothing to worry about, even when people have access to tools that does not mean they will be used. If someone wanted to get in they can find a back door and get in no matter how well secured you think you might be.

scorpiox · #8 08-02-2007, 07:50 PM

In theory, but newer stuff makes it pretty difficult. They would have to have prodigial knowledge of how the system works to crack wireless stuff like WPA, which, to my knowledge, has never been broken before.

ceprateek · #9 08-03-2007, 03:21 AM

And yes but WEP is also pretty secure and also in this list bluetooth is missing. As there are bluetooth networks in existence now.