Router that uses coaxial cable?

[l69norm]

I know it is hard to quantify but just how secure is the typical current technology wireless router?

The security issue is a bit of a red hering.

Most wireless security issues are about people who set up LANs with no security turned on. There are so many of these, there no point in breaking into an encrypted LAN because it's a mouse click to pick another one that has no security.

The original wireless encryption technology (WEP) had a problem and gained a bad reputation. The encryption keys did not roll randomly and it was possible to predict the next key by watching enough traffic (about 4 million packets !!). It's still not easy to do on a home network that doesn't get much traffic.

It was replaced years ago by WPA. As long as you use a reasonable WPA password, it's very tough to break. Essentially, a hacker sends a dictionary of possible passwords to try to guess the right one by brute force. It's good enough for most corporate networks. There's also a new WPA2 standard that is almost impossible to break.

 

[club69]

i use WPA on my NetGear wireless g router, and also i use MAC address filter, so only my laptop wireless card can get into my network, you might want to try that too.

 

[thewheelman]

Wireless security is fairly good..IF you apply ALL the security features that come with the wireless router. Unfortunately, all these features come disabled, when you get a new router

Here's a basic security list to follow;

#1. Create a password for the configuration page. Confirm that it has been applied. Amazing how many forget this step.
#2. Create a unique SSID (this is a broadcasted name to identify your network from the neighbors that may be in range) NOTE: You will want to disable this broadcast once your wireless computers are connecting to your router correctly. No point in telling everyone nearby that you have a wireless network.
#3. Select WPA Pre-Shared Key for your wireless security (encryption).
#4. Turn on the MAC address access filter and enter the MAC addresses of your remote PC's, so only these PC's can access the network. (You can get the MAC address by running "ipconfig" in a CMD box.)

 

[spheroyds]

Wheelman correct...

I know it is hard to quantify but just how secure is the typical current technology wireless router?

I have a Linksys Wireless G sitting here that I am afraid to hook up for fear that neghbours will figure out a way to use my connection, or worse... look at my dirty pictures!

Wireless B was far less secure than WPA in Wireless G.

Here is an article that shows how the FBI did it with some additional recommendations including Wireless G WPA features.

http://www.informationweek.com/mana...UNN2JVN?articleID=160502612&pgno=2&queryText=

 

[spheroyds]

Isp

Wireless B was far less secure than WPA in Wireless G.

Here is an article that shows how the FBI did it with some additional recommendations including Wireless G WPA features.

http://www.informationweek.com/mana...UNN2JVN?articleID=160502612&pgno=2&queryText=

Of course, you have far more to fear from your ISP volunteering logs to the US or local police than you do from your neighbours

 

[duqe]

You could get a PlugLink 9650 that use your house wiring.
http://www.asokausa.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=62

 

[l69norm]

...Wireless B was far less secure than WPA in Wireless G...

What you really mean is that WEP is far less secure than WPA.

Very old 802.11b devices can only do WEP and not WPA.

Newer 802.11b devices can do both WEP and WPA.

Cheapy wireless routers are only $20 so there's no reason to use an old WEP only device.

Any new model router can do WPA2 which is an upgrade to WPA and is pretty much unbreakable.

802.11b is the the same as 802.11g from a wireless stand point, you can run WEP, WPA or WPA2 on both

That being said, a strong WEP key is harder to break than a weak WPA key