How to prevent people from stealing my wireless connection?

[Dida]

I set up a wireless network at home. Then I realize anyone who has a wireless network card and is within range can simply turn on their PC and go online, using my connection. How to prevent unwanted people from using my bandwidth?

 

[Padma]

Set it up using WEP or WPA - wireless encryption/protection programs. They should be described in your documentation about the router.

 

[Comraddict]

and enable mac filtering. that allows only specified want cards to use access point

 

[sourboy]

Set it up using WEP or WPA - wireless encryption/protection programs. They should be described in your documentation about the router.

This is correct. You can access it in your Wireless settings (just call your internet provider for assistance) and randomly generate an encrypted code that you use as a password to access the wireless internet. Keep in mind, if you reset your modem or lose power to it - this will reset back to defaults - which is no encryption.

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

Keep in mind, if you reset your modem or lose power to it - this will reset back to defaults - which is no encryption.

I haven't ever seen this personally. What type of modem/router are you using?

 

[sourboy]

I run a wireless Linksys router through Comcast.

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

Odd, I run a wireless linksys through cox and it retains its settings. The only thing it does is force us to re-enter our WEP key into our wireless laptops occasionaly, but it hasn't dumped settings, even after being unplugged and replugged.

 

[hbdragon88]

http://bash.org/?202477

Why secure it? Be creative...