Hello again! I'll have another column on wireless queries soon, as it's been a popular subject! Next I'll be looking at music and laptop queries...
Just fill out the form here and send them in.Please back up your computer before following advice from anyone! When you send your queries in, please give as much information about your set-up as possible!Dear LJ,
I've just set up my wireless network – can you tell me how to make it secure?
Tony, West Midlands
Dear Tony,
Wireless networking is the technical term for surfing the web from a computer that's not physically plugged into the internet. Most modern laptops have built-in wireless networking. At home, you probably have a broadband box providing the internet service, and a wireless router which spreads the signal around your house wirelessly. You may also plug a PC into the back of your router to get wired internet.
To secure your network, you need to configure your wireless router - the box that connects your internet connection to your other computers and broadcasts the wireless signal. If there's no encryption, your network is "unsecured" or public – anyone who can see your network can connect to it.
You don't mention your router's brand, or what version of Windows you're running, so I'll take a guess that you're on Windows XP and have a Linksys Router. If you have another router, like Belkin, this should still be roughly the same procedure.
There are many encryption standards - I would recommend using something like WPA which is much stronger than WEP, but we'll go with WEP encryption as it's generally compatible with more devices, and I'm not sure what's on your network.
Setting up your Wireless Network for more secure access
PART 1: Set up your Router.
Open Internet Explorer then type your router's IP address in to the bar. For Linksys, this is generally 192.168.1.1 (Belkin: generally 192.168.2.1 – for other routers, check your user guide). You might also need to enter a username and password if this is set.
Linksys
Click on Wireless, then just underneath that click on Wireless Security. Set Security Mode to "WEP" in the drop down menu. Make sure the Default Transmit key is set to 1. Type a bunch of letters and numbers in to "passphrase", click on Generate, then you will see 4 different keys appear. Make a note of Key 1. Click on Save Settings then hit Continue.
Belkin
Click on Wireless, then either Encryption, Security or Wireless Super G, Security depending on your router model to get to these settings. You may need to place a tick in the "passphrase" box, but otherwise the procedure should be similar to above.
Your Router should now be configured.PART 2: Set up your Laptop
I'll assume your laptop has wireless capability, runs Windows XP and your wireless is enabled. Get ready for some marathon clicking.
From the Start Menu, click Connect To, then Wireless Network Connection, then View Wireless Networks.
On "Related Tasks" to the left, click Change Advanced Settings, then click the Wireless Networks tab at the top.
On the list of wireless networks under the "preferred networks" section – click on your network's name (linksys) then click Properties. You will then see a section marked Wireless Network Key. Set this to Network Authentication "Open", Data Encryption "WEP", then type the network key from your router's key 1 in the "network key" section.
Make sure the Key index says 1. Click OK twice.
Congratulations – you are now more secure. Any other wireless device on your network will need to run through Part 2, or enter the network key each time they connect to your network.
Added MAC ADDRESS Filtering
If you want to be more protected, I'd also recommend setting up something called a MAC Address Filter on your router.
A MAC address is your computer's personal ID. You can set your router to only give permission to MAC addresses on its list. To find your computer's MAC Address - in Windows XP, click Start, Run, type cmd then Press Enter. Type getmac, and you'll get a Physical Address a bit like 00-69-XX-XX-9E-42. Make a note of this, then type exit to close this window. You'll need to get the MAC address of all devices you want to use your router.
Back in your router's window [see Part 1], for Linksys, click Wireless then Wireless MAC Filter. Make sure that wireless MAC filter is set to "Enable" and "Permit only" then click Edit MAC Filter List – enter the physical address of the computers you want to allow into your network here. Scroll down and click Save Settings and continue. Make sure to add the MAC addresses of all your devices that use your network.
Other routers will have a similar procedure, sometimes called "MAC Address Filter".
Extra link: For more Windows and Wifi fun, I've linked Microsoft's "Frequently Asked Questions" here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/wifi/wififaq.mspxDear LJ,
My Xbox 360 disconnects every few minutes from the internet. Please help.
S Rangwalla, Leicester
Dear S Rangwalla,
As I don't have your full system details, may I suggest that you look at Step 2 of Troubleshooting at the link here for some helpful options: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907711/en-usDear LJ,
I use a Toshiba Laptop Series 1410-303. Can I take it abroad (France & Spain) and access the internet and my e-mails from wifi points?
Keith, Epsom
Dear Keith,
If you can surf the internet wirelessly in Epsom (can you connect to a hotspot in the UK?), then you should be able to do it abroad. It costs handsomely for the convenience of using wifi points –around £6/hour (although I tend to go for the £12 for 24 hours option – I love a bargain).
If you're not yet wirelessly capable, you'll need a Wireless G Notebook Card for your Tosh, which is around £20. If you're a heavy user, then I'd also look at 3G data cards, although these can involve a hefty subscription, and unless you're in a remote location, or you need to be plugged in all the time, you may want to stick with wifi points. Oh, and go here to check out hotspots all over the world before you arrive! http://www.totalhotspots.com/
If you have any gadget and tech enquiries you'd like LJ to answer send them in here.
For Linksys, this is generally 192.168.1.1 (Belkin: generally 192.168.2.1 – for other routers, check your user guide). You might also need to enter a username and password if this is set.
Linksys
Click on Wireless, then just underneath that click on Wireless Security. Set Security Mode to "WEP" in the drop down menu. Make sure the Default Transmit key is set to 1. Type a bunch of letters and numbers in to "passphrase", click on Generate, then you will see 4 different keys appear. Make a note of Key 1. Click on Save Settings then hit Continue.
Belkin
Click on Wireless, then either Encryption, Security or Wireless Super G, Security depending on your router model to get to these settings. You may need to place a tick in the "passphrase" box, but otherwise the procedure should be similar to above.
Your Router should now be configured.
PART 2: Set up your Laptop
I'll assume your laptop has wireless capability, runs Windows XP and your wireless is enabled. Get ready for some marathon clicking.
From the Start Menu, click Connect To, then Wireless Network Connection, then View Wireless Networks.
On "Related Tasks" to the left, click Change Advanced Settings, then click the Wireless Networks tab at the top.
On the list of wireless networks under the "preferred networks" section – click on your network's name (linksys) then click Properties. You will then see a section marked Wireless Network Key. Set this to Network Authentication "Open", Data Encryption "WEP", then type the network key from your router's key 1 in the "network key" section.
Make sure the Key index says 1. Click OK twice.
Congratulations – you are now more secure. Any other wireless device on your network will need to run through Part 2, or enter the network key each time they connect to your network.
Added MAC ADDRESS Filtering
If you want to be more protected, I'd also recommend setting up something called a MAC Address Filter on your router.
A MAC address is your computer's personal ID. You can set your router to only give permission to MAC addresses on its list. To find your computer's MAC Address - in Windows XP, click Start, Run, type cmd then Press Enter. Type getmac, and you'll get a Physical Address a bit like 00-69-XX-XX-9E-42. Make a note of this, then type exit to close this window. You'll need to get the MAC address of all devices you want to use your router.
Back in your router's window [see Part 1], for Linksys, click Wireless then Wireless MAC Filter. Make sure that wireless MAC filter is set to "Enable" and "Permit only" then click Edit MAC Filter List – enter the physical address of the computers you want to allow into your network here. Scroll down and click Save Settings and continue. Make sure to add the MAC addresses of all your devices that use your network.
Other routers will have a similar procedure, sometimes called "MAC Address Filter".
Extra link: For more Windows and Wifi fun, I've linked Microsoft's "Frequently Asked Questions" here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/wifi/wififaq.mspx
