Wireless network

[GTA fan]

I have a pc with a wireless network and i recently got a laptop and want to access my network on it, but whenever i was connecting to the wireless network and putting in the wep key it wudnt connect but i knew the wep key and everything else was right. i now discovered that by turning off the firewall on my pc i can now connect the laptop but i was wondering is there some other way i can allow the laptop to access my wireless network without disabling the firewall cause i am worried this will leave my pc prone to viruses etc< any help would be appreciated!

[Primer43]

I think a bigger threat would be having WEP encryption. It's basically useless. Are you sure it's the firewall that is not allowing you to connect?

[Rocketkiller]

What firewall do you use? If it's windows firewall then just leave it off, all it ever does for me is block legitimate apps from getting to the internet. In fact, I wouldn't even use a firewall, they're more trouble than they're worth IMO. But if you still want to use it, use a less secure profile.

[Slamman]

I think a bigger threat would be having WEP encryption. It's basically useless. Are you sure it's the firewall that is not allowing you to connect?

I frown on it becuase too many routers in apartments all have their own WEP security and they tend to clog up the air waves when one is using wireless...

 

In my case, Wifi Hotspotting, so to share a signal, the WEP is USELESS! However, For Firewalls, just use the OS allow/block settings in the security section with the MAC for the unit I believe, you can assign it's particular Address

[Fozzy Fozborne]

@Slam: If you can't get a decent wifi reception, look into wireless A or N. They are both 5 GHz compatible and since almost no one has one, you should get a very good signal.

 

 

[Slamman]

I think I encounted a newer range router not long ago, but I'm not ready to pick one up just yet, I bought a dirt cheap USB thumb Wifi "dongle", and that worked not so well, trying to get the Wifi to my desktops, the one I had prior was a Linksys again and it worked much better, so I am inclined to keep using Linksys brand for now... Although my folks use a competitor and that also works well.

TrendNet maybe the one I'm thinking of offhand.

 

BTW, Fozzy, can you tell me if a PCI card based "antenna" 'adapter' would be much better then a USB attaching one? I am thinking of going that route, as many PCI slots tend to lie vacant often times.

Edited August 19, 2008 by Slamman

[leik oh em jeez!]

DO NOT GET LINKSYS.

Low range, speed booster has negative effects, compatability issues between linksys products...

Just trust me on this. I have a PCI wireless-g adapter, some times, it will just refuse to obtain IP address for 3-14 days.

[Slamman]

I've yet to have any issues, mine is a Wireless-B 2.4Ghz PC card adapter, and I use it ALL the time I can. The one integrated to my Dell D800 was a miniPCI card and that worked terrific as well, so for that, in terms of brands, I believe was an Intel brand Broadcom chipped card.?

 

[Fozzy Fozborne]

Well I've used many Linksys products and never had any issues with them apart from the one wireless B router I got that I tried to fix. I really would avoid the newer WRT54G's, though.

 

Anyway, USB wifi receivers should work fine. The reason why it doesn't work is obvious: it was "dirt cheap". Cheap products are almost always of cheap quality. PCI wireless adapters are usually a bit faster than USB and they're cheaper. If you're looking for a new wifi adapter, look at PCI adapters. I have this Linksys WMP54G card in two computers and in one I built for a friend. It has never given any of the computers any trouble at all.

[Tornado Rex]

I would never suggest getting a USB wifi dongle over a PCI card, especially if you have the know-how to install the PCI card. USB simply wasn't made for networking.

[Slamman]

Yeah, the TrendNet USB Wifi product was on sale at MicroCenter for about $15 with a rebate or something, either way, I still have that and it DOES work, but not too well, mostly can't get a strong enough signal to work with. I think most people CAN attempt PCI card upgrades and installs with success these days.

[Star-Lord]

 

Well I've used many Linksys products and never had any issues with them apart from the one wireless B router I got that I tried to fix. I really would avoid the newer WRT54G's, though.

 

Anyway, USB wifi receivers should work fine. The reason why it doesn't work is obvious: it was "dirt cheap". Cheap products are almost always of cheap quality. PCI wireless adapters are usually a bit faster than USB and they're cheaper. If you're looking for a new wifi adapter, look at PCI adapters. I have this Linksys WMP54G card in two computers and in one I built for a friend. It has never given any of the computers any trouble at all.

Same here Linksys is the only brand I use for all my Networking needs and recommend, and like you, I have nevered had any problems minor or major. Linksys seems to be the more compatible brand on the market everywhere you turn that is what everyone is using, so go figure! They must be doing something right.

As far as the WRT54G Router Ver.4 which I still have running like a charm, never had any problems with it yet.

This router is so flexible their's a lot of open source firmware updates for it to give it signal strength plus add additional features. You could use the WRT54G as a repeater or a bridge. Create a wireless distribution system (WDS) or a mesh network. Run a VPN server. Or a VoIP server. Or a managed hotspot with a RADIUS server. Manage bandwidth use per protocol. Control traffic shaping. Support IPv6. Boost antenna power. Remotely access router logs. Operate the router as a miniature low-power PC, running a variety of Linux applications.

 

These firmware upgrades work with WRT54G Router Ver.4 and below. WRT54G Router Ver.5 and above NO! longer run on Linksys proprietary firmware as previous models. Current Routers run on VxWorks as their default firmware.

 

[Primer43]

I've had tons of problems with Linksys. Maybe I've been unlucky but every router/switch/wireless card I've had with them has dropped signals or completed dropped connection. Two Linksys routers I've owned had to be completely restarted before getting a connection again. I buy D-Link now and love their products. They are solid and stable, and I don't need to update the firmware every six months like Linksys. I definitely suggest third party software for any router you buy though.

[Saggy]

I would never suggest getting a USB wifi dongle over a PCI card, especially if you have the know-how to install the PCI card. USB simply wasn't made for networking.

I have a USB one, and it seems to work just fine. I think the added portability makes it a must have, regardless if you're using it for a desktop. The fact that most laptops have them built-in kind of negates that; but if the drivers for the onboard one are obscure, or you've got and older one, they come in handy. Not to mention to bring over to your friend's house and see what kind of Wifi networks they've got going.

 

 

Also, it doesn't seem like many people here have actually tried cracking WEP. It's trivial, but I think it's even more trivial to see the attack in process and just change the key or something along those lines. It takes a pretty busy network to passively generate the traffic needed, and arp reinjection is about as easy as pie to see if you know what you're doing. It's better than leaving it wide open, but if you have a good enough one you should be able to use WPA.

 

I don't see how leaving it open could possibly be better than using WEP though, trivial as it is to crack, it's still better than wide open.