Advice needed

[gaebsbusch]

What is the best set up as far as network security goes for two wireless LINKSYS APs about 15 feet apart? I also have a firewall involved. Any advice is appreciated.

[Maagic]

128 bit WEP... barring that, 64 bit WEP... barring THAT, a big dude with a shotgun :)

[ECGriffith]

He's right, setting up WEP is all you can do for home wireless protection at this point, that is protection from Wireless snoops. We're a ways away from hoping keys and authentication for home and small business WLANs at the moment.

But don't forget to make sure your Internet connection is protected. A router with MAC filtering and a NAT firewall is the way to start, and a personal firewall software product on each PC is a must.

[ieee802dot11]

The biggest security Myth, is that 128-bit WEP is more secure than 64-bit WEP.

When a hacker is bent on breaking into your network, using some methods it takes him the same time to break a 128-bit network as it takes for the 64-bit network.

So neither WEP is secure.

I am not sure if LinkSys released a version of TKIP(Temporal Key integrity protocol) or other patches to WEP, but using the patches to WEP makes your network significantly more secure. So if you are really worried about security use the patches to WEP.

S.

[wmw1490]

1. Don't broadcast SSID and of course change SSID from default value, consider periodic SSID change
2. Enable WEP, change keys often (within reason)
3. Turn DHCP off, use static IPs for most secure WLAN to prevent someone from getting in, getting an IP and you know the rest.
4. MAC filter only allow known MAC
5. Consider protocol filtering
6. Keep a personal firewall on the inside to detect any activity
7. Encrypt your sensitive files, use 3rd party product, not Win encryption
8. Pray