quick newbie question

[bway116]

Hi,

this is probably a silly question, but I was just wondering...

do same model wireless routers from company x all have the same default IP address?

if yes: when I want to go in to change some settings on my router, the username is the default 'admin' like everyone elses and the default password is blank like everyone elses. And suppose most average people new to setting up wireless connectivity would just leave the login name and password in default setting....does that mean, anyone who comes close to detect my router's signal can just type in the default IP address and easily log on and tweak my settings?? :-0

Thanks so much to anyone who responds.

[masraum]

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes.

For your own security you may want to change all of the defaults.

It also means that if you are a nefarious character that you can run around doing just that, but since it's so simple it would be silly not cool.

[bway116]

Thanks. I changed the password. Now i just hope i'd remember it ;)

What are the chances that somebody could lock me out of my own connection if i had kept the default log-ins...I'll be more careful now.

[WFI-Maestro]

It would take me about 10 seconds to lock you out of your AP (change the admin password) and put mandatory WEP with a key that you don't know. Essentially, I could turn your AP into an expensive paper weight. Always change default admin password, and I'd strongly recommend using at least WEP...otherwise people can sniff your traffic and get things like your POP email username and password.

Mark

[bway116]

Does anyone know or can anyone refer me to a website that has instructions on how to set up WEP?

Yes I'm soooooo new at this...

I've modified the MAC filter to allow only couple of computers to use the wireless connection. Would this be sufficient enough to block other users? 'cuz essentially my motivation was to just stop people from stealing my bandwidth:)

Thanks!