ADSL Modem + Router - Suggestions....

Defenestration · Mar 22, 2006

I'm looking to switch from using a USB modem (that came free when I first moved to ADSL) for connecting to the Internet, to an ADSL modem and router combination. I don't want to spend a fortune and was thinking of getting a Netgear DG834G 54Mbps Wireless ADSL Modem Firewall Router with 4-port 10/100 switch, coupled with a Netgear WG111 Wireless 54Mbps USB 2.0 Adapter .

Is this modem/router and adapter any good ?

Is it possible to completely disable the wireless part of it for security reasons, and just use it in a wired configuration (ie. connecting to it using ethernet cable) ?

I'm a novice when it comes to using routers (in both wired and wireless forms), so what are the main points I need to know for running it safely (ie. so no-one can hack into my machine or hack into my wireless connection) ?

According to someone on Amazon, you need to "limit the computers that could talk to it via their MAC addresses and setting up 128 bit WEP encryption)". Anything else I need to do ?

SSK · Mar 22, 2006

Im no expert either, but I'm reading up on Wireless to advise my dad

AFAIK WEP is not very secure, WPA is the safer choice. MAC filtering seems to be easily "hacked" as well.

About disabeling the Wireless and just go with the Ethernet part: maybe it's cheaper to buy a simple wired Router with firewall and NAT router?

<DreamCatcher> · Mar 22, 2006

hi,Defenestration

Its a very good Router and is fairly easy to setup and secure with the instructions. Yes you can disable the wireless part of the router if you want to and it is a good idea to change the default user name and password.
These links may help>

http://www.adslguide.org.uk/hardware/reviews/2004/q3/netgear-dg834g.asp

How to Secure Your Wireless Home Network with Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/bowman_05february10.mspx

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/support/wireless_secure.htm

Alphalutra1 · Mar 23, 2006

In order to properly secure your wireless network, follow this guide I wrote to help someone a little while ago at castlecops...

MAC address filtering does basically nothing for security. A hacker can easily monitor your network and see what one of your pc's MAC address is. The hacker then can change his MAC address to one of your pc's MAC address, then he's in. THis presents a real problem for the security of your network and your pc's. The hacker may also perform illegal activities from your network connection and only you will be responsible for these activites. So quite obviously, we need to secure your network.

First, upgrade your router's firmware. This will insure that your router is fully up to date and will have the most amount of features. It will also improve any security holes in the router.

Second, enable your SSID broadcast. Not broadcasting it will only hinder your devices trying to connect to your network. Any hacker can easily figure out a SSID hidden or not.

Third, disable MAC Filtering. This will only become a pain when new pc's and devices are used on your network and offers nothing for security.

Fourth, enable the maximum encryption bit that your router offers AND all of your devices are compatible with. If this is WPA2, then you are one happy camper. However, here is the order of encryption bits from the least diserable to the most: WEP 64 bit, WEP 128 bit, WPA-PSK, WPA-AES,WPA2. However, WPA-PSK onwards are not able to be broken as long as a strong Key is applied(64(or is it 63?) RANDOM characters). The advantage of WPA-AES which is not a standard is that the encryption is hardware base so almost no slow time is shown between pc's. WPA2 of course is the new standard and no doubt the strongest. It also utilizes the technology in WPA-AES.

Fifth, change your wireless network channel to 1 or 11. This will help minimize interference from other wireless networks which usually only utilize channel 6. This does not improve security, but it does improve speed.

Sixth, ensure all of the pc's on the network have a software firewall. Even though your router is a hardware firewall, if one of your pc's bring in a worm, it is very possible that it will infect the other pc's on your network.

Seventh, enjoy your network
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Alphalutra1

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