OK, you’ve been good, and secured your wireless network. If you haven’t (and I can’t imagine the why of that), then please… please do so
immediately. You can get a good guide here. This is of paramount importance to your identity because illegal and costly activities can be perpetrated on "your" network. The last thing you need is Homeland Security knocking on your door, telling you about "kiddy stuff and piracy" you've allegedly been engaged in.
If you're unsecured, download and run the utility and print a report. You might need it. Then, secure your network! WPA/2 is recommended if supported by your router. If not, then there are ways to flash your router (you might 'brick' it - be careful and read up on it) to install software to allow WPA/2, but that's a subject for another article. Read about DD-WRT here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation . Read that article well!
OK, now you’ve secured your network and you wish to check up if you’ve done well. How do you do that?
Neil Sofer, aka NirSoft has provided yet another free (and freely distributable, if unaltered) tool: Wireless Network Watcher v1.10.
“Wireless Network Watcher is a small utility that scans your wireless network and displays the list of all computers and devices that are currently connected to your network. For every computer or device that is connected to your network, the following information is displayed: IP address, MAC address, the company that manufactured the network card, and optionally the computer name. You can also export the connected devices list into html/xml/csv/text file, or copy the list to the clipboard and then paste into Excel or other spreadsheet application.” – NirSoft
It scans only the network you’re connected to: It cannot scan other networks.
System requirements:
You should take a look at all the utilities Mr. Sofer has created. They are all small, and free. Look for them here: http://www.nirsoft.net/ and bookmark this site!
You might be a nice guy, just trying to help people out.
In that case you should give your network a name that includes the word "Public" or "Public Access" and you should use a router firmware or a firewall machine that asks people to agree to a code of conduct before using your network.
Of course, this doesn't guarantee they won't be doing nefarious deeds but it shows that you at least made an effort.
Just to add to that NEVER NEVER flash your router with a firmware IF it does not fix security vulnerability'(s) it's just not worth Bricking your Router for added features that do not fix security vulnerability'(s)
just me 2 cent thought on flashing your router
I think you have some typos in your article. It should be WPA/2, not WEP/2. Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP) is the easily hacked one (and there is no version 2). Wireless Protected Access (WPA) has a version 1 and 2.
Thanks for the tool! I will use it daily!
Umm Doc don't you mean WPA2?
WEP in all of its iterations has been antiquated and completely useless for many years now. For instance I can crack a "WEP-secured" network in litereally seconds. Attempting to crack a WPA-secured network however could take months if not years (depending on the type of key used, the beacon broadcasting setup etc. etc.)
Also, Wireless watcher and programs like it will only give you that much info if the "offending" systems are set up correctly. In other words systems with netbios disabled and employing other spoofing tactics might even show up on that list as a partial duplicate of your own system. The guys that know what they're doing will find it easy to hide from such programs, and in my experience those are really the only people who are any danger to your network in the first place.
EDIT: Damn, right behind you Dr. Guy......hehe. FYI WPA can also be hacked (certainly not as easily/quickly as WEP but it's really only WPA2 which is considered secure at all these days).
another FYI....
One of my sons had a $60 (el cheapo) linksys router which he insisted flashing with DD-WRT. Later when he wanted to go back to a factory (linksys) firmware eventhough it looked like the factory-flash took there was always something left behind in the flash memory by DD-WRT so the factory flash never worked right again. He was stuck with DD-WRT on that router. Like I said just an FYI (usually if you stick with factory flash sets you can go forward and back with no issues).
In my opinion, the best option is to pay between $300-$500 and get an entry-level small/medium business network router. They come with better network management built-in, have intrusion detection software rules (which can be updated) and have procs and memory actually capable of handling some "preventative security" measures.
Few thing I notice in this thread:
WPA2 is easily cracked, take a look at WPA2 GFX cracking.
Flashing to a DD-WRT firmware is something you do want to do, it will add a ton more options for securing and monitoring your network, remember flashing your firmware will ANY FIRMWARE UPDATE will run the risk of bricking your device, same thing as flashing a bios/efi anyone that says different is just wrong, keeping in mind QC with regards to the developer. I have flashed back and forth between router firmware custom and stock with no ill effects many times but I do know and realize the risks, for me it is worth it, I mean it is a cheapo router. It happens.Google Flashing Firmware.
Recommending a 300-500 router for home use is ludicrous, I understand what you are trying to say but stop and think most ppl spend from 300-1000 on a home system, do they need a router like that? No overkill, plus TBH do you think the average user will know how and use the features that they are spending the extra money on? IMO doubtful.
Good read for those that need it though really, since most ppl have no idea whom is on their networks. Secured or otherwise.
My clicker is faster!
Re: WPA vs WPA2 - And yes, that is why they came out with the stronger encryption (AES256). I did not mean to imply WPA was unhackable (technically nothing is, it is just a matter of time - WPA is relatively short, and WPA2 takes longer than a life time - so far).
My typo. Meant WPA/2.
Flashing - only after software update, and is irreversible. Should ONLY be done if WPA/2 is NOT available after the software update.
...and the proc/mem on that router can actually make good use of those "added features"? I mean when someone enables "SPI" or uses ALG-checking etc. you do realize that if the router doesn't have the proc and/or memory those "features" end up being largely useless since the router isn't powerful enough to actually perform said features/.
So you suggest users should upgrade to DD-WRT because of a "ton more options for securing and monitoring your network" yet suggest that getting a device that is actually capable of doing so is ludicrous? I've spent the better part of my adult life configuring networks/routers etc. I am well aware of the "features" many cheap routers offer. That doesn't mean they are actually capable of performing same to any real degree. Just saying....
Probably a good recommendation in theory and for those who can afford it, but also probably out of reach for most folks...
I spent "300-500" on a PSU.
I spent "300-500" on a UPS.
I spent "300-500" on a monitor.
I spent "300-500" on a GPU.
I spent "300-500" on a CPU.
There's a trend...none of which is "ludicrous"....
Agreed IF there is a need, does the average userall this? No the average user surfs the net , reads FB and emails, does some light gaming and utube or streaming, these are the facts. Sure there are user that use more or less but on average.
do you need a 500 PSU? No you dont. And personally I would love to see some specs and reviews on a500 bones PSU.
Do you NEED a 500 dollar UPS? No There are plenty of decient APC for a avarage home system runs half that at best.
Do you NEED a 500 monitor? Again while it is nice No you do not need to spend 500 on a monitor
Do you NEED to spend 500 on a GPU? Again no since we are taling avarage I feel pretty safe to say most ppl do not spend 500 on a GFX card.
Do you NEED to spend 500 on a CPU? Again no
Personally I feel this thread was for the average user, not what some would call a power user, ect, ect but for average users, do average users need all this? Again NO, Does the average user need a 500 router? Again No, you dont try and sell a Sports car to a family of 5, you sell them something they can use that isnt going to break the bank.
And TBH I break almost all your criteria Jafo so I have no problem with spending cash on a system, just that most wont or will have no need.
It's for everyone, Supergroverohp. There are more 'average' folks than 'power users', but then that's true on any non specialized Forum... watch out when it comes to skinning, though. I can and do learn from everyone (and please pardon the typos), some like to 'show off', and others are quite modest about what they know or think they know... but all are welcome, and so are you. BTW, that's a mighty nice rig you've got there.
Grr the internet written word does not always convey what you are trying to say....
I was not in a anyway implying anything about the forum just those that would benefit the most out of this thread/app/discussion.
The posting of my rig was not for validation DR but merely to convey that I personally dont have a problem with spending that amount of money on a computer but that MOST ppl will not. Just as for MOST pl a 500 router is not the thing for them, it doesnt mean they dont they do but thats why they are targeting business and enterprise not home users.
I don't remember saying that everyone should have a $500 router. I do remember suggesting that spending between $300-$500 on a router was (in my opinion) better than mucking around with software/firmware which "the avererage user" (to quote you) wouldn't really understand anyway whereas the $300 - $500 router would do a lot of that "protecting" without even so much as user understanding nevermind intervention as well as actually being capable (the hardware) of doing the job of preventative measure security. That is my job afterall.....
I personally think that's a little overkill - there are some good routers in the $100-$200 range that are good for inexperienced folks (imo anyway), but I am curious, what routers in $300-$500 price range would you recommend? And why? You certainly have more experience than me. Thanks!
Do you NEED a computer? No.
BTW...prices were '300-500', not '500' ...and they were AUD pre-flop of the USD......currently it's 110% the OTHER way round now.
I'm glad I'm not average, however.
@Pacov
Quick example? D-Link DSR-500N (around $300) and is one hell of a robust entry-level router/firewall for any small business. Why would I buy it? Because its hardware is actually capable of leveraging some of those "security features" talked about earlier in this thread (it can use intrusion detection definitions which can be automatically updated),its hardware won't be overwhelmed by having to deal with inspecting multiple concurrent connections, its various security features can be tailored to a specific use and not only on or off, it has multiple WAN ports so you can load-balance it or have WAN failover (say you're like me and have connections to 2 ISP's because you don't trust the 99.99% uptime with either) and it's not too complex to be configured by the average joe. Perfect for the average joe in fact!
@Everyone
What I never understood is that people figure on spending around $500-$1000 bucks on a computer that will eventually hold all of their family photos, all of their personal correspondence, be the connection-point to all of their online financial dealings and yet spending between $300-$500 bucks to help protect all of that? Hell no! bullocks! Seriously........if people want to use the el cheapo $60 Best Buy sale deal-o-rama to protect their networks so be it. I'm just telling it how it is....
Why would anyone need to spend such large amounts on a router? Mine was $40 bucks and has all the features I need and good security. I don't even think I have seen a router over $100 at my local store.
Price has nothing to do with how good the router security is.
Sigh.......
Since a router is also just a very basic computer running some software why spend more than $40 on your actual home computer? To say "price has nothing to do with how good the router security is" is so flagrantly ignorant on the subject of routers and security I don't really know what else to say that I haven't already said previously in this thread.
Cost most certainly impacts the type/quality of hardware in your home computer as it does the hardware used in a router (the hardware which is used to run its security software).
Therefore cost most certainly impacts how well (if at all) your home computer or in this example a router can perform its duties.
I cannot give more explanation as to why I've made the suggestions I've made than I've already posted in previous replies to this thread.
Good find!! I'm all over this! Thanks Doc!
Let's see, my closest neighbor is a mile away and between the gate and the dogs, you can't get within a half mile of my house...do you think I need to secure my wireless?
Wrong. A $40 dollar router can have the exact same software as a $300 dollar router.
So? Next you're going to tell me that that $40 router can also use that software in the same way and to the same effectiveness as the $300 router. Really......I think you might also want to go buy some farmland near Chernobyl with that kind of logic.
You keep missing the point. While you may be able to get a $40 router to accept the same software a more robust router comes with, you will not ever get that $40 router to actually use that software properly and to the same capacity to which the $300 router is designed to operate it at. Meaning, you may be in fact handicapping your $40 router as it will start dropping packets, or just passing packets through anyway because the shitty hardware in it can't actually DO what you are telling it you want it to do. How can you not be understanding what I'm trying to tell you?!?
cause you can't get a home PC for $40.00 but you can get a $40.00 router
My $60.00 + router works just fine and It's is secured with Password, and WPA/2 enabled and, Hidden well the best it can..
My cheap off the shelf $700.00 Gateway DX4831 2.93 x2 Dual Core with a $99.00 Graphic Cards NVIDIA GeForce GT220 with Physic/3D 1GB RAM works.
I can Play all the New games, Well I one I bought so far
So I my self don't see why to Pay BIG $$$
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
Sign in or Create Account
