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BrianG · 01:11 PM

I tried to place my WAP where I could get decent access speed (at least as high as my Net connection supports, so ~1Gb/sec) with the least amount of range outside the house. So, it sits in my basement pretty much dead center of the house. Range extends a little beyong the short dimension of the house, but only ~20 feet. I also had to fiddle with the antennas to help keep the usable range in the house as much as possible. This means the antennas are sitting horizontally so more of the range goes "up" than "outwards". All I have to do now is keep potential hackers out of my attic and off my roof.

Then, to keep people honest, I enable WEP and use MAC address filtering. Both of these can be hacked through, but that won't be your typical weekend surfer, but usually someone who is trying to do something malicious. The only downside to MAC address filtering is having to log into your WAP, viewing the list of in-range devices, and allowing applicabale devices.

The first thing EVERYONE should do is change the default password on their router. It's amazing how many people don't do this. Then, there are guides out there (or even the CS for your router/WAP) that explain how to make your network more secure.

Next, EVERY computer should be running antivirus software and spyware/adware software, and each should be actively running (not running only when the user decides to do so). Then, everyone should run a decent firewall. The one that comes with WinXP works, but barely. A better one should be used IMO. These three items are bare minimum IMO to help keep crap off your computer.

And for you MAC/Linux fanboys: Yeah, you don't have to worry about some of this... for now. It's only a matter of time your OS is targeted as much as Win OS's are.

	(#13)
BrianG RC-Monster Admin Offline Posts: 14,609 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Des Moines, IA	01.27.2009, 01:10 PM I tried to place my WAP where I could get decent access speed (at least as high as my Net connection supports, so ~1Gb/sec) with the least amount of range outside the house. So, it sits in my basement pretty much dead center of the house. Range extends a little beyong the short dimension of the house, but only ~20 feet. I also had to fiddle with the antennas to help keep the usable range in the house as much as possible. This means the antennas are sitting horizontally so more of the range goes "up" than "outwards". All I have to do now is keep potential hackers out of my attic and off my roof. Then, to keep people honest, I enable WEP and use MAC address filtering. Both of these can be hacked through, but that won't be your typical weekend surfer, but usually someone who is trying to do something malicious. The only downside to MAC address filtering is having to log into your WAP, viewing the list of in-range devices, and allowing applicabale devices. The first thing EVERYONE should do is change the default password on their router. It's amazing how many people don't do this. Then, there are guides out there (or even the CS for your router/WAP) that explain how to make your network more secure. Next, EVERY computer should be running antivirus software and spyware/adware software, and each should be actively running (not running only when the user decides to do so). Then, everyone should run a decent firewall. The one that comes with WinXP works, but barely. A better one should be used IMO. These three items are bare minimum IMO to help keep crap off your computer. And for you MAC/Linux fanboys: Yeah, you don't have to worry about some of this... for now. It's only a matter of time your OS is targeted as much as Win OS's are. Last edited by BrianG; 01.27.2009 at 01:11 PM.