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Message |
    
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4195
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 11:48 am: | 
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I've started to see this pop up the last few days? Also, how can I take my desk computer off a wireless router but keep my laptop on it? And how do I pull up the screen to see the wireless connections around me? I left a note in one of my neighbor's mailboxes that the had an 'unsecure' connection, letting him know my computer picked it up; suggesting he might want to change his settings. I want to see if they corrected it or not. Thanks! |
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 2348
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 3:31 pm: |
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have you downloaded and installed an application recently that said it would help you with your network, with gaming, with printing (this would be port magic)?
It's aim is to provide you with an easy interface for the configuration of your router & firwall ports.
It's no longer in development, but here is a page for it at the Pure Networks website that will tell you more about it, http://www.purenetworks.com/faq/smartfaq.cgi
You might notice a little green top hat in your taskbar, that's for Port Magic, here's a page that's describes the installation, configuration, and removal of Port Magic, http://www.purenetworks.com/faq/print.cgi?cat=1086125630
Your desktop computer isn't connecting via wireless, it's connected to the router with an ethernet cable.
In your taskbar on your laptop there are two icons, the icons are two little computers one sitting over the other one, one has a red x over it. Double click the one that doesn't have the red x (it should be changing colors in the icon, with one computer screen lighting up, and then the other), does this give you the window showing available networks? |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4204
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 7:29 pm: |
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Well DUH Sometimes I'm not that bright! Heck I was in such a rush the other day to get to where I needed to be before my sister threw a fit I didn't get to ask some questions I should have. For some reason I thought my desk computer was also wireless.
I haven't downloaded anything since the router was set up, but I have turned the computer off, more then once, since then. I noticed the popup last night and again this morning. It's on the desk computer. Haven't been on the laptop yet. Is it worth using Port Magic?
I'm going to check the laptop in the morning as I have a lot I need to do tonight. I' guessing I can't check the wireless stuff from the desk computer, huh?
I also plan to buy my mom a simple computer for a combination birthday / Mother's Day gift. Will it be difficult to add that one to my 'network?' I have to call the electrican to change the outlet in the den first.
One last thing, for now at least. How do I get my favorites / bookmarks in ABC order? I tried the right click thing with AOL, it didn't work... |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4205
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 7:54 pm: |
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Uh-oh! I turned ont eh laptop because I had a funny feeling. Guess what? It shows MY connection as 'unsecure!' How do I correct that? If my ;aptop is off, can anyone break in through the 'unsecured' access? |
upondaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 590
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 8:39 pm: |
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"Paranoia runs deep....." |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4206
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 9:14 pm: |
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Gee Thanks! Upon!
Think I'll take a peek to make sure those little creatures aren't after me LOL  |
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 2351
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 9:33 pm: |
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You really weren't paying attention to me at all the other day were you? 
Laptop shows as unsecure because we only used MAC address filtering, not an encryption algorithm, and or password authentication.
In your case I feel MAC filtering along with not broadcasting your SSID is just fine.
Your neighbors (many of whom broadcast their SSIDs, and some that have completely open wireless networks), won't see your wireless broadcast name, and won't know that you have wireless (or at least the average user won't) to even try to join it (unless they read this and know who you are).
they would also have to know how to get your MAC address, and to be able to spoof it, in order to gain access to your network....
(Now just what kind of funny feeling did you have?)
Port Magic and Norton Firewall can cause problems together, I would uninstall Port Magic (especially if you haven't used it (after all, you didn't know what it is, so you probably haven't used it), after taking it off the desktop, re-start the pc and wait to see if your normal use of it seems affected adversely.
For your Mom, I suggest the cheapest Mac (I just had too) or the cheapest Dell you can get, since she doesn't do much with it does she?
Or get a better new one for yourself and give your Mom your old pc.
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4207
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 9:56 pm: |
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Monster-
Well I was paying attention, but I am kind of slow. I remember we weren't able to see my connection in the list of those in my neighbors; but now I can.
The funny feeling was after my neighbor asked me if I entered a code every time I used my computer. Told me if I didn't, my access wasn't secure.
I'm going to uninstall Port Magic as soon as I post this. Thanks!
BTW How come you aren't at Bunny's? |
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 2352
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 10:04 pm: |
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Of course you can see it, you're joined to it.
tell your neighbor Bah!, you should be just fine, if someone really wanted to, his/her network isn't really much more secure than yours if they are determined and know what they are doing.
Bunnys? Am I missing something?
Besides Bunnys that is.... |
wnb
Citizen
Username: Wnb
Post Number: 338
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 10:39 am: |
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Incidentally this has nothing to do with whether your network is wireless or not -- the Port Magic thing. If you google the phrase you'll find plenty of information about what it is and what it does.
Next, there are many ways to secure a wireless network and having to enter a passcode in is only one of them.
You can join your own network without "seeing" it. It is one good way to make sure others don't (accidentally or intentionally) access your wireless network. It's called SSID Broadcasting and it is best to turn it off... when you do your SSID (which is the name that identifies your wireless network) is not broadcast so it does not show up on anyone's list. This coupled with MAC filtering makes for perfectly adequate protection for your wireless.
The real danger remains not someone hacking your wireless network, it is the wired connection to the internet that is the real source of vulnerability.
Locking up your wireless is like making sure your attic window is locked up. The firewall protecting you from the internet itself is your front door deadbolt. Don't confuse the two. |
moving soon
Citizen
Username: Movingsoon
Post Number: 78
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 12:14 pm: |
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"The real danger remains not someone hacking your wireless network, it is the wired connection to the internet that is the real source of vulnerability."
Does that mean I'm better off connecting my desktop via a wireless connection to my router rather than an ethernet cable?} |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4224
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 12:52 pm: |
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Moving
I had that cleared up for me as well. I know an ethernet cable was used to connect my desk computer to the router. The laptop is wireless. My desk computer doesn't even have a little icon in the lower right hand corner anymore. But I know I'm online. |
wnb
Citizen
Username: Wnb
Post Number: 340
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 1:35 pm: |
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It means if you're on the internet you're exposed to millions of people all over the world. Your little wireless router has an effective radius about the same as a standard cordless phone. It's a matter of proportion.
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