BleepingComputer.com: Is my network vulnerable to a hack?

Sooooo,..I just connected my 2 desk tops with a Netgear wireless router,...both computers have cables going to the router,...I just plugged and played without any boot disc,..is my network vulnerable to a hack?

Did you set all security on your router?

You may need to re-check your router security settings, as described HERE

What makes the access to the internet on a wireless router secure,...a password, a sid name etc? Sorry,..I'm new to wireless and I'm thinking if I have both desktops connected directly to the router with ethernet cables,..it's not over-the-air type access, or is it still hackable?

While your computers may be wired to it, the kid next door or somewhere within the network range of your router doesn't need to be wired (pun intended!) to it, and if the router doesn't have even a basic password change, it is 'hackable'. Some sort of wireless encryption, preferably WPA, is advisable, even if you are not connecting any devices wirelessly. This pretty much 'closes' your network. So the kid next door can't use your internet account.

sunwshpr, on 29 December 2010 - 11:27 PM, said:

Hi, if you do not use the wireless connection on the router then i would simply disable it!!!,in the future you do wish to connect wirelessly you will need to create a "key/password" and depending what type of security is offered in your router i.e... wep/wpa/wpa2 ... if wpa2 is an option that would be the best to pick, if not then choose wpa, as wep is vunerable,check this out..... http://www.yellowpipe.com/yis/tools/WPA_key/generator.php
if you decide to use this generator make sure you also write this down as it will save time when it comes to attach new peripherals/ computers/gamestations and the like as these will all need the key to access the router. also on the router settings to access it you need to change the password to get into the router... it usualy set as username...admin / password...password . this will secure your router from any one accessing and changing settings without your authority. to access your router type 192.168.0.1 into your browser then type in admin and password into pop-up box to gain access. then you can change wirelesss/ security passwords in there.

odin88, on 01 January 2011 - 09:29 AM, said:

Ok...disabling the wireless part of my router sounds like what i need to do,..so the infamous question is ,...how do I do that?...it's a Netgear mr814 v2,..I did go to the url address and it shows the Netgear status and other info

This post has been edited by sunwshpr: 01 January 2011 - 09:55 PM

Ok...disabling the wireless part of my router sounds like what i need to do,..so the infamous question is ,...how do I do that?...it's a Netgear mr814 v2,..I did go to the url address and it shows the Netgear status and other info
[/quote]
Hi, if you want to disable the wireless then do this.....>open browser window >type 192.168.0.1 > enter username...>admin >enter password...>password into log in box.when access is granted go to wireless configeration and remove the tick from enable wireless access point. scroll down and click save settings. then exit the router by logging out this option should be at the bottom left of your screen.
Here is a link to the user manual for your router http://edmullen.biz/manuals/Netgear_mr814v2_Full_Manual.pdf
any problems post back and i will try to resolve them for you.
Happy New Year.
Iain.

Woo-Hoo...I just disabled my wireless router and now using it as a wired router only,..I feel alot safer from the hack,...hope i don't have to worry about anything else,..thank you all here on Bleeping,..I was using Craigslist computer forum and can't seem to get a straight answer out of anyone on that forum,..thanks again all.

sunwshpr, on 02 January 2011 - 02:06 PM, said:

Great!!! the only thing i would do now is to change the log in password to your router,this will prevent anyone other than you in your household to change/alter settings in it.

odin88, on 03 January 2011 - 03:35 AM, said:

Also make it at least 6 figures long. Alpha\numeric in nature using both upper and lower case. Use special characters such as * or # for example if your router supports them.

Do not use a name or word found in the dictionary.