Topic: Hi, I'm wireless

[rockandroller]

Hooked up the router. Couldn't have been simpler, except when I got to the part where you're supposed to plug it into the cable modem, I found that our cable modem only has one phone-type port. This means everything has to be wireless, as I had to disconnect the cable modem from the laptop and plug the router into it. I was really hoping to only have other extraneous things be wireless (like the refurbished iPad my half-brother gave me) and maybe finally see if we can get all the stuff Tivo has to offer which we could never get because we couldn't hook it up to our computer, but oh well. I suppose I could ask the cable company if they have a modem they can give us that has 2 of those ports instead of one, but like everything with TWC I'm sure that would cost more money for some reason.

Anyway, trying it out here. Very paranoid about having my home computer with all our valuable computer information on a wireless network. Reassure me?

I am going on a trip out of town in 1.5 weeks and HAVE to have the iPad up and working and connected to my accounts and me understanding how to use it and everything, so I just had to bite the bullet and go this way.

Do you guys think I should contact TWC about a different cable modem? Or I'm just being a wuss about connecting our home computer to the wireless and I shouldn't worry about it.

[natininja]

What kind of router did you get? Most routers have ports on the back for the "phone" cord (psst it's an ethernet/cat-5 cable) to go from the router to a computer.

But if you have a laptop I would say you are hampering its usefulness by plugging it in all the time. A wired connection is good for big file transfers that require a fast connection, but in general wireless is far superior. Why wouldn't you want to be able to use your laptop on the couch?

[AJ93]

TWC should just give you an up to date router. Part of renting them comes the privilege of having up to date hardware. I'm guessing if you call, they'll tell you to bring in the old one and swap it out, if they even want the old one. When I switched from DSL to u- verse, AT&T told me they didn't even want the dsl router back.

As to security, once you set up the encryption, no one is going to see your stuff, or even be able to get into your wifi. Surf at peace

[rockandroller]

What kind of router did you get? Most routers have ports on the back for the "phone" cord (psst it's an ethernet/cat-5 cable) to go from the router to a computer.

But if you have a laptop I would say you are hampering its usefulness by plugging it in all the time. A wired connection is good for big file transfers that require a fast connection, but in general wireless is far superior. Why wouldn't you want to be able to use your laptop on the couch?

Because I'm scared!

[natininja]

Use WPA2 wireless security, and forget about your fear.

[rockandroller]

How do I do that? ESP with a trip out of town coming next week.

[jam40jeff]

Is the router from TWC?  I'm guessing only the cable modem is.  Anyway, the router should have multiple wired ports in it (it's rare to have less than 1 in and 4 out) into which the computer can be plugged.  However, put any type of wireless security on the router and I can guarantee you you won't have a problem.

Also, a different cable modem won't do any good.  Once you have the router plugged into the modem, everything else (both wired and wireless) should go through the router.

[AJ93]

^that's what I meant...the modem. I still think they would have given her the combined modem/router, like I have.
(Edit: that's right....the wireless router should have ports to hard wire if you want to...)

RnR, setting up the security (WPA, or what have you) takes about 30 minutes, including reading the how to. Do not succumb to fear, for fear is the path to the dark side.

With encryption, you're fort knox. Without....you're standing outside with no underwear on, and the wind is blowing up your skirt.

[natininja]

Much like David said, even with an open wifi network, you are probably safer than handing a waiter your credit card.

[Quimbob]

You might also want to try going outside with your laptop to see just how far your broadcast network goes. A guy would have to sit on my front steps to use mine.
and outside leaning against the chimney? forget it.

[rockandroller]

^that's what I meant...the modem. I still think they would have given her the combined modem/router, like I have.
(Edit: that's right....the wireless router should have ports to hard wire if you want to...)

RnR, setting up the security (WPA, or what have you) takes about 30 minutes, including reading the how to. Do not succumb to fear, for fear is the path to the dark side.

With encryption, you're fort knox. Without....you're standing outside with no underwear on, and the wind is blowing up your skirt.

The new router, which we bought from Best Buy as you all suggested, does have ports to hard wire it. The cable modem, which is from TWC, does not have enough ports to both hard wire the modem and plug in the router. It only has one port, and a USB. I suppose if I could buy some type of converter (if they make one) for the ethernet cable to plug into the USB then I wouldn't need a new cable modem.

Does anyone have a link to an article about how to set up a WPA? Also, what should I do when I am traveling next week? Is it ok to use the hotel wireless?

[AJ93]

^^she's in an apartment, which is why she should take the 10 minutes to set it up. If you can set up your Tivo to connect to the wifi, you can set up the encryption.

[rockandroller]

Oh I haven't even attempted the tivo thing yet. I don't even know if we can do it or how it would work. My immediate need was getting the iPad up and working and set up with my various accounts so I can use it when I'm traveling next weekend.

Now I'm paranoid about having left the router on. Should I unplug it each night? There doesn't seem to be an on/off switch. I did disconnect our laptop from the wireless before we shut down the computer last night.

[rockandroller]

It may also be worth mentioning that most of the Indians who live in my complex are IT people (and most of the people in the complex are Indian), so if anyone is going to be able to hack into my wireless network, it would be my neighbors. They don't seem like the kind of people to do that, but I don't really trust anyone.

[AJ93]

^Oy! You're over thinking this. If your computer is off, nobody can access it, ever.

Here's a link for setting up encryption. Go halfway down to #3 Configure your wireless router.

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/organization/wirelesssetup.aspx

There should be 4 ports on the back of the wireless router. You can plug an ethernet cord into any one of those to have a hard wire connection.

Edit: Unless someone has a supercomputer in their apartment, noone is going to hack into WPA encryption. Just make sure you pick a strong password, as with anything you password protect. 

[rockandroller]

I thought about plugging the cord into the router since I couldn't plug the router into the cable modem, but if the internet for the laptop has to go through the router to get to the cable modem, wouldn't it still be utilizing a wireless connection?

Does the WPA travel with the computer? Or is it something you set up on your home wireless network.

[rockandroller]

Edit: Unless someone has a supercomputer in their apartment, noone is going to hack into WPA encryption. Just make sure you pick a strong password, as with anything you password protect. 

I mean right NOW, when I do not have a WPA set up. And can't set one up until tonight.

[AJ93]

WPA is strictly for your home network. It doesn't travel with the computer, as it's not the computer that's encrypted, but the wirless broadcast from the router. 

If your ethernet cord is connected between the computer and the router, you are directly connected via the hardwire. The wireless signal is still broadcasting (other wireless devices can still connect), but that specific computer is accessing via the wired connection.

Edit: Unless someone has a supercomputer in their apartment, noone is going to hack into WPA encryption. Just make sure you pick a strong password, as with anything you password protect. 

I mean right NOW, when I do not have a WPA set up. And can't set one up until tonight.

They can hop onto your network and use your bandwidth (i.e. 'steal your internet'), but that's really no different than using a public wifi hotspot. If your computer is off, they can't access anything

[rockandroller]

Thank you! Thx for all the help. I will work on setting that up tonight.

Is there something that secures a particular computer that I should implement so that I can use various wireless networks when I'm traveling? This iPad is wifi only so I have no other way to make it work.

[AJ93]

^that's trickier. For instance, my work laptop has the wifi disabled, and the company gives me an 'aircard' (let's me access through a secure, bank owned, cellular network provided by verizon), because they feel that there's a security risk with shared, open, wifi.

The fact of the matter is, most of the stuff you do online that requires security (banking, shopping, etc.) is done through a secure website provided by the company you're doing business with, and no one can see that. The biggest risk you run is that someone, who has the technical means, and the desire, might read your embarrassing emails and find out you call your husband 'Pooky-bear'. (I'm presuming you are not an international spy)

[rockandroller]

My company does the laptop with aircard as well when you need a loaner for travel, but I don't think that's an option from a personal standpoint, I don't travel enough to warrant an investment like that.

What I don't get is, if sites like email and others are using an https secured site, how is it that people in coffee shops have gotten their email hacked into/passwords stolen? I'm not an international spy, but I really don't want my FB or email hacked. I don't plan on doing any online banking from the iPad.

[AJ93]

^ I'll leave that conversation to those that know better than me.

The one thing I'll leave you with is, if you're very concerned about security while travelling, you can buy a portable wifi hotspot and use that. I just bought one at Best Buy, and it's provided by Virgin Mobile. It's a prepaid hotspot (you buy as much time as you need), and there's no contract. I'm going to use it when I travel with the kids this summer, so they can get online and watch their stupid Winx Club or Mickey Mouse or whatever the F@#$ it is they watch these days.

The actual hotspot is $100, and then you just buy your data. It's $50/ month for unlimited, but you can buy as much/ little as you want.

[rockandroller]

Oy. Yeah, not going to do that. I'd rather just skip using the ipad and use my phone.

[jam40jeff]

R&R, saying "people have gotten their passwords stolen at a coffee shop" is like saying "people have gotten struck by lightning in their living rooms".  There are a trillion things that are much more likely to happen.  Stop worrying so much and enjoy your electronic devices.

[rockandroller]

Thx for tolerating all this discussion, you guys.

[natininja]

The most simple way to get your email "hacked" (inaccurate word in this case) is to leave yourself logged in on a public computer. The second easiest is to have a really easy-to-guess password.

All other ways of getting anything hacked go into the "lightning strike" category which jam40jeff stated.

I'll give you a brief run-down of how you will set up the wireless security, but I don't know your exact router so I can't tell you for sure.

You will type somethins like 192.168.1.1 into your web browser (like where www.urbanohio.com goes). Then you'll click "Wireless Network" or something. Then click "Wireless Security" or something like that. Select WPA2 from a dropdown menu. Type in a password of your choosing and click "Save".

From then on, whenever you try to connect to your network for the first time from a laptop, iPad, or whatever, you will have to put in the password you created.

Done and done.

[rockandroller]

I love this site. I really hope I am in some way as helpful to others as you guys have been to me.

[Loretto]

Pro Tip:  Anyone that says they got their email "hacked" using public Wi-Fi is full of crap whether they know it or not.  The exceedingly likely real story is that they were either phished or keylogged.  This means that they weren't really paying attention to where their browser was really going when they clicked on the bogus phishing link probably in an email, or they downloaded a bogus attachment or file while also not taking the time to download one of the many free antivirus programs like Microsoft Security Essentials (PC).

Public WiFi is insecure, but the reality is that outside of the Bay Area or the immediate area surrounding a hacker convention, or a tech focused convention like SXSW, CES, and E3, the odds of coming across an actual person intent upon malicious activity is incredibly low.

Also, about those IT guys in your building. Unless you have racy personal photos on your computer they have better things to do.   

Finally, here is what your network should more or less look like.  Notice the cable modem and wireless router are connected, and then the computer is connected to the router.  The modem cable is plugged into the router port labeled something like "internet" while the computer is connected to one of the other router ports labeled someting like 1,2,3,4.  The internet bubble is the (TWC) cable coming out of the wall.  I think you get it based upon the earlier posts but just wanted to be sure.

[rockandroller]

Yeah, I think I get it now. I just plug the laptop ethernet cable into the router so that can be a wired connection, and others can be wireless.

I am so glad I didn't pay TWC to come out and do this.

[Quimbob]

I am so glad I didn't pay TWC to come out and do this.

those are the guys to be afraid of

[rockandroller]

Ok so I went to try to do this and had some trouble. Plugged the ethernet cable into the router but nothing happened except my Internet access is very slow now. Looked at instructions but couldn't figure out how to get the address for a Belkin router. I right clicked on the little bars on the wireless connection and it said you could configure it. Then it said the type of connection it is is a WPA2. Do I need to do anything?

[natininja]

Do the trial and error method on these:

192.168.2.1
192.168.1.1
192.168.0.1

Sounds weird that your internet is slow with a wired connection.

If you haven't already set up a PW, you will need to. That it says WPA2 doesn't mean anything -- no PW is no PW.

[rockandroller]

Thanks, I will try that. I won't be home until late the next 2 nights so I may not be able to try it until Saturday.

[Quimbob]

on a Mac, under Preferences>Network>Advanced>TCP/IP, it lists the router address. Should be similar in Windows.
You shouldn't have to configure anything, tho. heck, even Linux is good at just hooking up automatically these days.

[rockandroller]

I'm trying to set up a secure home network, I'm not configufing the router.