Safe Luxury

How safe is my wireless connection?

I have a laptop that connects to my router upstairs and home computer but the router has no password or security. Is my home computer safe, what about my laptop. What are the odds of somebody stealing something like my bank account info, stock portfolio, or anything very important like that? I have no idea how to set up anything on my router to protect it, I have tried but it did not work. It is a netgear by the way. So in other words do not log onto bank accounts or anything like that right now right? But when I get everything set up on the router with a password I am cool then huh?

Public Comments

1. ok try typing http://routerlogin.net/ or 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 when done u will promted for a user and pass use Username: admin Password: password <-------That is ure password which is password DONT TRY CHANGE IT Then go to wireless settings And make ure own 10 digit key up. try doing it letter A to F then save
2. If you router has not password as far as the wireless signal then yes you other computers are compromised. When you see the signal does it have a open or closed padlock if its a open padlock then you are letting anyone in that wants in. If its a closed padlock then your pretty much ok. I would set a WEP Key of 10 digits either letters or numbers and set it but you have to remember it because every wireless thing that trys to connect to your wireless will need the code to connect. Then you can change the Default IP address of the router helps to. Most are like Dlink is 192.168.0.1 and admin for the logon name and no password by default. If you change the IP address to say 192.168.25.75 or something like that who ever wants into the router itself will have to know the IP address if you change it it makes it dam near impossible to get it the router. No right click my computer and properties and hen look at computer name and the workgroup by default is the same for ALL MS Windows computers but you can change that as well if you want to share files with other computers on your router/network then all computers will have to be part of the same network name. If they are not then the computers will not talk to each other. Then you have to right click on the files you want to share and enable sharing. I have my name changed and different all IP address and have a computer that I had and tried to get into the other computers and could not it did not even see the different names workgroup computers. THanks
3. Not safe if not encrypted and password protected. I would suggest you contact the router/wireless provider for free support on how to set this up. Linksys and D-link both provide support and help you do this. You can also google your device with the How to setup wireless wep and get step by step how to's. You're not safe if you have wireless on and NO security like you are not safe if you have a house with no FRONT DOOR! Do not use your name or house number for your SSID broadcast so atleast people don't know where you live. $10 says someone is stealing your internet right now it is so very common. Make sure your Windows XP or Vista computers have Firewall enabled all the time! Use Mac filtering for the best security a simple google search can help you set this up related to your device or contact their support for a human to walk you step by step. I know I'm not giving you the exact how to because each device is very very different and you didn't provide us any information related to your equipment or os.