Info FAQ - Wifi Online (Wireless Networks)

Setting Up Your Wireless Network: Answers by WANned Technologies, Inc

Whether it be the airport, a hotel, the local bookstore, or even Starbuck's, it's not hard to notice that WiFi is getting more and more popular. You can bring your laptop and sit and enjoy a high speed Internet connection. But what about using your neighbor's high speed Internet? We asked Jim Darden at WANned Technologies, Inc., a provider of WiFi in rural areas where people can't get high speed Internet like DSL or Cable, some frequently asked questions about WiFi and setting up a wireless network.

Can I share my Internet connection with my neighbors over a wireless network?

Yes but there are several things to consider. Every neighborhood is situated differently and your wireless signal will propagate differently in different areas. Are there trees between you and your neighbors? Do you have chicken wire in your stucco walls? How far is your neighbor from you? These are all things to consider.

What tools do I need to test a signal?

The best way to figure it out is to simply test your signal using tools like NetStumbler (http://www.stumbler.net). Once you understand the limitations of your signal you can then decide what needs to be done. In some cases you will need to boost your signal using high gain internal or external antennas. In other cases, you won't have to do anything. Once you've successfully shared your wireless network with the neighbors, you'll want to secure it.

What's the best way to secure my wireless network?

It's been estimated that 70% of all wireless networks are "open". This means anyone close by with with a wireless card can access an "open" network. There are people who drive around the country documenting all the "free" internet access through these "open" networks (Search Google on "WAR driving"). Unfortunately, all the off the shelf consumer wireless equipment (Linksys, DLink, etc) is "open" by default. The three most important steps to securing your wireless network are:

1. Disable SSID broadcast
2. Use wireless encryption - WEP
3. Use MAC address filtering.

I need to say that at the time of this writing there is no way to totally secure your wireless network using these three methods. But you will weed out 99.99999% of all hackers. Most "WAR" drivers are looking for a quick way to access the internet. It takes at least a day (sometimes many days) to hack into a wireless network that uses these three methods. With 70% of all wireless networks "open", hackers will move on to an easy target.

What's an SSID?

Service Set Identification. This is a name that uniquely identifies a wireless network. For security reasons this should not be broadcasted.

What is WEP?

Wired Equivalent Privacy. A key used by the wireless network to encrypt all wireless communication. Currently hackers can still break this key but it takes a LOT of work and 99.9999% will move on to an easier target.

What should I look for when buying Wireless products and Which Products do you recommend?

For most people a good off-the-shelf "wireless broadband router" will do just fine. Lynksys, D-Link, Netgear, and others have several good products. I recommend 802.11g technology. The price is about the same as 802.11b and the speed is about 5x faster. You can find these products at any of the major electronics stores.

What is WiFi?

WiFi (short for wireless fidelity and pronounced 'why-fye') is an interoperability standard for wireless networks. WiFi is the current craze for home and office networks, new and old. Specifically, WiFi is any network product that is labeled 802.11x (e.g. 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, etc).

Why is WiFi getting so popular?

WiFi is a wonderful way to network computers together without having to run ethernet cables all around the house. WiFi is especially handy for mobile, laptop users. Even if mobility means simply walking from one room in your house to the other.

- Answers provided by Jim Darden at WANned Technologies, Inc.

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