Comments on: Configuring a Linksys Router

By: debbie T

debbie T — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:10:53 +0000

I just edited my original comment to include the link to the google doc with the list of routers and details on their vulnerability.

Anyway, John, no I don’t think Mac filtering is going to help, mac addresses can be easily spoofed, and if someone is going to the trouble to hack into your wifi, they are going to know ALL the tricks.

From what I’ve read, there is no easy answer right now for a lot of router brands except a firmware fix that could take months to release.

The good news is there are many routers that are not susceptible to the hack, like apple airports and thankfully Verizon Fios routers.

I’m waiting for the transcript for Security Now’s latest podcast, or perhaps I’ll try to listen today.

here is the link to GRC’s main podcast page:
http://www.grc.com/securitynow.htm

and the link to the podcast audio/video at twit.tv:
http://twit.tv/sn

By: johnbd

johnbd — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:48:08 +0000

It just occurred to me, that if enabling MAC filtering is effective, turning off DHCP may be just as much. Then you would have to assign static IPs; but how bad would that be on a SOHO LAN?

By: debbie T

debbie T — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:22:11 +0000

Hello again, after a bit of googling, I found a google doc listing a good amount of router models, and if they are vulnerable, and more importantly if WPS can be disabled.

Link to google doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ags-JmeLMFP2dFp2dkhJZGIxTTFkdFpEUDNSSHZEN3c#gid=0

It looks like a lot of Linksys/Cisco router owners are out of luck right now, as WPS cannot be disabled on most if not all of the newer models.

I’m lucky that I have a router now that isn’t vulnerable.

Wow, I hope it gets fixed soon. A lot of my relatives have Linksys routers.

By: debbie T

debbie T — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:06:36 +0000

Thank you for posting this, Johnbd. Wow, this is pretty bad. Yikes, even if WPS is turned off, it doesn’t matter.

I’m going to do some more research, thanks again!

By: johnbd

johnbd — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:08:19 +0000

Recently security researchers revealed a vulnerability in WiFi Protected Setup, an optional device configuration protocol for wireless access points.

The only way to block the attack was to turn on Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering to block unwanted hardware.

http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2012/01/hands-on-hacking-wifi-protected-setup-with-reaver.ars

By: debbie T

debbie T — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:23:41 +0000

thanks to Lindsey and Johnbd. I’ve used this tutorial myself over the years a few times as well.

By: Lindsey

Lindsey — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:11:21 +0000

THIS was so helpful! It answered every single question and was explained so nice! Thanks for doing this!

By: johnbd

johnbd — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:34:30 +0000

thank you. I’ve used this post at least 5 times since I found it. brilliant.

Happy New Year debbie T !!

By: debbie T

debbie T — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:09:16 +0000

Hey Paul,

The Encryption Mode is what you’ve set on the router, either WEP, WPA, WPA2 or if you left it at default, no security, leaving it as an open network, which is HIGHLY not recommended (read the above article)

and the key is the password you set for the encryption mode, again, read the article on steps to set a password/key

Good luck!

By: Paul Reeves

Paul Reeves — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 04:03:12 +0000

Sorry for the false start above. I have a Linksys WRT54G router. I wish to set up my laptop to work wirelessly with a Brother HL4070CDW printer. The printer setup instructions say to first determine the SSID, Authentication Method, Encryption Mode, and Encryption Key of the router. When I installed the router I went with the default settings. I found the SSID (linksys) on 192.168.1.1, and maybe the Authentication Method (AUTO), but the terminology on the other two don’t match up with the choices closely enough to be sure what they are.Can anyone tell me exactly how to determine the installed settings from the info in my computer, or alternatively, what the default settings from the factory are?

Thanks

By: Paul Reeves

Paul Reeves — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 03:51:21 +0000

I have a Linksys WRT54G router. I wish to set up my laptop to work wirelessly with a Brother HL4070CDW printer. The printer setup instructions say to first deternime the following router settings:

By: gabi

gabi — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 07:30:42 +0000

You are the best. It worked! 100%. Now back to taking an online exam. :^)

By: debbie T

debbie T — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:07:26 +0000

I responded to your post on the other forum, but I will post here as well.

Google is a great resource for questions:

http://www.google.com/search?q=connecting+mac+to+wifi

By: Catherine Mortensen

Catherine Mortensen — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 04:15:48 +0000

I found you website on the Q. Great site!

I secured my router, but my MacBook Pro has to be added to my network. I am not sure if you have a mac laptop but if you do, could you help me with that.

Thank you so much for the help with the linksys router

By: James

James — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:18:29 +0000

http://192.168.1.1

Dont forget the http:// or will not be able to connect…

By: debbie T

debbie T — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:26:00 +0000

Networking can be hell, can’t it? Thank you for your comment, Shane and Kriss!

By: Shane & Kriss

Shane & Kriss — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:53:18 +0000

Thank you so much for this walkthrough! You saved my wife and I from networking hell

Thank you so very much,
Shane & Kriss

By: debbie T

debbie T — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:46:49 +0000

Hey Jess, so happy to hear that it helped you!

By: Jess

Jess — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:19:52 +0000

I’ve used this guide on two separate occasions and found it extremely helpful, thank you very much!

By: debbie T

debbie T — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Thanks Darrell! Glad it helped you!

By: Darrell

Darrell — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:25:06 +0000

Well written, pertinent and helpful. Thx

By: debbie T

debbie T — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:00:25 +0000

Mal,

I just checked and I can access 192.168.1.1 just fine, I am sorry you are having issues.

But it sounds like your problem has happened to others.

google “can’t connect to 192.168.1.1″ and hopefully one of the listed sites will help.

Good luck

By: mal

mal — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:20:01 +0000

Hi;

Thank you for a wonderful write-up!

Have you tried to log-onto the 192.168.1.1 site recently?

It does not seem to work for me. Can I perform the procedure using any other site?

Thanx.

By: debbie T

debbie T — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 04:19:24 +0000

Hello Amy,

Are you using WPA2? Is your computer older? Some computers don’t have the technology to connect to WPA2.

Other than that, the only thing I can think of is that you aren’t typing in the correct passphrase when trying to connect wirelessly.

You do get a password prompt when trying to connect the computer, right?

And are you sure you aren’t trying to connect to another wireless network in your neighborhood? You definitely are trying to connect to yours, right?

Sorry I can’t be more helpful, but it’s very difficult to troubleshoot when you can’t see what’s actually going on on your system.

Good luck Amy!

By: amy

amy — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 02:54:42 +0000

I am having a problem with my Linksys router. I can only use my router if I have the wireless security set to “disable.” I have tried WPA-Personal, generated a passphrase, saved the settings. However I am then unable to connect through my router. As soon as I connect my computer to the router and reverse the settings, I’m online again. I also was unable to connect using Wi-Fi at my work with my computer. I have the instructions and login id/passwords, but my computer would never connect. Is there some setting specific to my computer that could be affecting my ability to connect to secure networks? I am very “UN-knowledgeable” about how these things work. Thanks!

By: debbie T

debbie T — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:17:50 +0000

Thanks Russot1!

By: russot1

russot1 — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:54:02 +0000

This article was easy to read, easy to follow, and extremely helpful. Thank you so much. I am so lucky I stumbled apon it. Not what I expected from the title ‘Splash of Style.’ Thanks again.

By: debbie T

debbie T — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:49:34 +0000

Hey Dan, The only thing I can think of (and I really am not a network expert) is that you are allowing only "so many" users...in basic setup, look for "Maximum Number of DHCP Users" - I have no idea if that has anything to do w/ your problem, but if the number is "2" perhaps that's why.

And what you might want to try is first back up your settings (Admin>Config Management) and then revert all settings back to factory defaults. You can easily restore your saved settings using the same tab later if necessary.

If there is no problem with your daughter's laptop after that, then you know it's one of the settings you had before.

I am sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck!

Oh and come back and post the info if you figure out why the Sony was messing things up.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:02:18 +0000

I am printing this to set up my Linksys again. I do have a question though.
I use my work laptop and a MAC wirelessly without any problems. But when my daughter comes on with her laptop (Sony Viao) it knocks my work laptop off, kills my VPN connection etc. but the MAC is just fine. any idea?

By: debbie T

debbie T — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:49:12 +0000

Hello Mary Jean, I have no idea. Why do you have to disable the firewall? Is it in the printer instructions? I don't use a wifi printer, so I really don't know. Sorry.

I wouldn't disable the firewall, I would probably just edit the firewall settings to allow the printer to work.

Good luck!