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Netgear wireless security? - Colette When I log in to the router and click on wireless settings, I can choose between: none-WEP-WPA-WPA2-WPA+WPA2 When I choose none the wireless connection is ok but accessible for everyone which I dont want. When I choose WPA or other I can create a password but the wireless connection to my laptop is very low almost none. What can I do about this? Thx

Best Answer: First - you are correct in not using "none" as this means no security. Second, before you set up wireless security, get the MAC address of the wireless port of each pc you wish to permit access and record it. This can be done by going to each pc you wish to permit wireless access, opening command prompt (start, run - type cmd in the box and hit enter). At the > prompt in command prompt, type in "ipconfig /all" without quotes and hitting enter. You will see a lot of info. Concentrate only on the wireless connector (do not concern yourself about the wired port or the lack of IP address at this time). The physical address is the MAC address, a 12 character address with each pair of characters separated by a -; you will need these. Third, log onto router using wired pc to router link, never use a wireless link of pc to router to configure. Fourth, go to the wireless security, select your encryption preference (WPA is fine and probably useable by all wireless pcs), select a complex preshare key (mix of upper and lower case letters and numbers) and write it down. Fifth, enable MAC address validation as part of the security. Enter the MAC addresses of the wireless ports of each pc you wish to permit wireless access. Careful here. Each router has a differend pattern for entering the MAC - some want 12 characters with no spaces, some want pairs separated by a :, some have different format. Sixth - save the configuration on the router. Seventh - go to the first pc you want to permit access. Configure the wireless for the encryption you selected (WPA or whatever), enter preshare key (case sensitive), and save it. If you properly entered MAC addresses in the table, properly selected the encryption to match router encryption, and properly entered preshare key you will have set up secure wireless link. Repeat this for each pc. As you can see, it is very important to document the critical info including MAC addresses entered, encryption type, and the preshare key. If you add more users later, you will need this. If someone steals a pc that has been permitted access, you delete the MAC address from the router's list of valid pcs that are permitted access and they can't get back on. Take your time to do the above. Document what you did in writing. Do one step at a time. You will succeed. Best of luck! - GTB

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