WiFi virgin
Posted by: erik scothron on 15 May 2006
I've just installed a wifi modem according to the instructions etc. and I was very pleasantly surprised to see it connected at between 5 and 6 MBPS - compared to my 2.2 broadband. However, I can't connect to the internet via Mozilla or Internet explorer. I have created a network connection so what gives? Is it because there are no free open wireless networks available?
Erik
Erik
Posted on: 15 May 2006 by gusi
Erik,
Could you elaborate on your setup please?
Do you have an adsl/cable link from the modem to the ISP and a wifi link from the modem to your PC?
If so it looks like the 5-6 Mbps link is from the PC to the modem, but the modem is not connecting to the internet correctly. Usually you can look at what is going on in the modem through your browser. Just point the browser at the modem (ie type its IP address in the browser address field). There should be some status pages for adsl/cable.
Creating the network link is not all. You also need to "log in" on the ISP, typically this is done by the modem. In that case you should have a look at the configuration page for the adsl/cable connection.
Other things to check out are the dns and gateway settings. DNS provides the look up between domain naims (eg naim-audio.com) and IP addresses (nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn). Gateway settings indicate where on your home network the machines will look for the internet.
I suspect the link to the ISP is not quite right but would need a bit more info to get it right.
cheers
Gus
Could you elaborate on your setup please?
Do you have an adsl/cable link from the modem to the ISP and a wifi link from the modem to your PC?
If so it looks like the 5-6 Mbps link is from the PC to the modem, but the modem is not connecting to the internet correctly. Usually you can look at what is going on in the modem through your browser. Just point the browser at the modem (ie type its IP address in the browser address field). There should be some status pages for adsl/cable.
Creating the network link is not all. You also need to "log in" on the ISP, typically this is done by the modem. In that case you should have a look at the configuration page for the adsl/cable connection.
Other things to check out are the dns and gateway settings. DNS provides the look up between domain naims (eg naim-audio.com) and IP addresses (nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn). Gateway settings indicate where on your home network the machines will look for the internet.
I suspect the link to the ISP is not quite right but would need a bit more info to get it right.
cheers
Gus
Posted on: 16 May 2006 by garyi
It sounds like Gus might have it, you might be seeing the speed between computer and router not router and world.
You need to have your ADSL phone line plugged into your router.
The router can then be connected to your primary computer with an ethernet lead, this should all have been supplied.
If your computer has wireless then it does not need the lead.
Your router will have an address you put into mozzila to 'log' onto it, this takes you to the routers set up pages. You need primarily tp have your ISP log on name (Typically something like your.nam@dsl2.net And the password you specified when you set the contract up. If your router was bought locally then it may well not need a lot more to get fired up.
You need to have your ADSL phone line plugged into your router.
The router can then be connected to your primary computer with an ethernet lead, this should all have been supplied.
If your computer has wireless then it does not need the lead.
Your router will have an address you put into mozzila to 'log' onto it, this takes you to the routers set up pages. You need primarily tp have your ISP log on name (Typically something like your.nam@dsl2.net And the password you specified when you set the contract up. If your router was bought locally then it may well not need a lot more to get fired up.
Posted on: 16 May 2006 by erik scothron
Chaps,
I was just using a PCMCIA modem (no cables/routers)on loan from a friend to see what free public networks/hotspots I could contact from my flat/neighbourhood. We even went to a local pub offering wireless connection but their router was acting up but I noticed in the pub there was no mention of WEP although from my flat there was. Was I simply picking up private networks from my home for which some form of WEP protected?
Cheers,
Erik
I was just using a PCMCIA modem (no cables/routers)on loan from a friend to see what free public networks/hotspots I could contact from my flat/neighbourhood. We even went to a local pub offering wireless connection but their router was acting up but I noticed in the pub there was no mention of WEP although from my flat there was. Was I simply picking up private networks from my home for which some form of WEP protected?
Cheers,
Erik
Posted on: 16 May 2006 by Jono 13
Eric,
my only advice would be be very careful what information your access through an unencrytped Wi-Fi link. It is very easy to track and grab information like your bank details via Wi-Fi.
Also you could find people using your broadband access point without you realising it.
Make sure your lock down access to just your own computers, via an IP list.
Jono
my only advice would be be very careful what information your access through an unencrytped Wi-Fi link. It is very easy to track and grab information like your bank details via Wi-Fi.
Also you could find people using your broadband access point without you realising it.
Make sure your lock down access to just your own computers, via an IP list.
Jono
Posted on: 16 May 2006 by Guido Fawkes
Erik,
Jono's advice is good.
If you are using WiFi or any Internet connection for doing anything that involves personal data or financial information then make sure the site is https and not http, and of course, that you're 100% sure the site is authentic. If you're using https then you have a secure tunnel to the site and it should be safe to use (at least it won't get snooped on route).
Erik, you should be able to use the pub's wireless network or a BT Open Zone hot spot (think this might be a subscription service). It's fine to do things like this forum.
If you found a WEP network then even though it is trivial to access it, you shouldn't it is a private network and the owner has tried to make it confidential. WPA is the way to make it much more secure.
Lots of companies I visit let me use a wireless connection, my Mac lists the connections available (I think a PC will do the same), so the onus is on us to select a network that we are allowed to use.
To think when I first started in this industry the Internet was free and not for commercial use.
Jono's advice is good.
If you are using WiFi or any Internet connection for doing anything that involves personal data or financial information then make sure the site is https and not http, and of course, that you're 100% sure the site is authentic. If you're using https then you have a secure tunnel to the site and it should be safe to use (at least it won't get snooped on route).
Erik, you should be able to use the pub's wireless network or a BT Open Zone hot spot (think this might be a subscription service). It's fine to do things like this forum.
If you found a WEP network then even though it is trivial to access it, you shouldn't it is a private network and the owner has tried to make it confidential. WPA is the way to make it much more secure.
Lots of companies I visit let me use a wireless connection, my Mac lists the connections available (I think a PC will do the same), so the onus is on us to select a network that we are allowed to use.
To think when I first started in this industry the Internet was free and not for commercial use.
Posted on: 16 May 2006 by erik scothron
quote:Originally posted by ROTF:
Good advice indeed. I am reasonably well informed about computer and network security (I am a PCLP Lotus Notes Administrator although I have not worked with Notes or IT for a few years)but I don't know the first thing about wireless. I imagined I had found a protected network which would account for being seemingly connected to the internet and yet not but thought it best to check just in case I had forgot to do something simple (which would not be the first time). Thanks for the info.
Erik