Wireless Network Adaptor
February 10, 2011admin Comments Off
Wireless Network Adaptor
Wireless Security Part 2
We have recently covered the necessity of security for a Wireless Network and will be continuing today with the different standards available. When setting up your security the manual will be required for part of the configuration process but the particulars vary slightly depending upon the manufacturer. Whilst this manually would normally either physically in the box or on a disc in the box it can normally be obtained from the manufacturer's website if it has been misplaced.
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) - Introduced back in 1999, WEP is still one of the most popular encryption protocols. Despite the fact it has several serious weaknesses and can be readily cracked in minutes with freely available software, it is the default choice presented to a user when setting up security on a wireless network which probably explains its continued popularity.
The standard is so weak because it relies on a small piece of data being pre-pended to all transmissions which when matched to the key held by an authorised machine allows the data to be decrypted. With it being on almost every packet of data transmitted the cracking process just involves listening out for enough of them in order to obtain sufficient numbers to decrypt the key.
If however your wireless router seems to just support WEP then be sure to check out the manufacturers website as there is a good chance a free update for the routers firmware will be available to include the use of more sophisticated standards. In my opinion WEP should only be used if completely necessary as it is only an improvement over having nothing at all!
MAC Filtering - This will give you the power to grant individual machines access to your wireless network by pre-specifying their MAC addresses that are used to individually identify network adaptors.
This theory unfortunately suffers in the same way as WEP; someone with devious intentions only needs to listen to enough network traffic to be able to compile a list of possible MAC addresses. Once obtained, the hacker creates a bogus MAC address which causes your router to give access by fooling it in to thinking that it's speaking to an authorised machine.
Disabling SSID Broadcast - The SSID (Service Set IDentifier) has to be identical on both the router and client machine in order for them to communicate. In order to ease setup, the SSID broadcast reveals the location of your network to all computers within range so they can easily connect if required. The broadcast can be disabled which would then mean rather than searching for your local network you would be required to memorise the SSID. Unfortunately, as before, this can be easily circumvented by simply listening to network traffic with freely available software.
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) - In the home market WPA usually relies on a pre-shared key which consists of a passphrase used to access the network. This passphrase can be from 8 to 63 characters long however in the interests of security I would suggest choosing at least 13 completely random characters. WPA succeeds where WEP failed as the encryption key pre-pended to the transmissions is changed frequently so that a hacker is unable to obtain sufficient data in order to decrypt the key.
In conclusion, I suggest that all computer users with a wireless network ensure that firstly they are actually employing some form of wireless security and secondly that it is set to the secure WPA standard; whilst it is not unbreakable it is considered extremely secure and certainly the best that we have for now.
![]() Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter A/B/G & N Networks List Price: Sale Price: $89.85 You save: $10.14 (10%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionDesigned for versatility and ease, the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter ‘N’ enhances your Xbox 360 experience in the digital home, seamlessly synchronizing with the Xbox 360 system with the newest Wireless N standard. Wireless N offers increased speed, coverage and reliability and can easily stream media-intensive applications such as ‘Games on Demand’, HD movies, videos and music to your Xbox 360 system from Xbox LIVE® or your Media Center PC. Features
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![]() LG AN-WF100 Wi-Fi USB Adaptor List Price: Sale Price: Too low to display Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionLG's AN-WF100 is a Wi-Fi USB adapter that provides instant access to LG's NetCast content such as Netflix, YouTube, Skype, Picasa and Yahoo! TV Widgets. Features
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![]() D-Link DWA-125 150Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter List Price: Sale Price: $18.49 You save: $53.60 (74%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionD-Link DWA-125 150Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Features
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![]() Medialink - Wireless N USB Adapter - 802.11n - 150Mbps - 2.4ghz - Windows 2000 / XP / Vista 64-Bit /128-Bit Windows 7 Compatible List Price: Sale Price: $29.99 You save: $60.00 (67%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionMedialink - Wireless N USB Adapter - 802.11n 150Mbps* Compatible with any Brand 802.11g or 802.11n Router Using 2.4ghz Wavelength * Microsoft WHQL Certified * Supports WEP, WPA and WPA2 Security * Live US Based Customer Service Offering the ultimate in simplified Wi-Fi installation, Medialink's 150Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter offers a simplified one click installation. Insert the CD, click "install software" and the utility will auto-detect your operating system and install the appropriate drivers. (Windows 7 Users, just plug and play! No CD required.)Compatibility- Any PC or Laptop with a USB port, 733MHz CPU, and 64MB Memory- Any brand 802.11g or 802.11n router using 2.4ghz wavelength- Windows 2000, 2003, XP Home/Pro/64-Bit, Vista 32-Bit/64-Bit, Windows 7- NOT COMPATIBLE with Xbox 360, PS3, Blu-Ray Players, Roku Boxes, or any device that does not run an Operating System. Also will not work with Dual Band Routers that only broadcast N speeds on 5ghz wavelength. Microsoft WHQL CertifiedUnlike many Wi-Fi adapters, Medialink adapters are Microsoft WHQL certified to ensure compatibility with the major operating systems listed above.SecurityThis adapter provides state of the art standards-based security features: WPA/WPA2, IEEE802.1X, 64/128-bit WEP. With these enhanced security features, you can encrypt your data and only allow authorized users to access your wireless network.Customer ServiceMedialink products are backed by superior customer support. If you need assistance you can call us at 856-216-8222 Tuesday - Saturday 9am to 6pm Eastern or email us after hours at support@medialinkproducts.com. Please have the security type and password ready if you need help troubleshooting your connection. Features
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![]() TiVo AG0100 Wireless G USB Network Adapter for TiVo Series 2 and Series 3 DVRs List Price: Sale Price: $38.50 You save: $6.49 (14%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionIntroducing a wireless adapter made especially for TiVo! Easily connect your TiVo Series2 or Series3 DVR to your 802.11b/g wireless home network. This adapter and a broadband Internet connection eliminates the need for a phone line connection. Enjoy TiVoToGo and multi-room viewing transfers, music and photos, online scheduling, and more. Note: This adapter is for use with the TiVo Series2 or Series3 DVRs only. Do not use with a TiVo Series1 or the DIRECTV DVR with TiVo. Connect your TiVo Series2 DVR to your wireless home network with this TiVo Wireless G USB Network Adapter, and enjoy TiVoToGo, multi-room viewing transfers, music and photos served up to your television, and easy online scheduling of recordings. If used with a broadband connection, it also eliminates the need for a phone line. With the TiVoToGo feature, you'll be able to transfer programs from your TiVo box to a Windows-based desktop or laptop PC. It works with 802.11g and 802.11b wireless networks. What's in the Box USB network adapter, USB cable Features
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![]() TiVo AN0100 Wireless N Network Adapter (Gray) List Price: Sale Price: $70.35 You save: $19.64 (22%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe TiVo Wireless N Network Adapter creates a high-performance, 802.11n connection between your TiVo DVR and the internet via your wireless home network, so you can enjoy faster downloads of HD movies and TV shows. This next-generation network adaper also features simple push-button set up get you up and running in minutes Features
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![]() Samsung WIS09ABGN LinkStick Wireless LAN Adapter List Price: Sale Price: Too low to display Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe LinkStick is a wireless USB 2.0 adapter that provides instant access to InfoLink RSS data – like news, weather, sports and stock information – on your Samsung HDTV screen! Requirements: Compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g and 802.11n draft 2.0. Supports '09 & '10 Samsung TVs with Internet@TV, AllShareTM OR InfoLink. Support '09 & '10 Samsung Blu-ray Disk Players with BD Live. Compatible models: LCD ('2009 : B630 series and higher / '2010 : C550 series and higher), LED ('2009 : B6000 series and higher / '2010 : C5000 series and higher), Plasma ('2009 : B650 series and higher / '2010: C540 series and higher), Blu-ray disc player ('2009 : BDP1200, 1220, 1250, 1252, 1255, 3250, 3275, 7200, 7250, 8200 / '2010 : Except BD-C5500, HT-C5500 ) Features
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![]() Cisco-Linksys WPC54G Wireless-G Notebook Adapter List Price: Sale Price: $16.25 You save: $41.74 (72%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionWireless-G is the upcoming 54Mbps wireless networking standard thats almost five times faster than the widely deployed Wireless-B (802.11b) products found in homes, businesses, and public wireless hotspots around the country but since they share the same 2.4GHz radio band, Wireless-G devices can also work with existing 11Mbps Wireless-B equipment.The new Wireless-G Notebook Adapter from Linksys has both standards built in, so you can connect your notebook to existing 802.11b infrastructure, and also the new screaming fast Wireless-G networks. The included Setup Wizard will walk you through configuring the adapter to your networks settings, step by step. Then just slide it into your notebooks PC Card slot and enjoy network access with your notebook computer, while retaining true mobility.Once youre connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail, access the Internet, and share files and other resources such as printers and network storage with other computers on the network, wherever you wander. Amazon.com Product Description Early Adopters Pick, January 2003. The first high-speed wireless networking PC card for laptops to use the 802.11g standard, which is four times faster than the current standard (802.11b) and backwards compatible. The new Wireless-G notebook adapter (PC Card adapter) from Linksys has both the 802.11b and newer 802.11g standards built in, so you can connect your notebook to existing 802.11b infrastructure and also the new, fast Wireless-G networks. The included setup wizard walks you through configuring the adapter to your network's settings, step by step. Then just slide the adapter into your notebook's PC Card slot and enjoy network access with your notebook computer, while retaining true mobility. Wireless-G is the 54 Mbps wireless networking standard that's almost five times faster than the widely deployed Wireless-B (802.11b) products that are found in homes, businesses, and public wireless hotspots around the country. But since they share the same 2.4 GHz radio band, Wireless-G devices also work with existing 11 Mbps Wireless-B equipment. Once you're connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail, access the Internet, and share files and other resources such as printers and network storage with other computers on the network, wherever you wander. At home, you can surf the Web or use instant messaging to chat with friends while sitting out on the patio. You'll also be able to connect to any of the growing number of public wireless hotspots springing up in coffee shops, airport lounges, hotels, and convention centers. And as those hotspots upgrade to the new high-speed Wireless-G standard, you'll be ready to take advantage of the increased speeds. Get connected to current standard 802.11b networks today, and be prepared for the future with the Wireless-G notebook adapter from Linksys. See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies. Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere--without wires. Outside the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, and airports--great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer. Which Wireless Standard Is Right for Me? Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use. Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed. For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time: 802.11b 802.11a 802.11g To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart. Features
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![]() 802.11g USB WiFi Wireless Lan Adapter w/5dBi Antenna Sale Price: $12.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionSpecifications :Data Rate:IEEE 802.11b: 1, 2, 5.5, 11Mbps IEEE 802.11g: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54Mbps PSP X-link support Software AP mode support Security: WEP (64/128/256bit), WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, WPA2-PSK Supporting O.S.:Windows 98SE / ME / 2000 / XP / Vista Mac v10.3 and v10.4 and 10.5 Linux Kernel v2.6.6 and later Features
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![]() Alfa 1000mW 1W 802.11b/g USB Wireless WiFi Network Adapter With Original Alfa Screw-On Swivel 9dBi Rubber Antenna List Price: Sale Price: $37.99 You save: $52.00 (58%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionYou asked for STRONGER WiFi and Extended Range and here it is. We have combined this high power Wi-Fi adapters with a powerful +9 dBi 15'' 2.4GHz Hi-Gain folding antenna. Estimated range is (depending on environment) 1.2 mile (2km) Most common Wi-Fi devices (D-Link, Linksys, and Netgear) have power ratings of less than 50mW (milliwatts.) Our new Wi-Fi device is 10x as strong (1000 mW.) This adapter is what the WiFi world has been waiting for. It is compatible with almost all laptops and desktop, PCs and Macs. This kit also includes two antennas- one mini 5 dBi gain travel antenna, and one high gain 9 dBi antenna, as pictured. It is perfect to travel with and weighing less than 2 ounces and measuring 3.5 x 2.5 inches in size (8.5 x 6.3cm) This has a stunning 1000mw output power. So if you are looking for a device to connect to an outdoor 2.4 GHz antenna, such as on a boat or an RV, this is a perfect solution. Because this is a USB adapter, it works on any computer that has a USB port.this also works with Windows Vista, Linux (kernel 2.6.6 and later) and Macintosh (OS version 10.4). And the drivers for ALL of these operating systems are included on CD-ROM - Wi-Fi Certified - Includes 2 external antennas- a 5 dBi mini antenna, and an 9 dBi antenna as pictured - Diagnostic LED indicator - Complies with 802.11g standard for 2.4Ghz Wireless LAN - Contains RP-SMA external antenna jack (one external antenna is included!) - Enterprise-class 64/128 WEP encryption, WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, 802.1X support - 54 mbps High-Speed Transfer Rate for 802.11g - High powered adapter- 1000mw output power - USB 2.0 and 1.1 compliant Features
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