I set up a wireless network in 2004 with a Netgear router that only supports WEP. I thought I was secure until I read the other day that WEP is VERY easy to hack into. I bought an Extreme Base Station and will be using it with my Macbook Pro running current version of Snow Leopard, an ibook G4 running 10.5.5, (mostly because of Pro Tools Mbox 1 compatibility demands), an iMac and my wife's Acer laptop running Windows 7.
I did some searches and I did look at the wireless FAQs, but here is what I need to know before I get started:
1. Should I go into the Netgear router and completely remove the existing wireless network that is secured with WEP encryption before inserting the Extreme CD and starting on setting up the new network?
2. If I choose the simple method and bypass the manual setup method with the software on the Extreme, is it still encrypting using WPA2 or do I have to go into manual setup to select the strongest method of encryption?
3. My day job requires travel and when I use my laptop and wired or wireless on the road, I connect via a VPN, which is a pain, but adds an extra level of security. Once I setup this new network, none of my computers at home will be hard wired anymore. Whenever I was using a credit card for an online transaction, I only used the hard wired iMac. Do any of you use VPNs and what feedback can you give me on the level of security they add to a wireless system? Are they necessary, or will the Extreme WPA2 with a strong password be enough?
Thanks,
bilco
I did some searches and I did look at the wireless FAQs, but here is what I need to know before I get started:
1. Should I go into the Netgear router and completely remove the existing wireless network that is secured with WEP encryption before inserting the Extreme CD and starting on setting up the new network?
2. If I choose the simple method and bypass the manual setup method with the software on the Extreme, is it still encrypting using WPA2 or do I have to go into manual setup to select the strongest method of encryption?
3. My day job requires travel and when I use my laptop and wired or wireless on the road, I connect via a VPN, which is a pain, but adds an extra level of security. Once I setup this new network, none of my computers at home will be hard wired anymore. Whenever I was using a credit card for an online transaction, I only used the hard wired iMac. Do any of you use VPNs and what feedback can you give me on the level of security they add to a wireless system? Are they necessary, or will the Extreme WPA2 with a strong password be enough?
Thanks,
bilco