"George" <george@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:Z8udnTHc0vYdmtrbnZ2dnUVZ_sudnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> Petesmad wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> I have recently set up a home wireless network using a adsl2+router which
>> was supplied by my isp. Which I have set up with a long wep key, not sure
>> how great it is but just followed the manual.
>>
>> Having read a lot of reports of wireless networks being "hacked" into I
>> started thinking how safe is my computer.
>>
>> Can anyone offer any information in helping keep my wireless network
>> safe.
>>
>> All quite interesting stuff. I thought the best way of thinking about
>> security is think what would the would be hacker do with that mindset I
>> guess you could help protect yourself. Its a shame I understand very
>> little
>> about the subject :). How does this swarm of wirelss hackers do what they
>> do
>> ?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>>
> WEP is not secure. Do some more research and see if WPA is available and
> use a long key. If not disable the radio and get an access point that does
> have WPA.
>
> People make it easy. They ask the experts at Best Buy what to buy. Take it
> home and plug it in and when they can surf from the notebook they think
> they are done. It is the electronic equivalent of putting a sign out in
> front of your house saying "The door is open--help yourself".

I would say you are over stating the problem because it depends on the
location of the setup.

Maybe in a city where theft/crime is more prevalent than the countryside.

otherwise 64 or 128 bit WEP may be adequate.