[kg174]

I finally bought a wireless router and will set it up soon, since I am trying to get my kids to use a second PC.

My neighbor upstairs currently does not have internet access and have asked me if they can use mine through the wireless router. My questions are:

1.Can they access the net through my router wirelessly?( I am not sure the signal will reach upstairs)
2. Are there any security concerns?
3. Any encryption issues?
4. Can they access my PC if I were to allow them access assuming they can get the access?

Thank you for your kind response in advance.

[Spencer2004]

well if you have any shared files you can password protect them so thats not a problem.
depending on your router the signal may reach but a signal booster which costs about $10 may be required.
the security concerns are that he is able to tell anyone the encryption password and if he had the correct knowlage he could steal your internet logins, but thats the worst case scenario.

id say only allow him access if you totaly trust him 100%

[mike4life]

1.Can they access the net through my router wirelessly?( I am not sure the signal will reach upstairs)

A: dependent if they connect through your router or your computer, if its through your router you can set up MAC filtering, which will allow him only to connect to the internet, basically you choose what they can do, where as if they connect through your PC then the chances they can change the settings from their computer that say what they can and cant do.


2. Are there any security concerns?

ermmm, yes there are many!
first of all what if he starts giving out the passkey to other neighbours
if he goes on things he shouldnt then you are likely to get in to big big trouble with your ISP, probably leaving you with no internet connection.



3. Any encryption issues?

Not really


4. Can they access my PC if I were to allow them access assuming they can get the access?
Well silly, if you are giving them access then of course they can, if you tell a computer to add 1 and 2, it will not argue with you, it will just do it, likewise if you tell the computer that you want to allow the user access then it will gove access

i dont mean to sound like i am shouting at you by the way.




mike
x|X|x

[mrdaveyk]

the though of someone else using my bandwidth would drive me insane, thell them it is factory locked and you dont know how to change the password,

also you forgot it

[Sin]

As far as the security goes, I'd say only give him authentication by MAC address. That way his specific computer, and only his computer can have access to your bandwidth.