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A quick introduction to WiFi Security
Authored by: chris_on_hints on Dec 14, '04 09:52:51AM

WPA with SSID not being broadcast and MAC control is definately the way to go... The tips that i can pass on from my experience with this:

- use software update on your airport laptops to make sure they are all up to date...

- your 'MAC' address is called 'ethernet address' in the network pane of the system preferences. Just click on your airport connection and it will be there as a mixture of numbers and letters (AB.12.CD.... etc)

- when you want to connect to a network that supresses its SSID broadcast, you cant just select it from the airport menu. Just select 'connect to other network' or whatever it says (or the internet connect application) and enter the name of the network and password manually. You can still have your mac connect to this network automatically on log in.

- and finally, make your network name and password long and NOT OBVIOUS. So: dont use your company / house / router / computer name in it, and mix numbers and letters. You wont have to remember it - that's what your keychain is for!! If your network name is hidden, people most likely wont spot it (it wont advertise its presence) and they would have to guess both the network name AND password in order to connect.


PS. you might want to skip the MAC control if you have lots of *TRUSTED* house guests who want access. Then you just need to give them the network name and password, rather than having to tweak your router settings to accomodate each new guest. (or if you have more laptops etc than your router can be told to trust)



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A quick introduction to WiFi Security
Authored by: teledeus on Dec 14, '04 11:05:27AM

If you have airport extreme on all of your machines, you can also choose to broadcast in wireless G mode only. This prevents anyone with wireless B from trying to access or hack your network. It adds yet another layer of security in addition to those hints listed above.



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WPA breaks my PostScript printer
Authored by: lrivers on Dec 14, '04 02:44:40PM

One weird thing that I have encountered (both with a Belkin and a Linksys wireless router) is that when I try to print over Airport with WPA enabled, my (admittedly old) PostScript printer (connected via Ethernet to the router) won't print--it gets PS errors. Connecting my laptop to the router via Ethernet works fine, as does WEP encryption.



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WPA breaks my PostScript printer
Authored by: schaps on Dec 14, '04 03:18:32PM

I have a Belkin 'G' wireless router and an AsanteTalk adapter for my old Laserwriter Select 360, and it works great in all modes I have tried. I print both from OS X and Classic. I use WPA the most. You might try posting all your config info and see if any of the brains around here can come up with a solution for you.

T



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