I have my own wireless network set up at home (all done for me). My network is currently unsecured. I have read WEP security is not great and that WPA is better.

After reading that people can get on my network and do all kinds of things, I need to set up some kind of security, but how?

I am worried about possible intruders to my network since I have been running unsecured for about two weeks.

I have read about tracing IP addresses. I learned about Ip addresses, and I typed IPconfig/all into my command prompt to give me loads of info.

Basic info i got is:

Windows IP Configuration
Host name .............acer ?????????

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Physical Address...............: 00-65-32-23-F2-4C

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
Physical Address...............: 00-26-02-9F-GS-2E

Is this information traceable?

On my travels I will use unsecured wireless networks (like a coffee shop), but I don't want other users to know what my work involves, how can I stop this?

Can i trace anybody who might have been on my network, and if so how?

quote:

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I have my own wireless network set up at home (all done for me). My network is currently unsecured. I have read WEP security is not great and that WPA is better.

-> WEP is most common platform for most wlans...

After reading that people can get on my network and do all kinds of things, I need to set up some kind of security, but how?

-> depends on your wireless modem/router...

I am worried about possible intruders to my network since I have been running unsecured for about two weeks.

I have read about tracing IP addresses. I learned about Ip addresses, and I typed IPconfig/all into my command prompt to give me loads of info.

Basic info i got is:

Windows IP Configuration
Host name .............acer ?????????

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Physical Address...............: 00-65-32-23-F2-4C

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
Physical Address...............: 00-26-02-9F-GS-2E

Is this information traceable?

--> Yes

On my travels I will use unsecured wireless networks (like a coffee shop), but I don't want other users to know what my work involves, how can I stop this?

-> software firewall

Can i trace anybody who might have been on my network, and if so how?
-> yes, depends on your router and PC config....

P2E

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Don't get paranoid, you are far - far more at risk from free loaders than hackers intent on dark deeds.
Find out how to, then enable WEP on your AP/wireless Router and PC.
Other options on some AP are - MAC filltering so only your PC's MAC is allowed to connect.
Reduce your AP's output, so you're not broadcasting as far.
Simply turning your aerial so it's horizontal seriously reduces the footprint, from at least 100m + (line of sight) to 10's of M's (or less).
Don't leave it switched on. Hacking takes time, usually quite a lot I belive?
On some kit I've used you can also scan for active clients, currently connected to your network.
Disabling SSID, or changing default network ID's and static AP IP address also helps.
I would say 99% of folk just use WEP