RedM Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 If I have a PC connected to a wireless router by a physical connection does that PC still need to have WPA or whatever security settings? As that PC doesn't have a wi-fi card or the like I'm guessing XP won't detect a wireless network. I'll be using a wireless laptop as well so assume any keys and passphrases will only apply to that. Okay, so how far off the mark am I? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 No, WPA only applies to wireless connections. Computers connected using physical cables (almost always ethernet cables) don't need WPA because it's to stop 3rd parties intercepting the wireless signals. To get your PC to detect a wireless network, you'll need some kind of wireless device plugged into it. For example, a wireless USB dongle. I'm not sure if the latest desktop PCs have wireless devices built-in, but I guess probably not: that kind of thing is built into laptops only. If you want to use either your laptop or your desktop in wireless mode, then you'll need WPA (or one of its equivalents) on each. Just check which encryption protocols (e.g. WPA) your wireless router supports, then buy a wireless dongle/laptop card that supports the one you want to use. Some protocols are more secure than others. Do a search for WEP, WPA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefferson Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 No, WPA only applies to wireless connections. Computers connected using physical cables (almost always ethernet cables) don't need WPA because it's to stop 3rd parties intercepting the wireless signals. To get your PC to detect a wireless network, you'll need some kind of wireless device plugged into it. For example, a wireless USB dongle. I'm not sure if the latest desktop PCs have wireless devices built-in, but I guess probably not: that kind of thing is built into laptops only. If you want to use either your laptop or your desktop in wireless mode, then you'll need WPA (or one of its equivalents) on each. Just check which encryption protocols (e.g. WPA) your wireless router supports, then buy a wireless dongle/laptop card that supports the one you want to use. Some protocols are more secure than others. Do a search for WEP, WPA. couldnt have put it better myself /vbb/images/smilies/bbcode_grin.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 couldnt have put it better myself /vbb/images/smilies/bbcode_grin.gif WOOT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefferson Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 as if I know what i'm on about:D what stevie_b put did sound plausible though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Just typed a post and the frikkin' cat stepped on the Thinkpad "Backward" button. Grrr. I was going to say, even if you weren't using a laptop as well and securing the wireless side for that reason, you'd still need to either secure or switch off the wireless side of the router even though you're using a wired connection, since certain types of traffic such as arp broadcasts and dhcp requests are still going out over the air. This, and having access to the router in general could allow somebody to easily direct your traffic though a path that they can monitor and extract information from. You wouldn't want strangers using your internet anyway, unless you were up to no good and wanted a "it wasn't me" get-out. Goddamn kittens. We've got five of them any they're all over my legs and the laptop. If I had a suit on I'd have stamped on the fuc*ers by now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Goddamn kittens. We've got five of them any they're all over my legs and the laptop. Pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Pics? I'll take some when they're on a less filthy piece of carpet They need to go to the vets for worming stuff or whatever it is, then they're in the Loot and the cats are going to be sewn up! It's cruel, but we have two female cats and since the second one (daughter of the other one) has started having kittens, and five this time (mum only has three at a time usually), it's looking like it's going to be constant kittens if we don't get it done, and five kittens worth of cat shit in a litter tray does smell I'm teaching them about the cat flap at the moment so I can put it outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted November 20, 2007 Author Share Posted November 20, 2007 No, WPA only applies to wireless connections. Computers connected using physical cables (almost always ethernet cables) don't need WPA because it's to stop 3rd parties intercepting the wireless signals. To get your PC to detect a wireless network, you'll need some kind of wireless device plugged into it. For example, a wireless USB dongle. I'm not sure if the latest desktop PCs have wireless devices built-in, but I guess probably not: that kind of thing is built into laptops only. If you want to use either your laptop or your desktop in wireless mode, then you'll need WPA (or one of its equivalents) on each. Just check which encryption protocols (e.g. WPA) your wireless router supports, then buy a wireless dongle/laptop card that supports the one you want to use. Some protocols are more secure than others. Do a search for WEP, WPA. So, I set the router up for WPA, same with the wieless laptop but the ethernet connected desktop stays at it is. Is that correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Is that correct? Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 So, I set the router up for WPA, same with the wieless laptop but the ethernet connected desktop stays at it is. Is that correct? That's right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 So, I set the router up for WPA, same with the wieless laptop but the ethernet connected desktop stays at it is. Is that correct? Maybe. Oh alright then, yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Except that generally you do not need to 'set' anything from the laptop. Turning on WPA on your router/AP will make WPA a requirement for connecting so the laptop will use WPA automatically. You'll see WPA in brackets after 'security enabled network' in the network list if you're using XP with SP2. Unless you have a funny WEP&WPA at the same time type of box (Wanadoo LiveBox etc.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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