Evelyn, While Kim is probably right, and while HumanWare probably needs to expand the security settings, there are other things to consider. Another setting on a wireless network is whether your system transmits its system ID. Once you get your BrailleNote working, you can turn the SYS-ID off. This means that your network won't show up by name when someone does a scan while the BrailleNote connecting to your system will already know the ID. This, together with WEP will really protect you reasonably well. If a computer hacker is cruising your neighborhood, he or she might get in, but it will keep teenagers driving around in a van out. Further, consider what you will be exposing on your network. If you are careful about what you share between computers, this will also limit your potential loss. Nobody should make their main drive available to a network, for example. The ability to use the BrailleNote through wireless is extremely nice, and if you are careful, the security supported should be adequate. Some wireless connections also support only giving access to specific "MAC" addresses. A "MAC" address is assigned to each piece of hardware. This also gives you a little more security. There are other tricks, too, such as reducing the range of addresses so that you keep the available IP Addresses mostly busy. A lot of this depends upon what is accessible on your network as to how important it is.
Another thing that the computer shows don't mention is that there are so many wireless networks open, that even WEP will be enough to cause most people to move on rather than crack it. If I scan for networks in this area, I find that roughly half of them seem to have no security on them at all. I'm not saying you shouldn't be concerned, only that things in the real world are not always as black and white as they are on the radio. In other words, if you use some care and take multiple approaches, WEP is going to provide adequate security for now, even if it is not the ultimate. On Tue, 17 Apr 2007 20:44:01 -0400, Evelyn Weckerly wrote: >Hi, Rhonda, >I have set nothing up yet. (see my previous message). I am really >sorry that WEP is the highest standard supported for security. >According to Kim Komando, that can be broken within seconds. This is >obviously another issure that HumanWare needs to deal with. I may >decide not to use my BN for access at home because I want the current >standard for security. >What I'm concerned about now is getting the hardware and security up >and running, I hope, without sighted help. >Evelyn >At 05:14 PM 4/17/2007, you wrote: >>Evelyn, I would guess you'll have lots of assistance. Except for a >>meeting tonight, I'll be glad to help, should you not get >>assistance. I have unlimited long-distance, but my number is >>217-532-7894. However, I'm going to send you some information. >>I'm pretty sure you have set up the "directory of accounts" side, so >>I'll just give you the "Connectivity" side. >> >> Wireless >> If you are using a wireless connection, do the following: >> 1. Put your wireless card in. >> 2. From Main Menu, press Options, C, W. >> 3. You will see "wireless card active; currently no." >> 4. Press Y for yes. >> 5. Space down to "scan for a network"? >> 6. Press Enter. >> 7. You will see "list of available connections." >> 8. Once you see one, press the Space bar to see a connection. >> 9. You will be placed into the "configuration items list." Enter >> your configuration name. >> 10. Press Enter. The SSID and all other settings should go into >> their default values. >> 11. At the "Shared Authentication", press Y. >> 12. At "use WEP?" press Y. >> 13. WEP key? The WEP key is usually 1 through 9. Any number >> should be in lower case. If you have letters, they are generally >> from A to F. Generally, the WEP key comes from the router. >> 14. If you are not connecting, check the DNS address. Go into >> the connectivity menu and look for active connection details once >> you have made your connection. Look for the first DNS address. >>There is also a secondary DNS address but you aren't concerned with >>that one. If the DNS address ends in a higher number with the last >>two numbers, you don't have a proper connection. >>Usually the address ends in 01, 05, or possibly 10 but it won't end >>in a number higher than the possible connections your router can >>handle. If you only have one or two devices connected to your >>network and you are getting a higher number, you don't have a good >>connection. Just an indicator to watch for. The next thing is to >>determine how your network is secured. Network Places >> If you desire to set up with your computer, do the following: When >> asked for a server, type in your computer's name. Press >> enter. Leave user name and password blank. Say no when asked if >> you want to update default log on information. Press space with >> E. You will then be asked for a network place, accept the >> default. After that, you should be placed in your computers hard drive. >___ >Replies to this message will go directly to the sender. >If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a >copy to the list as well. >To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit >http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote ___ Replies to this message will go directly to the sender. If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a copy to the list as well. To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
