Why you really should change the login on your router

[Rik]

The BBC site is carrying a story on a new way to hack. It should make sobering reading for all my neighbours who, not only don't secure their wireless connections, but who also leave the default passwords and SSIDs on their routers, making it easy to logon.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6367691.stm

Further coverage at El Reg:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/02/15/router_vuln/

[RJM]

Thanks Rik, I have changed mine.

I could have given you the "password" earlier, if I had looked more thoroughly!

[Rik]

I figured that.

And we thought we were safe behind a router <sigh>...

[mrapoc]

All my neighbours are n00bs but my wep-psk code should keep them at bay!

[Rik]

Wep-psk? You sure about that...

I always make a point of changing SSID so the router isn't instantly identifiable, and, of course, the logon password. After that, it's WPA2-PSK and a nice long, strong, key.

[Thar]

This generates long, strong, keys https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm ...I'm lazy 

[Rik]

Mind you, it's hard work remembering them.

Useful site, thanks for the link.

[Inactive]

Mind you, it's hard work remembering them.

I find it difficult in remembering a 4 digit PIN Code.. 

[Nerval]

I find it difficult in remembering a 4 digit PIN Code.. 

that's why I write mine on the card 

[Rik]

I find it difficult in remembering a 4 digit PIN Code.. 

I know what you mean, these days we have so many PINs, passwords and logins to remember that the whole thing is becoming unwieldy. Many people I know have changed their card PINs so that they are all on the same number, hardly ideal.

Eventually, the whole process is going to have to be re-thought, possibly by using these 'one-time' code dongles.

[Inactive]

that's why I write mine on the card 

[Inactive]

Many people I know have changed their card PINs so that they are all on the same number, hardly ideal.

I know Rik, sorely tempting, but highly unwise.

I put mine in to a dummy, but believable phone number in my mobile, again, not ideal, but practical.

[Rik]

It's better than writing them on the cards, of course. I'm lucky, I have a brain that finds numbers easy to memorise (of course, I may not always remember what they relate to! ). So, phone numbers, PINs, alarm access codes etc all go in and stay there - for now at least.

[Nerval]

that's why I write mine on the card 

Forgot to add that cos my eyesight's not so good, I do it in big numbers with a magic marker.

[Inactive]

You may consider having it tattooed on your forehead Nerv

[Rik]

In mirror writing, presumably?

[Nerval]

You may consider having it tattooed on your forehead Nerv

No need, it's on the front and back of my T Shirt as well just in case.

[Inactive]

I am sitting here creased up with laughter at this thread.. 

[Nerval]

Well I can't crease up with laughter or I wouldn't be able to see my PIN on my T shirt  - or I couldn't if I didn't use my PIN 6 inches high as my screen saver

[Nerval]

My T shirt had to go in the wash, so while I'm waiting for it, in case I forget my PIN, I thought I ought to post it on here.
It's  1234
Nobody will ever guess that!! 

[Inactive]

That's a coincidence Nerv, exactly the same as mine, of course I don't broadcast it to the world like you.

Still laughing at this thread.. 

[stevelondon]

Ive just borrowed some of your bandwidth Nerv