Netgear router 'wireless' light

Simon · Feb 17, 2008, 16:25:12

My cousin is panicking because she says that the 'Wireless' light is still showing on her Netgear router, when the PC is switched off. She has also noticed a higher than usual bandwidth usage this month, but at first, put this down to the unusual amount of Windows Updates.

Can someone with a Netgear please confirm whether the 'Wireless' light is supposed to go out when the PC is switched off? I would be surprised if she had a piggy-backer, as she is using 63 character WEP security.

Rik · Feb 17, 2008, 16:25:54

The wireless light stays on with Netgears, Simon, if the wireless is enabled. It flickers during data transmission.

63-WEP is still pretty weak, though, she really should move to WPA.

psp83 · Feb 17, 2008, 16:29:04

And to add onto riks post.. The wireless light does also flicker sometimes when the router is idle. Tell her to keep an eye on the connected devices and block unknown ones if theres any.

Simon · Feb 17, 2008, 16:38:13

Quote from: Rik on Feb 17, 2008, 16:25:5463-WEP is still pretty weak, though, she really should move to WPA.

That's what I meant, Rik. Sorry, I always get the two of them confused.

Quote from: psp83 on Feb 17, 2008, 16:29:04
And to add onto riks post.. The wireless light does also flicker sometimes when the router is idle. Tell her to keep an eye on the connected devices and block unknown ones if theres any.

Thanks, Paul, but she wouldn't have a clue how to do that, and come to think of it, now I'm not using one myself, neither would I!

Rik · Feb 17, 2008, 16:40:01

I'd have to get mine out of the cupboard to check - amazing how fast we forget, isn't it...

Simon · Feb 17, 2008, 16:42:07

Quote from: Rik on Feb 17, 2008, 16:40:01
I'd have to get mine out of the cupboard to check - amazing how fast we forget, isn't it...

Indeed!

psp83 · Feb 17, 2008, 16:47:12

What router does she have?

On my DG834G its under "Maintenance"

Click on "Attached Devices" to get alist of the computers connected to the router.

Under "Setup"

Click on "Wireless Settings" then click the "Setup access list" button

Here you can add the computers you want to access the router.

Sebby · Feb 17, 2008, 17:04:01

As has already been said, the wireless light stays on if the wireless is enabled on the router. It will flicker from time to time; this is normal. I'd definitely tell her to consider moving to WPA as it is far more secure than WEP. Also, she could enable access control and only allow certain MAC addresses.

Simon · Feb 17, 2008, 17:11:59

Quote from: psp83 on Feb 17, 2008, 16:47:12
What router does she have?

On my DG834G its under "Maintenance"

Click on "Attached Devices" to get alist of the computers connected to the router.

Under "Setup"

Click on "Wireless Settings" then click the "Setup access list" button

Here you can add the computers you want to access the router.

Thanks for that, Paul. I believe she has a DGB111GUK. It was a router / adapter package from PC World she got last month.

Quote from: Sebby on Feb 17, 2008, 17:04:01
As has already been said, the wireless light stays on if the wireless is enabled on the router. It will flicker from time to time; this is normal. I'd definitely tell her to consider moving to WPA as it is far more secure than WEP. Also, she could enable access control and only allow certain MAC addresses.

Thanks Seb, it was me who was confusing WEP and WPA. I'm pretty certain she's on WPA.

Baz · Feb 17, 2008, 17:43:37

this page has the reference manuals for netgear routers if it helps Simon but I cant see the one you mentioned.......unless I just missed it

Rik · Feb 17, 2008, 17:44:15

Useful link, thanks, Baz.

Baz · Feb 17, 2008, 17:45:53

why thanks Rik.

have one yourself for yet more helpful tips

Rik · Feb 17, 2008, 17:49:06

Thanks (goes to look for a curtsy smiley

).

Simon · Feb 17, 2008, 17:58:14

Thanks Baz!

I'm guessing it was one exclusive to PC World, but is probably a normal 834 underneath.

Baz · Feb 17, 2008, 17:59:30

ah ok. they stick their badge on and take some credit do they

Rik · Feb 17, 2008, 18:00:16

No, I think they take credit cards though.

Simon · Feb 17, 2008, 18:49:37

I think companies just manufacture 'exclusive' versions for certain retailers, don't they? It hasn't got a PC World badge on it as far as I know.

Rik · Feb 17, 2008, 18:52:52

It was probably the router/adaptor combo that was selling before Xmas?

Simon · Feb 17, 2008, 19:01:27

Yes, except they got it after Christmas.

Rik · Feb 17, 2008, 19:10:20

Close enough.

Inactive · Feb 17, 2008, 23:21:43

Quote from: Simon on Feb 17, 2008, 18:49:37
I think companies just manufacture 'exclusive' versions for certain retailers, don't they? It hasn't got a PC World badge on it as far as I know.

They do it, so that their " exclusive " model, which is exactly the same as another model, doesn't show up in the price comparison sites and hence show them up as rip off merchants, which of course, we all know they are.

Simon · Feb 18, 2008, 00:07:40

That's a thought, In.

ducky22 · Feb 18, 2008, 01:28:52

Quote from: Simon on Feb 17, 2008, 16:25:12
she is using 63 character WEP security.

By someone with a tiny bit of linux experience and a cheapo usb wireless adapter from tesco, that could be cracked in about 10 minutes. Perhaps less depending on a few factors.

WEP was a poorly implimented technology which will only keep kiddies and grannys out.

I'm (at the moment) using WPA because my iPhone won't run correctly with anything higher. I used to use WPA-radius which essentially has a dynamic key that changed every 30mins. In my opinion, this is going to be the standard with newer routers soon as the range increases.

Rik · Feb 18, 2008, 01:37:14

Simon got his WEP and WPAs confused, but you're right, encryption standards will get tougher as the marketplace gets busier.

Simon · Feb 18, 2008, 12:40:59

Without wishing to disparage the value of high security, in reality, surely the range of the router would prevent anyone but close neighbours from 'seeing' it, and Mr & Mrs Average down the road, are fairly unlikely to be going round trying to hack into next door's network.