Set up simple network and ensure security

Because you are connected to the network, the router and your computer trust each other on the network as you have supplied the security credentials already. If you then uncheck the broadcast SSID, the router and your computer still know each other, but your computer doesn't "know" if the router is on because its SSID isn't being broadcast. When you check the "connect even if network not broadcasting SSID" option is checked you are basically telling your computer that it should go ahead and try and connect to the network anyway.
When "connect automatically when network in range" is set then your computer will do exactly that ie connect to your network when in range. As far as I know, it shouldn't pose an additional threat to either your computer or your network as long as your network security is correctly setup.
With regard to `i never have to type in the "network security key"`, thats correct, your system and router has "remembered" your password for you.
With regard to "i notice even though broadcast SSID is disabled, the SSID name still appears in the list of "available connections" in the tray icon?" Thats because the SSID broadcast transmission is setup on the router and not your computer...remember, you setup the network and gave it the network name, setup the security etc at the beginning? :)

wiley, thank you for ongoing support, its most helpful.

so to confirm, it is perfectly safe to check "connect even if network is not broadcasting" , (even if windows puts a warning about this)....



heres where im at now. on router im using WPA2-PSK with new security key passphrase, enabled MAC, renamed ssid, disabled broadcast ssid, i did not alter the default IP addressing (still not clear i need to do this).

started over on the wireless laptop to match with router. i did a manually added network connection. entered the new SSID and security key.

i did not check "start connection automatically", and i did not check "connect even if network is not broadcasting" (even though now i understand it better thanks to your explanations).

i now connect to the network by clicking "connect" on the "other network" in list of available wireless network connections. if i leave the check in the "connect automatically" in the pop up dialog (in the list), then enter the ssid, and security key when asked, a new second network with the same ssid appears in the list ("ssid name_2") and new network connection is created in "manage wireless networks"...

i assume this normal, and this ssid_2 name would only appear on my laptop (as opposed to neighbors)?

Golden,

thanks for the advice, i think ive used it before, but yes ill try it again once set up

You may be better deleting your manually added network connection, re-enable broadcast SSID, then reboot. The computer should "see" your network as the router is broadcasting its SSID. You should be asked to suppy your security key and then the computer should connect to the network. You can then disable the broadcasting of your SSID on your router and check "start connection automatically", and "connect even if network is not broadcasting" This will save you having to go through the connection routine you have at present and automatically log you onto the network each time you boot up in range of the router.

Yes, you are correct in your assumption that any manually created (ssid_2) name would only appear on your laptop.

You do not need to change the default addressing setup by your router although it would make hacking your network harder as the default network settings are well known. It just depends how far you want to go with your network security.

thank you,

my router/modem:


in "edit advanced home network settings" tab,

Sets the IP address range used by the home network. You can choose from three standard configuration options (the default is 192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0), or configure the network settings manually.


"settings - private network" section, Sets the IP address range used by the home network. You can choose from three standard configuration options (the default is 192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0), or configure the network settings manually.

"configure manually" radio button is on, "enable dhcp" is checked (and shows 1st and last dhcp address), also has "default dhcp pool" radio button on,

...in "current settings - device list" section, it shows the two computers with the 1st, & 2nd addresses from the dhcp range

in "edit adress allocation", "settings", "Specify Device Addressing and Public/WAN IP Address Mapping",
it shows each computer with "current address"m (1st, & 2nd address), and under "address assignment" there is drop down list with first item "private from pool: xxx.xxx.x.x" and all sequencial "private fixed: xxx.xxx.x.x" adresses (in dhcp range) following....


1. does the router use dhcp to assign static ips...?

2. if wanting more security what defaults need to be changed and to what?

3. if these addresses arent static, is it better to assign static addresses to the computers and if so how?

thank you

here the results

should i enable or disable which of these options (boxes) on my router firewall for increased security, ?

thanks