In my experience as a computer support tech for residential customers I would estimate that 9 out of 10 home wireless networks are not properly secured and left open for anyone in range to use the internet connection or worse, hack into the files. Most people don't even realize that their network is not secure. They buy a wireless router plug in all the cables and if they get an active internet connection from all PCs then they are done.
In this article I will show you how to secure your home network using Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) through a Preshared Key (PSK). WPA is the newest standard for securing home and small business networks. Most vendors now offer hardware and software that supports WPA including Windows XP SP2 which offers support for WPA using a Preshared Key (PSK) also known as a passphrase.
The first thing you need to do is log into your router and change your wireless network name from whatever default the router manufacturer has given it and create a passphrase. I would recommend doing this from a wired computer.
Once you are logged in to your router go to the wireless section. This will vary according to your router model but look for the fields labeled SSID and Passphrase. Now enter a value for each of these fields. It is a good idea to use some random characters in the SSID and enter a long string of all random characters for the passphrase. (I make my passpharse 50 characters; you can use up to 63).
TIP: Enter values for SSID and passphrase in notepad first so that you can just copy and paste them as you need them. This also decreases the chance of a typo.
While you are logged in to your router it may also be a good idea to change your router password from the default if you have not already done so.
Ok, now it is time to configure windows XP on your computer. First unplug your network cable from the back of your PC.
- Click on Start / Control Panel and double click the icon 'Wireless Network Setup Wizard'. If you do not see this icon then your computer may not have Windows Service Pack 2 installed. Click on start / All Programs / Windows Update and download it.
- When the wizard pops up click next
- Copy your SSID from notepad into the field labeled 'Network Name (SSID)'
- Select 'Manually Assign a Network Key'
- Put a check in the box 'Use WPA Encryption ...'
- Click Next
On the next screen do the following:
- Uncheck the 'Hide Characters as I Type' checkbox
- Copy and paste your passphrase from notepad into the 'Network Key' field
- Click next
On the next screen you decide how you want to setup other devices on your network. If you have a USB Flash drive then choose that option, it will save you some time. You will simply have to plug the USB drive into any other wireless computer and the configuration is done automatically. If you do not have a USB flash drive just manually configure each computer in the same way as above.
Well that about covers it. You now have a secure wireless network.
C Henry is a computer support writer for Computer Tech Support, a troubleshooter and toolbox for experienced and beginner computer techs.
Showing posts with label Windows XP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Windows XP. Show all posts
Monday, August 18, 2008
Windows XP – How to Run a Time Server using NTP
Time synchronisation in modern computer networks is essential. It not only provides the only frame of reference between all devices, it is critical in everything from securing, planning and debugging a network to providing a time stamp for applications such as data acquisition or email.
Microsoft Windows XP has a time synchronisation utility built into the operating system called Windows Time (w32time.exe) which can be configured to operate as a network time server. It can be configured to both synchronise a network using the internal clock or an external time source.
For many applications, an internal clock can be quite adequate, although, on a network problems can arise such as sharing network files or in some environments even fraud and so it is vital for security reasons to use an accurate timing source for your network.
NTP (Network Time Protocol) is a protocol already installed on Windows XP and is used by Windows Time to keep machines synchronised to the single time source. There are several timing sources available on the Internet but Microsoft and others strongly recommend that you configure a time server with a hardware source rather than from the Internet where there is no authentication.
Specialist NTP servers are available that can receive a reliable time source via the GPS signal or specialist radio transmissions that get their time from atomic clocks.
To configure Windows Time to use an external time source
Run Registry Edit and locate the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Timeparameters
In the right pane, right-click Type, then click Modify
In the Edit Value box, under Value Data, type NTP and then click OK.
Now as before in the Config folder, right-click AnnounceFlags, Modify and in the Edit DWORD Value box, under Value Data, type 5, then click OK.
Locate and click the following
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeTimeProvidersNtpClient
In the right pane, right-click SpecialPollInterval, then click Modify.
In the Edit DWORD Value box, under Value Data, type the number of seconds you want for each poll, ie 900 will poll every 15 minutes, then click OK.
Now enable the NtpServer:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeTimeProvidersNtpServer
In the right pane, right-click Enabled, then click Modify
In the Edit DWord Value box, type 1 under Value data, then click OK.
Now in the right pane, right-click NtpServer, then Modify and in the Edit DWORD Value under Value Data type Peers, then click OK.
To configure the time correction settings, locate:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Timeconfig
In the right pane, right-click MaxPosPhaseCorrection, then Modify, in the Edit DWORD Value box, under Base, click Decimal, under Value Data, type a time in seconds such as 3600 (an hour) then click OK.
Now go back and click:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Timeconfig
In the right pane, right-click MaxNegPhaseCorrection, then Modify.
In the Edit DWORD box under base, click Decimal, under value data type the time in seconds you want to poll such as 3600 (polls in one hour)
Exit Registry
Now to restart windows time service, click Start, Run and type:
net stop w32time && net start w32time
And on each computer, other than the domain controller, type:
W32tm/resync/rediscover
And your time server should be now up and running.
Copyright 2008 © Richard N Williams
Richard N Williams is a technical author and a specialist in the telecommunications and network time synchronisation industry helping to develop dedicated time server products; ethernet clocks, GPS time servers, NTP servers, digital wall clocks, atomic clock servers and SNTP time servers. Please visit us for more information about NTP products and NTP servers
Microsoft Windows XP has a time synchronisation utility built into the operating system called Windows Time (w32time.exe) which can be configured to operate as a network time server. It can be configured to both synchronise a network using the internal clock or an external time source.
For many applications, an internal clock can be quite adequate, although, on a network problems can arise such as sharing network files or in some environments even fraud and so it is vital for security reasons to use an accurate timing source for your network.
NTP (Network Time Protocol) is a protocol already installed on Windows XP and is used by Windows Time to keep machines synchronised to the single time source. There are several timing sources available on the Internet but Microsoft and others strongly recommend that you configure a time server with a hardware source rather than from the Internet where there is no authentication.
Specialist NTP servers are available that can receive a reliable time source via the GPS signal or specialist radio transmissions that get their time from atomic clocks.
To configure Windows Time to use an external time source
Run Registry Edit and locate the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Timeparameters
In the right pane, right-click Type, then click Modify
In the Edit Value box, under Value Data, type NTP and then click OK.
Now as before in the Config folder, right-click AnnounceFlags, Modify and in the Edit DWORD Value box, under Value Data, type 5, then click OK.
Locate and click the following
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeTimeProvidersNtpClient
In the right pane, right-click SpecialPollInterval, then click Modify.
In the Edit DWORD Value box, under Value Data, type the number of seconds you want for each poll, ie 900 will poll every 15 minutes, then click OK.
Now enable the NtpServer:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeTimeProvidersNtpServer
In the right pane, right-click Enabled, then click Modify
In the Edit DWord Value box, type 1 under Value data, then click OK.
Now in the right pane, right-click NtpServer, then Modify and in the Edit DWORD Value under Value Data type Peers, then click OK.
To configure the time correction settings, locate:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Timeconfig
In the right pane, right-click MaxPosPhaseCorrection, then Modify, in the Edit DWORD Value box, under Base, click Decimal, under Value Data, type a time in seconds such as 3600 (an hour) then click OK.
Now go back and click:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Timeconfig
In the right pane, right-click MaxNegPhaseCorrection, then Modify.
In the Edit DWORD box under base, click Decimal, under value data type the time in seconds you want to poll such as 3600 (polls in one hour)
Exit Registry
Now to restart windows time service, click Start, Run and type:
net stop w32time && net start w32time
And on each computer, other than the domain controller, type:
W32tm/resync/rediscover
And your time server should be now up and running.
Copyright 2008 © Richard N Williams
Richard N Williams is a technical author and a specialist in the telecommunications and network time synchronisation industry helping to develop dedicated time server products; ethernet clocks, GPS time servers, NTP servers, digital wall clocks, atomic clock servers and SNTP time servers. Please visit us for more information about NTP products and NTP servers
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