F'ed Up wireless

[pc_man_iac]

Ok I have a Linksys WRT 54GS Router, I have 3 otehr computers that are connecting via wireless fine, 1 desktop, 1Laptop, and 1 Mac Mini, also the PSP connects fine. My system on the other hadn will connect, and sometimes stay on for a long time no issuess, but than other times, I will be in MSN and their little tool willl pop up doing its report thing and find DNS problems, every time. I have tried 2different wireless receivers, and the one I currently am using, 1 was a USB D-Link, one was a Gigbyte one that came with my mobo, and now I am using another internal one an Airnet one. So I was just wondering if you guys had any help/answers you could provide me with, I am not using mac filtering, I have brought the laptop into this room to see if it is maybe in a blank spot for where the wireless transmits, it worked fine. The riuter is in the basment I am on the top floor and so are the other 2 computers/PSP and the laptop wanders from place to place within the house, no problem.

[Kougar]

I think this might help you: http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2003/01/13/how_to_dns_fix/ (http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2003/01/13/how_to_dns_fix/)

What little MSN tool is this, btw? I use the the same WRT54GS router here and do not have any DNS issues that I have seen. The router should be picking up at least two DNS addresses from your ISP when it is syncing with the cable or DSL modem. Just ask if you have any other questions with that router. :)

(And if you haven't done so recently, you should grab the latest firmware upgrade for your specific version #, it may be an almost 3 year old router but Linksys has been releasing updates to the firmware as recent as 2 months ago)

[Xero (1)ne]

i have a wireless linksys router and sometimes my dads toshiba satellite that he uses for work has trouble connecting, but once it does its on for good

i hate networking but wuht i would try is to remove all connections and run the connection setup wizard again

also after a long time i apply a windows sockets fix program that i found online, it helps repair network configuration damage(or somthan) that happens over time

[pc_man_iac]

have done winsock fix, have updated formware, have re done the whole router setup more than a few times

[Xero (1)ne]

firewall problem?

[Kougar]

have done winsock fix, have updated formware, have re done the whole router setup more than a few times

Again, what exactly is giving you this DNS error message?

And if you have never once upgraded the firmware on your router, you should definitely do so. You must also get the exact version # off the sticker on the underside of the router though: http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?childpagename=US%2FLayout&packedargs=c%3DL_Content_C1%26cid%3D1115416835852% 26site%3DUS&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper (http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?childpagename=US%2FLayout&packedargs=c%3DL_Content_C1%26cid%3D1115416835852% 26site%3DUS&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper)

[pc_man_iac]

i know i have, and for some reason it just started to work again today, ???? I have no idea why, it plagued me for like 3 days, and yes I know that i need the exact router version b/c if u dont know it you cant dl the proper firmware, I am not a complete nub when it comes to netwroking, I was just having some ridiculously wierd DNS problem, I am only a nub to 2 things, watercooling, and hardcore programming

[Kougar]

First I didn't call you a nub. Second, I was trying to be helpful because I know exactly what the differences in the version models mean. If you compare a v1 to a v5 WRT54G router, it will be a 100% completely different set up inside, both in terms of hardware and the OS running it. As far as I have seen there ARE no safeguards to flashing the wrong update, on the router or via their website download. Last but not least, most people technical-minded or not don't consider or don't bother with updating the firmware... considering the extremely massive list of changes in the changelog for their WRT54G and WRT54GS routers, I figured it is definitely something to try.

[pc_man_iac]

I wasn't suggesting that you called me one, its just it can be slightly frustrating when ppl, say oh yeah just do __________ and it should work, or make sure you know to dl ________ for model _________ , thats all. I assume that for the most part ppl, on this forum know a lot about well computer stuff to be blunt, some clearly more than others, and some even more clearer in certain areas than others, I was just hoping to get the router expert of the forums lol

[Absolut352]

I have several wrt54g's and they are the best routers ever.... if you get rid of the lynksis firmware and install a linux based firmware. I have 2 of these at opposite ends of my house acting as not only hotspots but bridge my network wirelessly so i dont have to run cables. I had all kinds of problems b4 and now i have none. Its worth checking out. I use this 1 http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/index.php but u can find out all info here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G

[pc_man_iac]

As it turns out while I was having these problems some master hacker **** hacked throught the Mac address, filtering, WEP128bit, and has been somehow using my router to stream/host illegal dloads of porn movies, and other movies!!!! WTF how does someone do that ****

[werty316]

Holy crap now that is crazy stuff. Better disconnect the router or changes some settings.

[Mirrim]

Yikes, that's pretty scary stuff. No experience with wireless configuration here and with stories like this, I'd almost prefer to keep it that way. ;P

[Kougar]

As it turns out while I was having these problems some master hacker **** hacked throught the Mac address, filtering, WEP128bit, and has been somehow using my router to stream/host illegal dloads of porn movies, and other movies!!!! WTF how does someone do that ****

You can't hack through mac address filtering (As far as I know, I don't claim to be an expert). The very big caveat here, is that it's a simple matter to change the router's settings and disable or remove the mac filtering, assuming someone uses this security measure.

The problem with any Linksys WRT54G and WRT54GS is that everyone that knows "admin" is the password can directly log into the router as an administrator and then change any settings they please, including bypassing any and all security precautions.

In your case, here's what I'd do:

Use the manual reset button on that router, log in, and change the default password to something alpanumeric. Remember with this router it will be case sensitive as well. Even better, there is an option to disable anyone from getting the log-in screen via wireless, thereby making it so only those people physically connected to the router via cat5e can even log into the router in the first place. Then change the SSID to something other than "linksys" or "wrt54gs".

Next, find the latest firmware and reflash to it, no matter what version this router claims to be using. If someone wanted to be truly evil it would be a simple matter to have flashed the firmware to give them a backdoor or whatever they pleased, and not even a hard reset would fix this. So I'd flash anyway, and repeat what I'd done above to lock them out again.

WEP security is easy to crack within hours, to as little as minutes if the person knows what they are doing. You should use WPA or WPA2 as it offers a good level above in protection. I would even suggest using a mac filter for all wireless users, only allowing those address you enter to gain net access. And never, ever, enable the setting that allows the router to be accessed from outside the internet for remote configuration. ;)


I know next to nothing about hacking, but I've found I can easily log into even the most secured wireless networks, especially linksys ones. If the SSID broadcasting "linksys" wasn't a big enough giveaway, it is a simple matter to google up a model #, look up the default log-in credentials to any router or device, then log in. No amount of security in the would will protect your house if someone already has a identical copy of the key to your front door and can simply walk in. ;)

[pc_man_iac]

A) already changed the PW to an alpha numeric
B) Had mac filtering on to allow only the certain macs on
C) Have already done so
D) it isn't someone nearby doing this they have managed to get through some other way
E)Never had it called "linksys" changed it right away
F)Turned the setting of access this router from outside of netwrojk range
G)WTF how does someone do this ****?

[DragonMaster]

Firmware security hole?

Not easy when you mark A, B, C, ... to know what you're replying to.

Have you blocked access to router from wireless?
You could change your router's IP address, disable DHCP (So it won't tell the hackers what your router's IP is automatically)

Are you sure that the MAC filter is enabled, and not just configured?

If the router is OK, I wonder if one of your wireless computers could be the problem. I didn't use wireless much, but I think that connecting to more than one network at once is possible? Maybe they got one of your comps connecting to their network and done something thru it?

Being you, I'd look for a 3rd or latest firmware.