Securing my network w/TiVo

You need to enable WEP on your access point, then redo the network setup on the TiVo and enable WEP there too, and enter the key from the router.

megazone said:

You need to enable WEP on your access point, then redo the network setup on the TiVo and enable WEP there too, and enter the key from the router.

Click to expand...

So, how do you enable WEP? That's what I was trying to find out.

Jon1 said:

Recently I set up a wireless network which includes TTG. My network is unsecured and I need to secure it ASAP. Can anyone explain how to do this? I am worried that once it's secure TiVo won't be able to access my network! I have a Netgear WGR614 router.

Click to expand...

I hope you're aware that WEP isn't all that secure. It's not hard to break it. It's better than nothing, but not by much.

The preferred way to secure wireless is with WPA, which is not available with Tivo directly.

When you connect a supported wireless adaptor on the USB port of your Tivo, it will ask if you want to enter a WEP passphrase automatically when configuring networking.

-Bob

bobino said:

I hope you're aware that WEP isn't all that secure. It's not hard to break it. It's better than nothing, but not by much.

Click to expand...

So should I even bother to enable WEP? And if so, HOW do I do it???Nobody I know seems to know how...

Just disable broadcast - this will avert 99.9% of people from causing harm. Its just as secure as WEP!

mshilling said:

Just disable broadcast - this will avert 99.9% of people from causing harm. Its just as secure as WEP!

Click to expand...

That's what I want to do! How do I do it?

With Linksys, open your router in a browser window (probably http://192.168.1.1 if you haven't set this up before; default password is "admin")
Click on Wireless Setup tab, you'll get "Basic Wireless Settings"
On Wireless SSID Broadcast, click on Disable then save settings.

A couple other things you can do.
1. (IMPORTANT) If you haven't done so, set a password (Under the Administration Tab)
2. You can also lock down the MAC addresses that are allowed to access your network (Go to Wireless tab, then Wireless MAC filter. You then enter the addresses for your Tivos and any laptops or other devices that access wirelessly and use the Enable and Permit Only options.)

Good luck!

Jon1 said:

So, how do you enable WEP? That's what I was trying to find out.

Click to expand...

I have a Netgear wgt624, so probably about the same setup. Go to your router web page. You aren't really going on the Internet, you are just communicating directly to your router via your browser. This is an address specified in your ... user's manual. (Mine is http://192.168.0.1 and yours may be the same.) There you will find all the settings for your router, including wireless security. Info on how to implement WEP or WPA security is also found in the, you guessed it, user's manual.

WPA is much more secure than WEP, but Tivo won't support WPA in its current state. I did just successfully add my Tivo to my WPA network, so I know it can be done. You will need more hardware: a wireless (or gaming) bridge and a USB to ethernet adapter. If you don't want to get more hardware, then you should implement WEP.

If I have my SSID broadcast turned on and decide to turn it off, will TiVo still be able to find the network? I am afraid if I play around with the router I will lose my connection.

mshilling said:

Just disable broadcast - this will avert 99.9% of people from causing harm. Its just as secure as WEP!

Click to expand...

Anyone with the tools to break WEP will also have the tools to see all networks whether they have broadcast disabled or not. Download netstumbler and see for yourself.

CuriousMark

megazone said:

You need to enable WEP on your access point, then redo the network setup on the TiVo and enable WEP there too, and enter the key from the router.

Click to expand...

So should I do it in 64-bit or 128-bit encryption? Does it make any difference?

Well, 128-bit isn't hard to break, and 64-bit is a complete joke. I would use 128-bit as the best option (and, in fact, that is what I use).

The best security you could get right now with TiVo is:
* 128-bit WEP
* Turn off SSID broadcast
* Use MAC filtering on the router to limit the clients allowed to connect

This isn't perfect, and anyone who really wanted into your network could still get in - there are tools that spot networks even with SSID broadcast off, MAC can be spoofed, and WEP can be cracked. But it keeps casual folks, neighbors, etc, from using your network.

I do hope TiVo implements WPA2/802.11i at some point. Depsite some statements in threads here, WPA2/802.11i is *not* weak, and there are no successful cracks at this point. Just brute force attacks on network using short/weak passwords, and that's a human issue.

Jon1 said:

If I have my SSID broadcast turned on and decide to turn it off, will TiVo still be able to find the network? I am afraid if I play around with the router I will lose my connection.

Click to expand...

Yes, it will work fine.

megazone said:

Well, 128-bit isn't hard to break, and 64-bit is a complete joke. I would use 128-bit as the best option (and, in fact, that is what I use).

The best security you could get right now with TiVo is:
* 128-bit WEP
* Turn off SSID broadcast
* Use MAC filtering on the router to limit the clients allowed to connect
...

Click to expand...

I disagree. The best option is to use a USB-Ethernet adapter (i.e. Netgear FA120) to a router supporting WDS and use WPA to secure WDS link. It is better for speed (less processing on Tivo) and security.

will792 said:

I disagree. The best option is to use a USB-Ethernet adapter (i.e. Netgear FA120) to a router supporting WDS and use WPA to secure WDS link. It is better for speed (less processing on Tivo) and security.

Click to expand...

With the added advantage of costing three to five times as much.

BS

I don't see anyplace in my TIVO setup screens to configure the network setup.

Where is it located (I am running version 6.2)

megazone said:

You need to enable WEP on your access point, then redo the network setup on the TiVo and enable WEP there too, and enter the key from the router.

Click to expand...

Thanks in advance,

Michael

MrBluEyZz said:

I don't see anyplace in my TIVO setup screens to configure the network setup.

Where is it located (I am running version 6.2)

Thanks in advance,

Michael

Click to expand...

6.2 is the software unit for the DirecTV combo boxes. DirecTV has chosen not to enable any of the networking features on the DirecTiVos, so the information in this thread applies only to stand alone boxes.

If you are interested in getting network features on your TIVo you can havk the box. Information is available in the Underground portion of this forum. I don't have DirecTV and haven't looked into this, so I have no idea how difficult or time consuming this is.

-Dylan

Bsteenson said:

With the added advantage of costing three to five times as much.

BS

Click to expand...

It depends. I already have Linksys WRT54G router next to Tivo as a WDS node for better wireless coverage so the only additional cost is USB-Ethernet adapter.

I agree that is more expensive to use a router for wireless access station. Not exactly 3-5 times though. My WRT54G was $40 after a rebate and FA120 $13 from eBay.