Disabling wireless internet at specific times
Wireless access, Wireless in 2010, Wireless Internet, Wireless Network, Wireless networking, Wireless security
Is there a method for disabling wireless internet from our routers at a specified time every day? When the offices close the wifi closes as well. We have seen some horrible traffic from late nights presumably from the parking lot.
Software/Hardware used:
Software/Hardware used:
ASKED:
August 24, 2010 2:31 PM
UPDATED:
February 22, 2011 4:05 PM
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Answer Wiki:
I would highly recommend strengthening the authentication/authorization on your wi-fi. WEP and WPA are no longer strong enough. WPA2 and other authentication methods (LEAP, PEAP, EAP) are better. Are your AP's Cisco based or do they have command line access? It might be possible to script some type of scheduled task to shutdown the wireless interface at a specific time and then restart the interface the next morning.
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I agree. Authenticated access controls (WPA2-PSK or 802.1X) are definitely the way to go. However, if there’s a reason you don’t authenticate WLAN access (like this is a guest WLAN or free Wi-Fi hotspot), you have other options.
I don’t know of many wireless routers that can enable/disable radios on a defined schedule. But most wireless routers (even inexpensive home routers) have firewall rules that can be used to block off-hours traffic originating from wireless. For example, on a Linksys router, Access Restrictions can block traffic on specified days or during selected hours. Firewall rules won’t stop users from connecting to your WLAN off-hours, but they can prevent everyone from using your wireless to reache the Internet or anywhere else. That might be enough to solve the problem you’re trying to solve.
Lisa hit the nail on teh head – 1) authentication and encryption and 2) set up an Access Restriction rule on your router…