AboutAlexander Roberts Expertise I can answer almost all questions relating to setting up and delivering video streaming technologies (video over the internet).
Experience I work as a UK expert advising Higher Education institutions on implementing and using network video technologies.
Organizations Swansea University
Publications streamteam.eu
Education/Credentials I originally trained as a classical musician and later entered the IT field after working in recording studios. I have Bachelor of Music, BMus(2:1) and Master of Music, MMus degrees
Question I want to run a business and offer free WiFi access to the internet for my customers. I use a Linksys dual-N band wireless router and a DSL modem furnished by the telephone company and have a static IP address.
I have several questions and would appreciate advice on any of them.
1. I have a credit card machine (not wireless) wire-connected directly to the modem for obtaining credit card approvals. Could this connection be hacked by one of my wireless users who will be connected to the router?
2.I also need to connect to the router for system administration. I would prefer a wireless connection from outside the local network (such as from home) but can be wired directly to the router, if necessary. Can this be done securely? Is assigning a router user name and password all that is required?
3. I also have a video security system with DVR which has a network connection for remote monitoring and administration. Should this connection be made to the modem or to the router? Also, could one of my wireless users hack into this system?
4. Lastly, I would like to have a "Welcome" page which would be the first page a wireless user would see when they connect to my network. This welcome page would allow pass-through to the internet but would also have several menu items for local information pages. I can create a suitable page in HTML but where would it need to reside? My Linksys WRT610N router has a USB connection for external storage. Can I use an external device here to store the HTML pages I want. If so, how would I make the "Welcome" page automatically appear. Would I need server software to serve the "index.html" welcome page?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
John
Answer Dear John,
You question is quite long and involved but here are some general answers to you questions. The basic principle for securing the traffic on your network should be to limit the types of activity your connected users can get up to. This requires either a separate firewall as part of your router setup or some kind of network access control as part of the router setup. Please check with the operating manual to see what facilities the router provides. Essentially if you can limit the activity of users on your network to web and email only they you will be on the right track.
The credit card machine is on your network if connected to your router - as such you should assume that it is technically accessible unless you are assured otherwise by the card system vendor. Please contact your supplier and explain the scenario - this is too important not to check with the experts.
Any connection to your router is on your local network as it were, otherwise you would not be able to reach it. Even a wireless connection ultimately connects to the local network. However, there are methods for making the connection more secure, and using usernames and passwords is one. The other is to use a secure encrypted connection over SSL using another port on the router such as 443. This ensures all traffic is encrypted and theoretically unreadable by hackers.
The DVR can probably be connected to either the modem or router, but by the sounds of it you are probably running out of connections on your modem so the router is your best bet. Check with the DVR manual to see what kind of connection it requires.
As for the welcome page kind of hotel hotspot functionality I would recommend using some kind of management software running on a connected pc or a hosted service that your router is configured to work with such as http://worldspot.net. Try googling for 'hotspot' software as a start.
