Securing wireless connection

Hi, I will lend a hand if I can. The fact is, a lot of security advice IS incomprehensible!

I'll try and set it out here, but if anything is not clear, please check back! Also bear with me if I tell you something you already know.

There are four basic steps to set up wireless security, which are the same for most routers:

1) Login to your router
2) Change the router login password/username
3) Change the network name, or SSID
4) Enable WPA encryption

This is enough to secure the connection, though you can take further steps when you are up and running.

Here are the details:

1) Login to your router.
Type the router address in the address bar of a web browser. For this router, it is http://192.168.1.1

You should see a popup box. If you have not changed the password, enter username: admin and password: admin

This should bring up the configuration screen/user interface.

2) Change the router password.
If you haven’t set a password, this is a good place to start. Go to LAN setting >Password. Set new admin and username passwords and click 'Apply'.

Ensure this password is not easy to guess, or someone could log into your router and view/change all your settings. It's also a good idea to write this info on a label and stick it on your router.

3) Change the SSID (router name):
Go to Wireless > Basic, and change the SSID from ‘default’ to anything you like –as long as you can remember it. It is case sensitive, and you can usually use up to 32 letters – but don’t use something that could identify you, or your location. Click ‘Apply’ when finished.


4) Enable encryption
Go to Wireless > Authentication.. Select WPA-PSK - strictly speaking the correct option depends on your wireless adapter. However, this is usually a good choice to start off. You might also need to select Shared Key on this menu option – I’m not familiar with this router so bear with me.

You may see one or more new options pop up. I would start by leaving most settings at the default. However, under Pre-Shared Key/Network Key you should enter a long password, or passphrase, between 8 and 63 letters/numbers long. This can be any series of letters/ numbers, or you can use a phrase with numbers ( eg - 456HappynEWYeartoyou8899). It is case sensitive.

Note down the network key carefully. You will need this to connect wirelessly. (The network key may also be called a WPA shared key, PSK, pre-shared key, passphrase, authentication key). Click ‘Apply’ when finished.

That's it, you have done enough to secure your network, and can close the screen.

When you next connect wirelessly, you'll see the router with its new name in your 'available wireless networks'. When you attempt to connect, you are asked for the network key you set in Step 4. If all goes well, you can then save this and will connect automatically in future.

Hope this helps, but if it is not clear or doesn't work, please come back to Fixya. Good luck...