How do I secure (encrypt) my wireless network so that...?

Question

...only my main computer and laptop can access it? I don't want strangers accessing the wireless network.

Both the computer and the laptop are wireless (the acutally wireless dsl gateway is downstairs while the computer and laptop are upstairs- how ever if needed I can connected the ethernet cable to my laptop to do what I have to do)

The Gateway is an Actiontec and the model is a gt704-wg... plz help! thanks bunches!!! if you can give me a site or detailed steps that would be great! thanks again!!!

fyi, i don't have a owners manual for the gateway~ tds sent the box like that, and i know how to have it connected to the wireless network its just that I want to secure my network... thanks again

Answer 1

ahh another Qwest modem i have the 2700 hg-D very nice i might add but just got to your modem page and make sure your wireless setting are set with a key and thats all you got to do if you want help i know that modem very well i will help you set it on yahoo messenger Rob9029 just IM me

Answer 2

The following are a few places to begin:

http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html Walks through setting up a secure wireless network

http://www.compuplus.com/customerserv.php3?sid=wqi0i4dj031t958 You might want to contact tech support for this unit, directly. It doesn't indicate there is a charge involved, check that out first though just in case.

http://www.intel.com/personal/digital_home/home.htm A generic walk through done in first person form, so if you don't mind a story along with how to configure your wireless security

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/bowman_05february10.mspx Provided by MS for WinXP

http://www.intranetjournal.com/articles/200307/ij_07_10_03a.html

http://network.jacklewis.net/how-to-set-up-a-secure-wireless-network.html A number of informative links from this site...likely to offer a good deal of info for you

A recommendation from my end, choose WPA over WEP, you'll get the meaning of that once you have checked the info above, but really it is the type of security you can choose for keeping other unwanted visitors out of your network. WEP is easier for a hacker to crack into whereas WPA so far is quite secure.


Good luck, I'm sure you'll get lots of other very helpful answers

Answer 3

The most important ingredient is making sure that the encryption code is identical on both sides of the connection.

PC ---------> Router (gateway)

Hope this helps.