how do i password protect my wireless internet connection so that no one cant tap into it except me?

Answer 1

You can restrict the access to only certain machines in the Wireless Router's settings.

Every machine has a unique address called a MAC Address. To find out yours first go to the command line. You can choose the Run opton from the Start menu and type in cmd or command. In the command window type as below:

ipconfig /all

You might find multiple entries for "Physical Address". Note the one corresponding to your Wireless router. That is your MAC address.

Next step is to get into the Wireless Routers configuration page. You may have a menu link to open it. You can usually access it by typing the routers IP address - usually 192.168.2.1 or 192.168.1.1

Now find out something relating to Access Control, usually under Network Settings or Security. Go and add your MAC address to the allowed addresses. Deny all others.

HTH.

Answer 2

Go into your router's configuration and look for security settings. Look for WPA encryption. If your router only supports WEP encryption, check the manufacturer's website for an update that supports WPA.

WPA encryption is uncrackable with today's technology. WEP encryption is fairly easy to crack although advanced knowledge and specific utilities are needed. If your router can't support WPA, WEP is better than nothing but make sure you use 128 bit and change your secrets every few weeks.

MAC filtering is pretty much useless. I can bypass that in my sleep. It will keep the "looky-loo" types out but not the determined thief. Sniff a few packets, see what MAC addresses are connecting, and change my MAC address to one that's connecting. Although the MAC address is burned in by the manufacturer, you can set a locally administered MAC address in a few seconds.

You should change the SSID and turn off SSID broadcasts. This will hide you from the casual looker, but a determined cracker with a wireless NIC running in promiscuous mode and a packet sniffer will find you in a few seconds.

Make sure that you have set a hardened password on the configuration page! I come across well-secured wireless systems all the time that still have the default password set, making it child's play to disable the security.

Answer 3

Password Protect Wifi

Answer 4

Quick Internet Password Solution

Answer 5

Several measures you can implement on your router. 1. Filter access to your network by MAC. Add the MAC addresses of PC's you want to access your network and block all others. 2. Turn off "Broadcast my SSID" 3. Setup WAP or WEP encryption.

Answer 6

your router should have a setting for configuration of the WEP settings.

Answer 7

~ Try to turn off router when not in use...

~ The most extreme of all...

http://darwin916.com