how do i secure my wireless network connection?

Answer 1

Type your router's IP address into your browser's address bar. You can find the IP address in your router's manual. You'll be prompted for a user name and password. These will also be listed in your manual.

You want to use WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) encryption to protect your network. You'll typically see this setting as WPA-PSK (pre-shared key). You'll be prompted to enter a password of eight to 63 characters--letters, numbers and symbols. The router will use the password to build an encryption key.

WPA2 is the latest and safest version of WPA. The only weak point of WPA2 is your password. So make it as strong as possible. Here is a tip that will help.

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/privacy/password.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/privacy/password_checker.mspx

Your router may use WPA, the forerunner to WPA2. If so, be sure your password has at least 21 characters.

The earliest security standard is WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). Don't use that; it is easily broken. Check the router manufacturer's site for updates. If there aren't any, don't use the router to go online.

Now you must update your computers. Click Start>>Control Panel. Double-click Network Connections. Right-click Wireless Network Connection. Select Properties from the pop-up menu and select the Wireless Networks tab. You should see your network listed under "Preferred networks." Select it and click Properties. If it's not listed, click the Add button. In the box labeled "Network name (SSID)," enter your network's name.

Under Network Authentication, select WPA-PSK. Select AES under "Data encryption." Under "Network key," enter the same password you used for your router. You must enter it twice to confirm it. Make sure "The key is provided for me automatically" is not checked. Click OK>>OK.

Answer 2

There are many ways, but the best is usually to enable WEP or WPA (better) protocol in your wireless router. You will assign a passcode that must be authenticated by every wireless device that attempts to connect using your wireless access point. This passcode will also be used to encrypt the data transfered over your wireless network. Read up on WEP and WPA from the many sources on the web.

Answer 3

That will be an option on the router. You need to find out how to log onto the router you have. Then there is probably something on the router that says security. You will need to enter an encryption. There are two types of encryptions (These two types are WEP and WPA. You should chose WPA because WEP can be hacked easy enough if someone so desires to.). You will select one of the encryptions and set a passkey for that encryption. You will need to set the password for your wireless connection on your computer. Now, noone can log onto your connection without first figuring out your password.

Answer 4

Put a password on it. Make sure it's something your wireless connected devices can handle(EX. Tivo only likes WPA paswords) Make sure your router is set to encript data. Your manuel should have info on how to do this