How can I make my wireless internet connection "secure". Please be specific.?

Question

I am referring to a wireless router that i just purchased. I'm afraid to use it without the connection saying it's secure in the list of wireless network connections. Can someone tell me how to make sure this connection is secure please? I have obtained a key but it doesn't seem to make a difference when I enter it....UGH!!

Answer 1

I would also only allow connections from your specific MAC addresses. These are the unique identifiers for each network card. With your pc/laptops on, look at your router connections and only allow those.

Be sure to turn off File Sharing in each pc. That will close another point of weakness.

And lastly, realize that NO wireless network is ultimately secure. If you are running a busiiness, wireless will put you at risk.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/security/wireless.mspx

Answer 2

Access the configuration for your wireless router (check your documentation) and enable security/encryption - this will require you choose a key, which any PC that wishes to connect to your network will require.

Most routers also let you turn off the SSID broadcasting - which is the signal being sent out letting other PC's know a connection exists. If you turn this off, you'll enter the SSID manually on whatever PC you use to connect to the network with, your router configuration should let you type in an SSID (it's just a name/pointer) which you can use.

Answer 3

This possibly don't have some thing to do with people "tapping" into your community, yet quite instantaneous interference. you do not by probability have 2.4 GHz phones do you? those may reason flaky instantaneous connections, because they could overlap the instantaneous signals. 5.8GHz or 900MHz phones gained't reason interference.