how do i secure a wireless network connection?

Question

i have a wireless network set up in my apartment and I do not know how to secure the connection

Answer 1

access the config page for the access point, change the default admin username and password. enable wep encryption and set a security key on your router/access point and computer.. change the default ssid as well to prevent unauthorized access. you could turn on mac address filtering as well, but you would need the physical address of your wireless card, which i believe can be obtained under system properties/device manager.

Answer 2

Each wireless router or access point differs but they are not all that different.

First establish a wired link between router and pc, do not use wireless to do this.

Record what you do on the router.

You need to select an encryption (WPA or WEP or whatever your unit provides)

Establish a preshare key and keep a record of this. This is much like a password. Activate the preshare key (TKIP in some common nomenclature).

Turn on MAC address validation. Enter all pc wireless device's MAC address in the MAC listing of the router. You can get the wireless device's MAC by going to each pc with wireless capability that you want to connect wirelessly, open command prompt (start - run, type in cmd and hit enter) and type "ipconfig /all" without quotes and with the space before / and hit enter. It will list the MAC address, which it calls physical address for wired and wireless ports - be sure to select the wireless MAC. Caution that some routers want you to enter the 12 character MAC address with a : between each 2 characters while others do not want any : entry at all.

Select an ssid that has no obvious relationship to your location (some use Smith Residence or Bob's House or 123 Elm St which is really a dead giveaway and very risky). I use something like Unit92134A9Q or whatever characters I feel like typing after Unit each time.

Be sure to configure the pc wireless to match the encryption, to have the preshare key, etc.

After a specfic pc has been configured, open command prompt and use the "ipconfig /all" command and see if you have a LAN IP address (something like 192.168.x.y where x = 0 or 1 usually and y is between 2 and 255). If you do not have a lan IP address something in the config of the router OR the pc wireless is incorrect and needs fixing. Do this carefully. Once you see a LAN IP address, remove any wired connection and then ping the default gateway and you should see 4 positive responses and you are done.

It can be frustrating to connect the security because it is exacting. This is why most people just don't mess with it and regret later.

Answer 3

When given the options for securing, I recommend that you use the MAC filtering.
If you go to start-run and type CMD then hit enter you will open the command window. Type IPCONFIG /ALL at the prompt and hit enter. You should see the PHYSICAL ADDRESS of the wireless connection you want to use. Write it down.
Go to the admin console for your wireless router. For help with the console and how to access it I recommend you visit the manufactures website and look for setup or administration/security help topics.
Once you are in the admin console security area, look for the mac filtering option. Add the physical address for the systems you want to grant access.
To everyone else out there you will show as an unsecured network, but they will not be able to connect to it. If you use WEP or other choices they will be prompted for a key. I feel that no prompt leaves them scratching their heads as to why they cannot connect.

Answer 4

You need to turn on the security capability on the wireless access point/router and also enable the same settings on your wireless card in your computer.

The security is called WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol), what you are configuring is the "key" that is used to encrypt the signal. Without the key, nobody else can connect to your network.

Answer 5

log into the router using the default web address
look for the wireless security tab or button set the security option to be on or enabled and follow the prompts

Answer 6

many of the above posts supply good suggestion. additionally observe, that when you positioned up the router wisely, and have the 1st laptop configured to attain connection (with the router & information superhighway), those settings could properly be migrated to the different instruments with the help of potential of a USB, and as a result save diverse frustration. (provided they're all domicile windows machines) For Vista/win 7 bypass to regulate Panel> community & information superhighway> manage on the spot networks> Connection tab: close to backside is link to 'replica this community...' XP might have a similar Wizard to end this activity. seem in Networking area.

Answer 7

Here is a tutorial with pictures:
http://www.custom-computerz.com/forums/routers.html

More directly:
http://www.custom-computerz.com/forums/routers/12904-setting_up_wpa_wireless_security_linksys_router.html