How do I make my wireless internet connection secure?

Question

This is my router... please give me easy steps to follow!!

http://www.belkin.com/support/product/?lid=en&pid=F5D9230-4

I know this has been asked a lot of times, and I looked at the other answers but could not follow!

Are there any drawbacks to securing it?

Answer 1

The easiest way to set up a Wireless connection is to follow these steps:)
1. Download the user manual of ur router from http://www.belkin.com/support/product/?lid=en&pid=F5D9230-4
2. Start reading from Page 30, Step 3 "Configuring the router using Web-based Advanced User Interface". Open Internet explorer, type 192.168.2.1 & press Enter. Read page 31, 1st paragraph. Follow the steps. Remember, NO passwords.
Logged in?? Gr8.
3. Please switch to page 52 and start reading from section "Changing the Wireless Network name".
"If you make a change to the SSID, your wireless-equipped computers may also need to be reconfigured to connect to your new network name. Refer to the documentation of your wireless network adapter for information on making this change". It means that before u changed the name, the default name of ur wireless network was "Belkin G Plus MIMO_012345” or something like that. Whenever u switched ON ur computer, it identified the connection name and got connected (coz u dont have a password to connect to Belkin router's wireless network). We are setting up a password now so that noone except you can connect to this wireless network. Security reasons ofcourse.
4. Dont uncheck SSID checkbox. Leave it as it is. Just change the name u want for ur Wireless Network and click on Apply. The changes will be updated within 1 min. So, the Wireless Network name has been changed. But still outsiders can connect to it as soon as they switch on their notebooks. To avoid that, we will define a secure password (key) to your network. Alright? Lets do it.
There are 2 types of security keys u can create for ur network. WEP and WPA keys. WEP is less secure and can be easily cracked. So, we'll set up a WPA-PSK key. Its more stable, secure and widely used by corporations. Please turn to page 58.
5. Step 1 & 2 are understandable. Step 3, Enter ur preshared key means enter any password u want (8-39 characters long). I suggest you to use numbers and alphabets both...for eg.. Wg5R98Yb73Q. Open notepad and save the password u created so that u dont have to remember it. Click on Apply Changes. Router will update the changes you made within 1 min. Ur wireless network is secure now. But u haven't configured ur notebook to connect to the network coz now it requires a password (WPA key) to connect to it. U have the key saved in a notepad but outsiders dont..lol
6. Click on Start=> Control Panel=> Network Connections. Right click on Wireless Network Connection and select "Enable". Once it is enabled, the WAN will try to connect to network but it cant coz we haven't key in the password. Click once on Wireless Network Connection, and now look at the left side of the screen. Can you see "View available wireless connections"?? Click on it. Once the window is open, click on Refresh. Now, u will see all the wireless networks within the area. Select ur wireless network (the new name u gave to it) and click on "Connect". A pop-up will appear, insert ur password/network key (WPA key) and click on Connect again. That's it.

You are connected to a secure Wireless Network. Every laptop will need the password/network key to connect to your network, may be it ur friends or strangers.

There are NO drawbacks. U can always contact Belkin technical support incase of issues. They will solve it for you free of cost within the software warranty period. Software support warranty period is usually shorter than hardware warranty period. It means, they provide technical support for a shorter time than support for hardware issues (router malfunctioning or replacements etc.). I use Netgear WGR 614 v6. Excellent router with exceptional support. Technical support is for 90 days, however, replacement warranty is for 2 yrs.

Thanks!!

Answer 2

Here's the overview. Once you get this, you can use the instructions from the manufacturer.

First off, be sure that your wireless network works. That is, you get to the internet.

Then change the name of your network on your router. This is the SSID. It's defined in the wireless setup portion of the router.

Then turn off the ssid broadcast. It's going to be a checkbox somewhere in the wireless configuration on the router. This means that on your computer, you need to specify the name of the network manually in a profile. Other people won't be able to get on your network unless they know the name.

Then you can enable encryption. This is either WEP or WPA on your router. (Make sure your computer supports WPA if you go that way.) You usually pick a phrase and your router makes it a key. Then you must enter the same key into the wireless profile on your computer.

For most people, the encryption is too difficult, so they just turn off the ssid broadcast. That will stop most people from getting on your network, but doesn't protect the communication between you and the router. However, for most home users this isn't that big a deal. (It is a big deal for businesses though.)

The drawback to making your wireless secure is that you don't understand any of this. You really need to do some reading. You could also call belkin tech support and have them help you. Take notes.

It's hard to cookbook a procedure like this if you don't have any understanding of security. If all this sounds like too much, consider not securing your network. This just means that other people in your area might use your network, but you most probably have enough bandwidth to go around.

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

Kim Komando has a great guide on setting up a wireless connection at home.

http://www.komando.com/tips/index.aspx?id=1352