Making wifi safe

[telboy1938]

Not being very streetwise re computers I wonder if anyone can tell me in plain language how I can set my router connections so that other people cannot use my wifi connection. Thanks...Telboy

[TEAK36]

There are various levels of security, but most people I know use WEP encryption. Its been a while since I set mine up so I will try to remember everything.

First of all you need to connect your router to your PC by the ethernet cable.You should then be able to access your router settings by typing in 192.168.0.1 (i think this is the address) into your web browser.Somewhere in the router settings you should be able to select WEP encryption and you will be asked to choose a string of 26 letters/number called a hexadecimal code (e.g 1a2b3c.etc).You should make the code up yourself and make a note of it as you will need to enter the same code into your PC.I think you then just save your settings.

Now go into your pc and go to start>connect to>show all connections.Right click on your wireless connection and go to properties.Click on the wireless networks tab and you should see the name of your ruoter in the main box.Click on the router name so that it is highlighted and then click on the properties box. In network authentication drop down the options and select open, select WEP from the data encrytpion drop down, and now type in the 26 digit/letter code that you enetered into your router.Now click on ok.

Remove the ethernet cable connecting your router to you pc.Now try and connect to your wireless connection. If it does not work first time, try shutting everything down, then rebooting everything, but making sure that the router is switched on for about 2 minutes before you switch your pc back on.

good luck!

[BillyNoMates]

You should also restrict the connections to the router by MAC address.

This is a physical address unique to each network adapter on each laptop or PC. I.e. only allow your PCs to connect to your router.

You should also disable the router from broadcasting the SSID (the name of your wireless network).

If you need more details I will elaborate.

[dodgyshirt]

Use WPA encryption, not WEP as it is the stronger of the two.
Also, alter the the manufacturers default log-in password to one of your own choice to prevent anyone hi-jacking your router.
Incidentally the address supplied by TEAK36 will not necessarily be the correct one for your router as this can vary depending upon the make.

[Beswad]

Great answer TEAL36. I on wired ADSL modem at the moment. I wanted to go wireless but I have concerns about security.

BillyNoMates can you please elaborate?

[telboy1938]

Hi, Telboy here again...You guys are really trying but I still haven't managed to successfully follow your instructions.
I note BillyNoMates has offered to elaborate on his recommendation...so may I take you up on it.
When I enter the 192.168.1.1 in my address bar I get a window open requesting username and password. I've tried every combination I can lay my hands on but am unable to proceed.....Many thanks guys...I'm in your hands.

[ryepie]

The default username and password should be mentioned in the documentation for the router. If you do not have the documentation then try a site like www.routerpasswords.com which lists the default details for various routers; if that doesn't have it then do a google search to find other sites like that one.

[OBonio]

If you've not tried it, 'admin' and 'password' are a common combination of default username and password for wifi routers.

[LeMarchand]

If the router is second hand, then it's normally best to find the "reset" button to restore the settings to factory defaults which will enable you to use the default admin logons.

[ACtheTROLL]

Look on the manufacturers website .... there should be a manual there somewhere

Unfortunately this is a technical subject ... so you are going to have to accept that some of the explanation will be tekkie (everybody is introducing a little more ... and unfortunately it's all right!)
this will get you started (or finish you off!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11

but actually ... WEP combined with named MACs should be good enough.

Dodgy is right .... but so long as you shut the door - how much effort is anyone likely to spend picking the locks?

I travel quite a bit ... and I never have a problem finding an open connection ... wherever I am.

so don't get paranoid ... just careful
And if you become expert .... you can always change the locks later