By: Danny

What is a Router? A specialized computer device purchased by the customer from a computer store like Radio Shack or Ellingson Sales & Computer, that allow your computers to connect to each other (local area network) or to the Internet (wide area network). Desktop & laptop computers with corresponding wireless adapters can then connect to a wireless router without any cables.

wireless router securing

Recently an OMU Customer called to warn of an instance of unauthorized access into their wireless router network. All a person needs is a laptop supporting a wireless connection and proximity to your unsecured wireless router network to gain access to your unsecured wireless router, your PCs, and your Internet connection and in this situation we need a wireless router security to protect.

Usually the “criminal” drives through neighborhoods searching for unsecured wireless router networks to access. Once found they can log onto your router, access the Internet, or access your computers. There are some easy steps that every wireless router security network user can take to avoid being a victim.

First, make sure the signal is encrypted between the wireless router and connected computers using Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP) or the newest encryption feature, Wireless Protected Access (WPA).

And then limit which computers have access to your wireless router network by assigning their Media Access Control (MAC) addresses in your router. Computers without their MAC Addresses assigned in your wireless router configuration are prevented from connecting to your wireless network.

Last, secure the PCs on your wireless router network by using firewalls, anti-virus software, anti-Spyware, and adjusting PC file sharing settings. Of course all these process is packages from wireless router security.

The Basic From Wireless Router Security

Setting up a wireless router is easy. Essentially you turn your cable or DSL modem off and your wireless router on. For ease of setup and configuration, manufacturers ship wireless routers with all security disabled.

Password protect the access to your router’s internal configuration, to access your router’s internal setup, open a browser and enter the routers setup URL. The URLs for D-Link and Linksys routers, two major manufacturers of wireless routers, are http://192.168.0.1 and [http://192.168.1.1], respectively. For other routers, please consult your manual.

Change the default SSID (Service Set IDentifier), the SSID is the name of a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network). Routers ship with standard default SSIDs. For example, the default SSID for Linksys routers is, not unsurprisingly, “Linksys”. Enter a new name for network. Don’t use something like “My Network”.

linksys wireless router security

Disable SSID broadcast, Wireless enabled computers use network discovery software to automatically search for nearby SSIDs. To prevent your network name from being discovered, you must disable SSID broadcast. Choose “Disable SSID” to make your network invisible. Since your wireless network is now invisible, you will have to configure your computers to connect to your wireless network using the new name. First you configure your router to use encryption using an encryption key of your choice. The actual process of configuring your router for encryption varies from router to router. Please consult the router’s manual.

Security is a concern for a lot of people that use wireless networks. There are many different types of wireless routers available in the marketplace. There is of course extra-added security by limiting wireless access by MAC address.

Other post you may be interested in reading: prepaid wireless phone service and wireless burglar alarm