Quick help on securing wireless router?

[wiggerbeater]

So I have a linksys wireless router and it works fine. I never secured it though. I thought I should get around to doing it. What is the first step? Do I change the settings on the main computer first? Or the one that is routered wirelessly?

What type of security type should I use? There is shared, wpa personal, wpa2 personal, wpa enterprise, 802.1 etc... Also, what encryption type would you suggest? thanks.

Do I have to shut the router off or anything while doing this?

[Keymaker]

The first step is to post what type of router you have.

WPA2 Personal

No, the router dosn't need to be restarted. The profile for the computer must have the same password to access the WIFI network though.

[taz480]

I can't answer all of your questions cuz I wanna watch your thread so I can better understand the different encryptions,, as well.....but.....

I do know you definitely wanna change all ur settings on an Ethernet based machine. If you have the wifi machine already talking and change your security from that machine, it will stop communicating as soon as you save changes. Best to just do it from a machine that's wired. That way you keep constant communication with the router as you set up each wifi security setting.

[Keymaker]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wpa2

Some good advice. http://wifinetnews.com/archives/002452.html (Taken from the Wiki)

That's another thing. Always, always! configure the router through a wired connection first!

(Some Linux users may find out that WPA is not available by default)

[wiggerbeater]

I have a wrt54gl wireless router. So I should set up the security on my hard connection, then do the same thing to my wireless connection?

[taz480]

Yes

[wiggerbeater]

thanks guys. i cant find the security setup though. on vista i can just double click the connection. where is the option under xp?

[taz480]

Crap!...........Im trying to remember.............I believe it's still "Properties" except in XP the connection properties isn't the darker, bold default click option in the right click menu like it is in Vista. Try right click the connection, then choose properties. Another way is to open the wireless connections found window and then click something that says manage wireless networks.

EDIT

Youve already set up your new wifi security on the router, right? Now ur trying to set the same security on the wireless computer??

[paul9]

Point your browser to http://192.168.1.1 - login using user id (blank), password should be "admin" unless you changed it. Which is a very good idea.

[Keymaker]

I have the same router.

First, make sure you are connecting to the router with a cable, not wirelessly.


Edit, (What Paul wrote) Type in 192.168.1.1 in the address bar. User: Is blank. Password is Admin. This will open the web base configuration. Go to the "Wireless" tab.

WPA2 Personal.

Set a password of a good mix of Letters, Numbers, and symbols. (Look at my Sig) Write it down. Enter this password in the Client software of the computer. Your wireless card software.

Change the default password and user name for the router as well. You don't want Admin for the router's password.

I would also disable access to the web based configuration to the router wirelessly. The only way to access the router is through the cable then.

I have a wrt54gl wireless router. So I should set up the security on my hard connection, then do the same thing to my wireless connection?

You just connect to the router with the cable. That's it. Always configure the router with a cable connection, never wirelessly.

You should know that the router does have a "one touch security feature". I never used it though. Read the manual.

[taz480]

Point your browser to http://192.168.1.1 - login using user id (blank), password should be "admin" unless you changed it. Which is a very good idea.

I think he's already set up the router and is now trying to match the security on the wifi machine, I think. I'm still waiting for confirmation on that.

[paul9]

That one is a matter of trying to connect to the wireless networks, usually using an icon in the system tray. At this point an option to add the network password should be available.

[wiggerbeater]

I think he's already set up the router and is now trying to match the security on the wifi machine, I think. I'm still waiting for confirmation on that.

Yes, the router has been set up for months and works well. I just never got around to securing it.

[Keymaker]

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper

Might want to update the firmware first. I know this router has an access restriction problem with the old firmware.

[taz480]

No, I meant that I thot you had set up the security on the router. As paul said, go to http://192.168.1.1 in ur web browser, type "admin"(w/out quotes) in the passwrd field, this will bring up the Linksys firmware. Click the wireless tab, then the sub tab-security. Set it to WPA2, TKIP-AES, and make up a key of at least 20 characters(letters and numbers) and WRITE IT DOWN ON PAPER. Click save changes. Then when it says changes have been made, click continue. The router is done.


Go to the wireless machine. Go to Network Connections. Right click the wireless connection and choose Properties. Somewhere you should find a tab that says Security. Here you can enter the same encryption perrameters, WPA2, TKIP+AES, and the same key you made up. Also set it to always connect when in range. I don't remember exactly but it's there somewhere.

If you need me to, give me a few minutes and I will go install one of my wireless PCI adapters in my XP machine, let me know.

[Keymaker]

He may have a NICS" software client...

Are you using Windows to mange your WIFI connection or the software?

[taz480]

Good point. What brand is the wireless adapter? If it's anything but Linksys, go into the software and find something that gives you the option to let Windows handle the connection. I've never had a Linksys wireless adapter but I would trust their software more than say a D-link or Belkin. My wifi PCI card is Belkin and I will only let windows run it. Probably best to let Windows handle any adapter, including Linksys. Just my opinion.

[Keymaker]

Why let Windows handle it? The software is coded for the NIC....

My laptop is an Intel, I use the Intel client. It is feature rich... Soon to upgrade with an atheros mini PCI

[wiggerbeater]

thanks guys. I had the wireless card installed at the factory by dell.

[Keymaker]

What kind? Do you use the software for it? If so, enter the password and SSID name in it that you used for the router.