7 Easy Steps to Secure Your Wireless Router

D link DKT USBN 300 Mbps 4 Port 10 100 Wireless N Router DIR 615 US $9.95

D Link Wireless N Router US $14.97

Belkin Surf N150 150 Mbps 4 Port 10 100 Wireless N Router F7D1301 US $20.00

Linksys WRT54G 1 Port Wireless G Router WRT54G V8 US $18.99

Sprint Nextel MiFi 2200 Wireless G Router NOVATEL MIFI AIRCARD 2200 NO RESERVE US $40.00

Encore ENDSL 4R5G ADSL 2 Modem w 4 Port Wireless G Router US $11.16

Linksys WRT54G v3 54 Mbps 4 Port 10 100 Wireless G Router US $5.00

Westell Wirespeed 7500 10 100 Wireless Router WESTELL7500 US $1.24

Motorola NVG510 UVERSE WIRELESS GATEWAY MODEM ROUTER USED ONE DAY US $50.00

LinkSys Cisco Wireless N Home Router Model No WRT120N US $4.25

Netgear RangeMax Wireless N 150 Router WPN824N US $9.99

NETGEAR ROUTER DUAL BAND WIRELESS N GIGABIT BUNDLE WITH STAND AND HAS 4 PORT LAN US $79.99

NEW TP LINK TL WR740N 150MBPS WIRELESS N ROUTER US $10.32

Novatel MiFi 4510L Wireless N Router 4510L US $120.00

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Belkin N600 DB 300 Mbps 4 Port 10 100 Wireless N Router F9K1102 US $20.50

Belkin Wireless G Plus MIMO Router F5D9230 4 v3100 4 Port 10 100 w CD Cable US $14.99

NetGear WGR614 54 Mbps 1 Port 10 100 Wireless G Router WGR614NAR US $19.99

Rechargeable 3G Wireless LAN Firewall Portable Router US $54.99

ATT SBC 2Wire 1800HG DSL Modem Wireless Broadband Gateway Router Switch US $21.99

Apple Airport Express A1084 54 Mbps Wireless G Router M9470LL A US $31.00

Cisco Valet 300Mbps Wireless N Kit W Router Wireless N USB 20 Adapter US $59.99

Linksys WRT320N 24 Mbps 4 Port Gigabit Wireless N Router US $25.00

D link DIR 655 4 Port Gigabit Wireless N Router 86285E US $19.99

AirLink 101 AR686W 80211n 4 Port Wireless N Access Point Green Router US $54.99

AirLink 101 AR670W 150N 80211n Wireless LAN Firewall 4 Port Router US $47.99

Verizon Novatel MiFi 2200 54 Mbps Wireless G Router US $10.49

CISCO LINKSYS E1200 WIRELESS N ROUTER US $4.99

Ubiquiti Networks PicoStation 2 HP Wireless Router US $40.00

LINKSYS WRT54GS V72 10 100 4 PORT WIRELESS ROUTER W SPEED BOOSTER BY CISCO US $24.49

When you buy a wireless router it is not secure and its default configuration will allow unwanted users that are in the vicinity of your router to connect to the internet and “steal” your wireless router internet connection. They could also gain access to your PC and steal files and folders of data. Manufacturers leave the configuration “open” so that the user can easily set up the router and get it up and running quickly. However, there is a risk if the router is not secure.

Accessing Your Wireless Router's Configuration

To gain access to your wireless router settings and configuration menu then connect to the router either wirelessly or via a Ethernet cable. Open a web browser and type either:

http://192.168.1.1 or

http://192.168.2.1

1) Change Admin password

Most wireless routers ship with a blank password. It is essential that this is changed else a potential hacker could get into your router configuration and lock you out of your own hardware.

2) Change The Network Name (otherwise known as the SSID)

The default network name is usually made up of the name/model of your wireless router. This information gives a head start for a hacker and makes it easier for them to break into your network. Don't rename it to something like your surname or house name as this unnecessarily exposes personal information. Rename it to an alpha-numeric string - this can be up to 32 characters long.

3) Turn off SSID broadcasting

By default, a wireless router's SSID is broadcast so anyone in the vicinity of your wireless router can see that it. SSID broadcasting can be turned off thus making your wireless router virtually invisible.

4) Enabling Encryption

This is switched off by default. There is a choice of WEP, WPA and WPA2. Currently the latest encryption method is WPA2 so use this where possible. Both your wireless router and wireless PC adaptor must be configured to use the same encryption.

5) Mac Address Control

All hardware has a unique MAC address associated with it, including your PC adaptor card. This MAC address can be added to access control list in the wireless router. Only devices added to the router's access control list are allowed to be connected.

6) Update router firmware

It is recommended that the latest router firmware is downloaded from the manufacturer's website and installed in the router. This will hopefully fix any bugs that have been found for your router and also help with any known security flaws in the router itself.

7) Backup settings

Finally, backup all router settings. If you reset the router back to its factory default settings for whatever reason, your configuration can later be easily and quickly restored back into the router.

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