N Ideologics

Securing your router is an important step in protecting your identity. Don’t make the mistake of leaving your network open to passing traffic.

In most cases, if someone really wants to get into your wireless network, the chances are they’ll manage it. But with a secure wireless network, it’ll take them much longer which increases the chance of you catching them in the process.

We secure a wireless network by enforcing a code that restricts access to the network. When a computer tries to connect, it’ll prompt the user for the code – the user provides the code, and the computer connects. If you don’t have the code, you won’t get access.

Why secure my wireless network?

Do you trust your neighbours? Do you know your neighbours? Do you use online banking? Do you use passwords on websites? Do you talk to people on messenger? Would you mind if someone accessed your computer’s files? Basically, securing a wireless network will help put your mind at rest.

How do I secure my wireless network?

It’s easy, when you know how! Before you start though – make sure you are connected via the ethernet cable, as that way you can’t get locked out if something goes wrong. Then, you can follow the steps.

1. Click Start, click Run, type COMMAND, click OK.
2. When the black command prompt appears, type IPCONFIG then hit enter.
3. Now you should see a bunch of information appear, you can scroll up and down to view it all. Look for a ‘Default Gateway’ address – it’ll be four numbers separated by periods (as illustrated to the right). This will be the address to your router. If there’s more than one gateway, write them all down.
4. Open Internet Explorer.
5. Type in the address bar http://defaultgateway – replace defaultgateway with the address you found via IPCONFIG. Then hit enter.
6. It’s likely you’ll be prompted for a password. Look on the sides of your router to see if the login information is provided, or look in the user manual. In most cases, the username and password is admin – admin, admin – password, blank – admin or blank – password. Try them all.
7. Once you’re logged in, look for the ‘wireless’ settings or security section and click.
8. Change the router name to something you’ll recognise – such as mary, or jake. Don’t make it complicated with punctuation.
9. Next look for encryption. There will be several types, select one. WEP 64 bit is the shortest key, but also the easiest to crack.
10. Type a pass phrase in the pass phrase box, and click generate if a code doesn’t appear.
11. Write down the first pass key you see, as this will be the key you use to connect.
12. Save the router settings.