Protecting Your Wireless Network with Tools Anyone Can Use - Securing Your Network
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Now that you have made your decision, let's move on to the how-tos. Please choose your router type and desired network encryption to find the right directions.
Linksys (most models)
Connect your hardware as per the manual.
Open a web browser.
Type "http://192.168.1.1" into the URL bar.
When asked to sign in, leave your user name blank. Put in Admin for your password.
Go to Setup -> Basic Setup
Fill in basic setup information as per your manual.
When you get to security, choose WEP and "128 bits 26 hex digits."
Enter a pass phrase. This will be used to generate the key.
Write the key down. You will need it to connect any other wireless device.
Click on Save Settings.
WPA
Connect your hardware as per the manual.
Open a web browser.
Type "http://192.168.1.1" into the URL bar.
When asked to sign in, leave your user name blank. Put in Admin for your password.
Go to Setup -> Basic Setup
Fill in basic setup information as per your manual.
When you get to security, choose WPA2 Personal, and then TKIP+AES.
Enter a security key. Remember what it is.
Don't forget to change that password. You will find that screen under Administration -> Management.
NetGear (most models)
WEP
Use an Ethernet cable to connect a computer to any one of the four LAN ports of the NETGEAR router.
In a web browser, enter the router's IP address, either http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1 by default.
When prompted for a Username and Password, enter the default username and password (admin; password) unless you have already changed it. NETGEAR recommends changing the default password to increase the security of your network.
Select Wireless Settings from the Setup menu in the left-hand navigation bar.
Under Security Options, select WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy).
From Security Encryption (WEP) > Authentication Type, select Automatic.
From Security Encryption (WEP) > Encryption Strength, select 64-bit or 128-bit. NOTE: You will need to configure your wireless computers with the same setting.
From Security Encryption (WEP) Key, select Key 1 and enter a key.
Click Apply to save the settings.
WPA
Use an Ethernet cable to connect a computer to any one of the four LAN ports of the NETGEAR router.
In a web browser, enter the router's IP address - either http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1 by default.
When prompted for a Username and Password, enter the default username and password (admin; password) unless you have already changed it. NETGEAR recommends changing the default password to increase the security of your network.
Select Wireless Settings from the Setup menu in the left-hand navigation bar.
Under Security Options, select WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key).
Under Security Encryption (WPA-PSK) > Passphrase, enter a passphrase.
Click Apply to save your settings.
Other tools
Your router does not have to work in a vacuum. There are a wide variety of other tools that you can use. Since you probably do not have a security budget set aside, let's take a look at some of the budget-friendly tools.
Clam Anti-Virus (http://www.clamav.net/) Sure the odds are low, but at least you are being polite to less protected users.
Wireshark (http://www.wireshark.org/) This is what is known as a packet sniffer. It helps you to get all the data on your network.
Now that you know how to keep your network secure, you have no excuse not to keep your data safe.
Disclaimer - Instructions given are for most router models. If you have setup trouble, you should consult your user manual. You may also want to consider contacting the customer service department of your router manufacturer. Also, any devices that connect to the secured network may have to take extra steps to connect to your newly-encrypted network. Always follow manufacturers' directions on operating-system-based instructions.
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
