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How do I secure my wireless network connection with WEP or WPA?

I have just set up a wireless connection at home - whenever I log on it says that the connection is unsecure - how do I secure it? I have a new Toshiba Laptop and a Phillips Router. I saw something about a WEP key....where do I enter this?

Dave's Answer:

You are right to worry about this problem, actually, because any open wireless network is an invitation for neighbors and various unsavory characters to connect to your network as if they were on your local area network. This means that they'd be able to use your network-friendly printer, your networked hard drive backup system, and try to break into your computers too. In addition, they'd be able to use your network connection itself and if they were to download tons of illegal music, for example, the RIAA could get your ISP to shut you down, or if they downloaded porn or terrorism research data, well, the FBI could get involved. Not good!

Fortunately, it's pretty easy to secure a wireless network system: you need to log in to your router / base station (your Phillips unit), which is probably done by simply entering a special IP address in your Web browser (try 192.168.1.1 if the documentation that was included with the router doesn't explain). If that fails, you might need to hook the router directly to the computer via a USB cable, though those are definitely rare systems.

Once you've hooked up, you should find a multi-tab configuration tool that has one tab labeled "Security" or similar. Click on that and you should be able to find "Password" as an option or button. Click on that and it should give the options of WEP or WPA. I recommend that you choose WPA and use a long password - it's far more secure than WEP.

Here's an example from the configuration screen of my Linksys router:

Linksys Wireless wifi 802.11g router: configuration screen for security / WEP / WPA

As you can see, it's a bit complicated, but once you enter a password it automatically generates all the scary looking (hexidecimal) security codes: any of those will be what you would enter on your Toshiba laptop -- once -- to be securely connected forever.

I hope that helps you get your hatches battened down!

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Categorized: Computer and Internet Basics (Article 7525)
Tagged: 802.11g, security, wep, wifi, wireless internet, wpa
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Comments

Some other stuff I've heard, turn off the Broadcast SSID, though I couldn't seem to get this to work with my BEFW11S4....my Windows computers don't want to connect to it since they dont think it exists.

Also, WPA is the preferred encryption, I've heard WEP is easily cracked if your neighbor "really" wants to get in ;)

But yea, there's really not much to it.

Posted by: Adam at August 21, 2007 5:27 AM

Thankyou- very helpful!

Posted by: Barry at August 21, 2007 9:53 AM

to be honest with u
i`m already useing wireless connection
and it has WEB codes or somethings like this
any way >> i`m looking for any way to
enter this network with these numbers that they use >> i mean any way
and for more imformation i have every this for the networks IP >>>>>

BUT MY PROBLIM IN THE CODES FOR SECURTY NUMBERS

hope i can find the answer in as soon as u can

my best wishes

pova

Posted by: pova at December 13, 2007 1:49 PM

I have a neighbor who has a router and a "secure wireless internet connection." He has given me the name of the wireless connection and the "secure password." However, I cannot make my Windows XP pc connect to the internet connection - there isn't a provision, when I click on the "secure connection," for entering the password. Any thoughts or advice?

Posted by: William McKenzie at February 14, 2008 9:48 AM

my neibour is using wireless but its lock how i use the wiereless connection

Posted by: mansur at July 12, 2008 12:27 AM

I am networking but my connection says "unsecured", since it's already installed and working, how do I secure it? I don't need anyone looking in on me.

Posted by: Ralphine Troglia at October 26, 2008 1:19 PM

Thanks, I have been wanting to learn how to do this and it was SO easy...can't believe I paid someone $50 to do this at my office.

Posted by: Jonna at January 16, 2009 6:34 PM

Dave,
I have a new phillips wireless router which says 3 clicks and it is installed.
Having problems connecting using Windows Xp.
Could you advise on a typical installation please and any changes to be made to the settings.
Using BT as my ISP
THanks

Posted by: Simon at June 2, 2009 7:38 AM

hello i was just wondering if you could help me, i have got a wirless modem in my house for my laptop what i pay for each month and my friendcame the other day and said im onto your network, how do i put some kind of password onto the network so people can't hack my net

Posted by: Kieren Cattanach at July 26, 2009 1:28 PM

Hi! I am having problem with my wireless connection on my laptop computer - for some reasons, it won't let me connect to the internet anymore. Can you please help me on what to do? I have no idea...

Thanks,
Gladys

Posted by: Gladys Pestano at October 5, 2009 8:54 AM

I have a lot to say, but ...

I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!