What should I do to keep our computers safe? I run the PC and the laptop on a wireless router but know nothing of keeping it coded, what should we do - please keep any answers in plain english!

The only way to secure your wireless network is to encrypt the data. This scrambles the data so that no body else can access it.
There are two method of encryption in common use. WEP and WPA.
WEP was the first method used and has now been cracked and there are a lot of tools available that makes it easy for people to hack networks.
WPA is a newer standard and is a lot more secure.
Other methods such as MAC address control (The MAC address is the hardware address of the network adapter in your P.C) and turning of the broadcast of the network name will only prevent, casual hackers.
Any wireless router is insecure unless configured correctly

So....how do I encrypt with WPA?

Look in the settings of your router, try typing in to the address bar of internet explorer
192.168.0.1 and press enter. Then you will need to enter the username and password of your router (Not your ISP username and password) These will either be printed on the bottom of the router or in the instructions that came with it.
There should be a section called Security. look in here.
The exact method will depend on the exact make / model of router.
I would make sure that you have a ethernet cable to hand to make sure you don't accidentally lock yourself from out of you router set up.

the code came back page expired, so I had better dig out the router instructions......

Some very good tips here:

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelesssecurity/tp/wifisecurity.htm

I recently got a wireless router so I could connect the pc upstairs to the modem but keep it independent from the downstairs pc. I also use it for Xbox 360 when I want to go "live". It is all cable connected as I am on Virgin. I couldn't figure how to set security on it as there were loads of letters and codes etc on the routers home page, which meant nothing to a numpty like me. I suspected someone was using my connection wirelessly from outside my house as my pc was playing up so all I did was disconnect the antenna from the back of the router. This seems to have cured the problem, did I do right?

Best defence is to turn it off when you're not using it! No-one can hack a wireless connection if it's physically powered off.

your router address maybe 192.168.2.1 if the other doesnt work.

What make is your wifi router?

Go to start, run and type cmd if your using windows.

Type ipconfig

It will display the default gateway the IP address it gives you is the address of your router.

Type this in your browser, it will bring up the router configuration page.

Check your manual for the default username and password of the router however the most common usernames and passwords are admin and admin or admin and password respectively.

Once you have logged in there will be an option for wireless or wireless security.

In here select the type of security you want to use. Id recommend wpa-psk2 or at least wpa.

It will ask for a pass phrase. Use a strong one (more than 8 characters using numbers both cases of letters and punctuation if possible).

Submit these details to the router and you will be disconnected.

When you re connect your computer will ask you for the pass phrase.

All other computers in the house will need the pass phrase entering if they're connected wirelessly. This includes the xbox :)

Magic!! Even I can follow those instructions, Cheers.:thumbsup:

Go to start, run and type cmd if your using windows.

Type ipconfig

It will display the default gateway the IP address it gives you is the address of your router.

Type this in your browser, it will bring up the router configuration page.

Check your manual for the default username and password of the router however the most common usernames and passwords are admin and admin or admin and password respectively.

Once you have logged in there will be an option for wireless or wireless security.

In here select the type of security you want to use. Id recommend wpa-psk2 or at least wpa.

It will ask for a pass phrase. Use a strong one (more than 8 characters using numbers both cases of letters and punctuation if possible).

Submit these details to the router and you will be disconnected.

When you re connect your computer will ask you for the pass phrase.

All other computers in the house will need the pass phrase entering if they're connected wirelessly. This includes the xbox :)

Thanks Matthew
I managed to get to the page and change it, although it didn't ask for a password but where the security said none :shocked: it now has some! Thanks for your help

The only problem now is that I can't access the web via the laptop! What should I do?

The only problem now is that I can't access the web via the laptop! What should I do?

Enter the PassPhrase or Network Key you entered previously.

your router address maybe 192.168.2.1 if the other doesnt work.

What make is your wifi router?

also, mine's on 192.168.1.1 for some strange reason... took me a good few hours to figure that out :-D

Enter the PassPhrase or Network Key you entered previously.

Ermm I didn't enter one....

Ermm I didn't enter one....

Ermm, so how on earth have you got security enabled then? :rolleyes:

Ermm, so how on earth have you got security enabled then? :rolleyes:


no idea! Went to the relevant webpage just changed security on the tab and away it went, didn't need a password or anything, it's a Dynamode router, I have just emailed them to see if they can help cos the instructions I got with it didn't tell you how to do any of this, all I can do now is disable the security and turn off the modem at night....just a faff turning it on each time esp if you have to run upstairs...

no idea! Went to the relevant webpage just changed security on the tab and away it went, didn't need a password or anything, it's a Dynamode router, I have just emailed them to see if they can help cos the instructions I got with it didn't tell you how to do any of this, all I can do now is disable the security and turn off the modem at night....just a faff turning it on each time esp if you have to run upstairs...

Must be a default one then :huh:

Won't be hard to crack that, there must be an option to change the default one somewhere surely? Also, change the SSID (default network name, to me and you) to another name too.

there must be a way round this, I'm a bit scared of playing around with it in case I lock myself out or can't access the net! I'll wait to see what Dynamode say...

why don't you contact your isp? They should be able to give basic advice on setting up an encrypted network. Also, the ip address of the router is sometimes on the bottom of the box - failing that then Dynamode will help.

You may like to read this guide (http://uktsupport.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=12044)...

It is fairly simple to follow, but quite comprehensive.


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