How Do I Secure My Wireless Router

When one uses the Internet, security is the most important aspect of any browsing experience, yet it is the most neglected aspect as well. One can implement a number of security measures, but often even the basic security measures are not implemented. Securing wireless Internet access has become important, as most of us carry out a number of important banking transactions over the Internet. One part of securing the Internet access, is to secure the router. Router is a networking devices, which behaves as an interconnection between two or more computer network. It also interchanges data packets between the networks. Each of the data packet, which is exchanged, contains information about the address, that is used to determine the source and destination of the packet, so that the router can determine, if both the source and destination exist on the same network or if the data has to be transferred over another network. Since the router interchanges data between different network, it is natural that a user is faced with the problem of securing a wireless router. Let's find out how should it be done.

How Do I Secure My Wireless Router Connection

When one has a wireless network, the Internet user will naturally have to secure his wireless network. In the wireless network, more often than not wireless routers are installed. If you have a wireless network, you may also have a wireless router, hence want to know "how do I secure my router". So that you can change the wireless router configuration, you will have to connect to the router and open any web browser.

The first step is to change the default administrator username and password. It is better to reset both the username and password to something obscure, which will make it difficult for the hacker to get passed. However, you will have to ensure, that you make a note of the new username and password somewhere, so that in case you have to reset the settings, you will have the username and password available.

The next step is to change the WPA or WEP encryption. You will have to choose the strongest form of encryption, so that the router is secure. To secure my wireless router WEP, you will have to make changes in the 'Security' tab of the main router page. Choose WEP and then give it a password, with which you will be able to secure your router through WEP.

After WEP, the next step is to change default SSID. The routers come with the default SSID, therefore the same will have to be changed as well. It is recommended, that the default SSID be changed immediately, when you are configuring wireless security for your network. At the same time, you will have to disable SSID broadcast, as the network is broadcasted over the air after regular intervals. The SSID broadcast feature is necessary, while one is on the move. However, when you are using the network at home, this feature is not necessary, therefore should be disabled.

The MAC address or the physical address should be enabled, as it keeps a track of the MAC addresses of all the devices, which connect to the network. It is also recommended, that static IP address be assigned to the device. Normally dynamic IP addresses are assigned. You will have to turn off DHCP on the router. So that your computer cannot be directly reached from the Internet, you will want to use a private IP address for your computer. Firewalls should be enabled on the computer as well as the router. If you are not going to use your network for an extended period of time, you will want to turn it off.

So that your router is not hacked into, you will have to take the appropriate steps mentioned in this article. At the same time, you will also want to be careful all the time to ensure, your network is safe as the hacker will always find out ways to hack into your system.