How to Secure a Linksys Wireless Router

The advantage of unplugged Internet access that wireless routers provide can be marred by its vulnerability to hacking attacks. To prevent such attacks that can provide hackers with unauthorized access to your wireless network, you need to secure your wireless router. Wireless routers of various brands are available in the market today.

As wireless router reviews will reveal, these products have powerful transmitters that provide long range Internet coverage that extends beyond your homes. If you haven't secured your Linksys wireless router, eavesdroppers lurking around your house can take advantage of it to gain unauthorized access. You can stop this from happening quite easily by choosing the best wireless router and enabling various security measures that are built into it already.

Securing a Linksys Wireless Router

Before you can secure the Linksys wireless router, you need to set it up properly. To set up your wireless network, you must first connect it in series with the modem, which is connected with the Internet super highway. Read the wireless router manual for exact details on how to set up your wireless network. Get grounded in wireless networking basics, before you go ahead.

I assume that you have connected the wireless router with your modem are now ready to configure it. To do that, you must first connect use a networking cable supplied with the router and connect wireless router with your PC for configuration. Use any of the ports on your wireless router, other than LAN or WLAN connection ports for the purpose. Switch on the router and your computer. Then follow instructions presented below. These are generic guidelines on how to secure a wireless router (Mac or Windows based PCs). For basic Linksys wireless router setup, refer manual provided with the device which will have model specific instructions.

Open Web Browser & Type Address
To access configuration settings of wireless router and implement security measures, you need to type an address in the browser. This address is different for routers of different brands. Connect to the Internet on your PC and type in following web address - 'http://192.168.1.1'. This will open up settings menu of your Linksys router.

Run Basic Setup
Once you enter the address and hit enter, a pop up window will open up, asking for a log in name and password. Enter 'admin' in the password window and leave login box blank, before hitting 'enter' button. Once the setup page opens, click on the Internet setup tab. For maximum security, it is best to opt for static IP addresses. You will have to enter all the IP address details that are specific to your ISP. It will include the subnet mask address, gateway address and IP address. Enable DHCP server in the network settings below and also set maximum number of DHCP users.

Choose Wireless Settings
Then click on 'Wireless' tab and make changes in the basic wireless settings. Choose network mode to be 'Mixed' which will allow devices using different wireless networking standards (a,b,g,n) to work. Change the SSID name from Linksys to something else for security reasons. It would be best if you disable wireless SSID broadcasts.

Enable Wireless Security Settings
Next click on the wireless security settings tab and enable WPA2 personal wireless networking security standard. This is the best security encryption standard available currently. For details on how to secure wireless router using WPA, refer to the router manual.

Enable the MAC Filter
Enable the MAC filter settings for your wireless router to restrict access to your network. Only devices with MAC addresses that are included in the router MAC list will be able to access Internet through your network. You need to add the MAC addresses for connecting devices to the network. You can either restrict access for certain MAC addresses or allow only some MAC addresses to login. Click on 'Edit MAC Address Filter List' to add or delete addresses.

Set Administrator Login Name & Password
For security reasons, it is important that you change the administrator password. Click on the administration settings and change the router password. Also disable the 'Remote Management' facility. Save settings and close the browser window. It is a good practice to keep changing the wireless router password periodically.

You can rest assured that your wireless network is insulated from hacker attacks if you follow the simple steps listed above.