Adding password to a network?

I've read the FAQs on this page and I didn't quite get it. Anyway, I have a wireless router in my house, and I'd like to know how to make it a "security-enabled" network by thus putting a password on it. Can anyone provide me with a step-by-step guide on how to do that? Thanks in advance.

 

What wireless router do you have?

JC

 

Log in to your router via your browser and log in (if not changed by you default log in password and IP address of the router is printed in the manual or on the router itself).
Go to wireless/security tab. There you can select wireless network mode- typically G-only unless you have some B devices (i.e. PDA or old notebook)
Wireless Network Name (SSID): choose whatever you want- it's a good idea to make it long and non-dictionary word due to weakness of PSK exchange implementation.
Make your SSID non-brodcastable.
Security mode: the best is WPA2-Personal
Encryption: AES
Passphrase: complicated and non-dictionary with as many characters and numbers as possible (*,$,^,!,~ etc.). Another words don't use passphrase similar to "vciuergrfbkvc%%giut5574::LOIn;" rather than "Adam123"
Group Key Renewal: probably default is 3600s and you can leave it that way.
Additionally you can enable MAC filtering- permit only listed computers to access the wireless network and type in your MAC address.

 

If you have a linksys the above steps are perfect, though to do a WPA - WiFi Protected Access, you have to have a RADIUS server. (That is also going to be required to set a password on your network). A better way for a novice without a RADIUS server to go is to just set a WEP key up, and use that as the password. I would also recommend setting up a Authorized MAC Address table, so that only your computers can get into the router as well. It's all under wireless if you have a linksys with default software.

Phoenix

PS - FreeRadius on Ubuntu runs awesome if you have an old computer with at least 256 mb ram, and it can be your radius server, and require a password at authentication.

 

Check your answers before making fuss. You have to have RADIUS server for WPA Enterprise. WPA Personal (also known as WPA- PSK- Pre Seheared Key) doesn't require it.
And WEP is an ancient security mode that lasts no more than 20 seconds these days.
Don't wanna be rude but if you intend to help someone check your recommendations before posting.
Regards.

 

I have Netgear Wireless Router MR814v2 with Linksys

 

Where do I find wireless/security tab?

 

Usually you connect a LAN cable to the wireless router (while not being connected wirelessly) and point your browser at http://192.168.0.1, although some permit configuration wirelessly, I never considered that a good idea.


Go to the router manufacturer's website and download the manual.

 

If it's not on the right side of the browser,it should be available for change when you first login to the router page.

 

What do you mean "point your browser at http://192.168.0.1?" I tried to connect to the router and clicking on that link, but it doesn't work. Sorry I don't know anything about computers

OK, I couldn't follow the steps, but I got to this page, what do I do now? I tried to changing Netgear from Public to Private, but it doesn't ask for password....

 

I think what he means is for you to type int the ip address of your router into the web browser and go from there.

 

Just click the middle icon labeled NETGEAR. That should open a window with what's on your network- a gateway and your computer(s)
Double-click the gateway and IE window opens and probably asks for password.
That's a detour of what we wrote previously- check youur router default adress and pass on the unit or in the manual.

BTW It's probably gonna be http://192.168.1.1

 

You didn't set a pw before did you? This is probaly why you not getting asked for one now. Look in the tabs underneath the task tab, I would think the security setting are in the manage network connections or wireless configuration utility.

 

I clicked on the Netgear icon, and I got the screen shown below. I then turned on "network discovery" and the only thing shown was Hunter-PC, and after I clicked that, there's the printer stuff...

 

Get the manual from here.

 

OK, let's start again.

First go to your router and find default login and pass+ router IP.
Or just click http://192.168.1.1 (just a wild guess )but you still need a login and pass.
So either on the router or in the manual.
When you find them do what I wrote in my first post or just check back when you are logged in.

EDIT: thanx @AKAJohnDoe
so http://192.168.0.1
login: admin
password: password

 

Be aware that if you change the router's security settings, you will need to make the corresponding change on each and every PC that connects to it.

That is one of the reasons to make router changes while hard-wired to the router rather than while connected wirelessly.

 

I briefly run through the manual provided by @AKAJohnDoe and it looks like this router supports only WEP security
You need to choose WEP 128bit (If I'm not mistaken it's the highest available)
SSID not broadcastable and MAC filtering. The details are in the manual.

 

i recomend people use wep and not wpa just because some devices can not handle wpa...

 

When you own such a device and have no choice it's the only solution but downgrading for no reason is a bad idea.
RC4 is a cipher my grandmother would break instead of cross-word puzzle.

 

I was forced to downgrade to WEP (although it really was an upgrade from OPEN) rather than using WPA last Summer when I set security on a router at a relative's house, but I would never recommend WEP over WPA; rather, I would recommend that any devices that could not handle WPA be upgraded.