| When you buy a wireless router it is not | | | | 3) Turn off SSID broadcasting |
| secure and its default configuration | | | | By default, a wireless router's SSID is |
| will allow unwanted users that are in | | | | broadcast so anyone in the vicinity of |
| the vicinity of your router to connect | | | | your wireless router can see that it. |
| to the internet and "steal" your | | | | SSID broadcasting can be turned off thus |
| wireless router internet connection. | | | | making your wireless router virtually |
| They could also gain access to your PC | | | | invisible. |
| and steal files and folders of data. | | | | 4) Enabling Encryption |
| Manufacturers leave the configuration | | | | This is switched off by default. There |
| "open" so that the user can easily set | | | | is a choice of WEP, WPA and WPA2. |
| up the router and get it up and running | | | | Currently the latest encryption method |
| quickly. However, there is a risk if the | | | | is WPA2 so use this where possible. Both |
| router is not secure. | | | | your wireless router and wireless PC |
| Accessing Your Wireless Router's | | | | adaptor must be configured to use the |
| Configuration | | | | same encryption. |
| To gain access to your wireless router | | | | 5) Mac Address Control |
| settings and configuration menu then | | | | All hardware has a unique MAC address |
| connect to the router either wirelessly | | | | associated with it, including your PC |
| or via a Ethernet cable. Open a web | | | | adaptor card. This MAC address can be |
| browser and type either: or | | | | added to access control list in the |
| 1) Change Admin password | | | | wireless router. Only devices added to |
| Most wireless routers ship with a blank | | | | the router's access control list are |
| password. It is essential that this is | | | | allowed to be connected. |
| changed else a potential hacker could | | | | 6) Update router firmware |
| get into your router configuration and | | | | It is recommended that the latest router |
| lock you out of your own hardware. | | | | firmware is downloaded from the |
| 2) Change The Network Name (otherwise | | | | manufacturer's website and installed in |
| known as the SSID) | | | | the router. This will hopefully fix any |
| The default network name is usually made | | | | bugs that have been found for your |
| up of the name/model of your wireless | | | | router and also help with any known |
| router. This information gives a head | | | | security flaws in the router itself. |
| start for a hacker and makes it easier | | | | 7) Backup settings |
| for them to break into your network. | | | | Finally, backup all router settings. If |
| Don't rename it to something like your | | | | you reset the router back to its factory |
| surname or house name as this | | | | default settings for whatever reason, |
| unnecessarily exposes personal | | | | your configuration can later be easily |
| information. Rename it to an | | | | and quickly restored back into the |
| alpha-numeric string - this can be up to | | | | router. |
| 32 characters long. | | | | |