How to make your wireless network more secure.
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Last updated: January 9 2005


First, a note: A wireless network can never be made as secure as a wired one. So if security is your primary concern, opt for a wired network. However, if you opt for convenience over security, here's how to make your wireless (semi) secure:

You'll need to configure your wireless router. Then you'll have to configure your wireless network card.

I recommend configuring your router by connecting an Ethernet cable to your wireless router. (most wireless routers have ports for wired connections as well). Changing the settings of your router will cause your router reset itself automatically. If you don't have a wired connection to your router, you'll lose your wireless connection to your router after it resets itself and you might not be able to reconnect. Having a wired connection to the router is a precaution which can save you a lot of grief should something go wrong.

Configuring your wireless router:
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Log in to your router's administration section (Usually by pointing your browser to an IP address which looks like this: http://192.168.0.1). Refer to your router user guide if you don't know how to access the admin screen.  After logging in, there are 4 things that will make your wireless network more secure:

1. Change your network SSID to something different than the default SSID, then turn SSID broadcast OFF. SSID is the name you give to your wireless network. For example, the default SSID for Netgear routers is 'NETGEAR'. SSID broadcast is by default turned ON, so, anybody with a wireless card within the range of your router will know that your network exists. Turn SSID broadcast OFF to make it harder for people to detect your network.

2. Turn encryption ON. If you are using an 802.11g type network, you probably have the ability to turn WPA-PSK ON. If you use 802.11b, or 802.11a, turn WEP on. Either way, make sure you encrypt your network in some way. Choose a password that contains both numbers and letters.

3. Thirdly, turn access control ON. Access control allows only pre-registered network cards to connect and use your network. To register your wireless network card, enter its MAC Address (an ID unique to each network card). To obtain the MAC Address of your network card, use the software utility which came with your network card or look on the box.

4. Finally, change the administrator password for your router to something other than the default manufacturer password.


Configuring your wireless network card
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Your Wireless network card usually comes with a utility which allows you to configure some aspects of your network card. This utility is usally installed at the same time you install your wireless card. Locate and open the utility. Then,

5. Tell the network card to connect to the Network SSID you chose in step 1.

6. Configure your network card to use the same encryption protocol and password as the one you used in step 2.

Save your settings. Disconnect the Ethernet cable from your computer, and try to connect to the internet. If all goes well, Windows should detect that you disconnected your wired connection and will switch to the wireless connection.