Setting Up Encryption For Your Wireless Router

Once your wireless router is configured to broadcast your high-speed connection you can begin to enjoy the internet from anywhere within the router's broadcast range. This is convenient for you, but can also be convenient for unwanted users who happen to be nearby. For this reason it is imperative that you enable security in order to prevent others from taking up your bandwidth or worse, using your connection for malicious purposes.

In order to set up security for your router's wireless connection do the following



1.  You will have to be at the computer that is hard-wired to your router ie. your desktop.

2. Open a browser window and surf into your routers dashboard by typing HTTP://192.168.1.1. in the address bar. Notice there is no www in the URL. (some routers may use a variation of the address, but this is the most common address by far.

3. Enter the username and password for the router's settings dashboard. This is usually "admin" (with no quotations) for both.

4. Find the section of your settings for wireless security and rename your connection to something you would like (this is your ssid).

5. Now select an encryption type that you prefer. Keep in mind some security settings restrict the router to wireless G broadcasting (won't broadcast as far). WPA2 is probably the most common and easy to manage setting and won't restrict you to G.

6. Set up a passphrase that you will use when you attempt to connect wirelessly. This can be anything you would like but can have requirements such as a specific number of characters. Usually the router will tell you the requirements for whatever you select.

7. As a further measure it is a good idea to select NOT to broadcast the ssid (the name you'll see when you search for your router). if you do this you wont be able to search up your connection and will have to add it manually on devices you want to connect with.

8. Save your settings taking note of your ssid and passphrase. You will need them to connect.

9. Go to your wireless device and tell it you want to set up a new connection. Choose wireless network, type in your ssid,  choose connect and enter the passphrase you set up.

At this point you should be online wirelessly without having to worry that your neighbor is doing the same. At least not on your connection.

Setting Up Your Wireless Router

Sharing a broadband internet connection using a wireless router is a simple and effective way to network wi-fi enabled devices. This isn't just for your laptop anymore. TV's, game consoles, handheld devices among other electronics use wi-fi to connect to the web so that users can benefit from online services such as web surfing, streaming of media, gaming and communication. All you need is an existing high speed internet connection and a decent router. This article will provide a little insight into choosing and setting up a router that will suit your needs.


CHOOSING A ROUTER

As far as routers go an inexpensive router that has wireless N or even G capabilities will be more than enough to serve any household. Avoid expensive routers that tout blazing speeds. My Cisco Linksys router supports up to 150 mbps. My internet connection is 22 mbps (which it never runs at in real life). So an expensive router would be overkill and a waste of money. Mine cost $39.99 at Wal-Mart and works flawlessly. If your in the market for a new router I would check at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, hhgregg, target, KMart, Sam's Club or Costco. If you go online you will probably find the best deals at Ebay, Amazon, Newegg or Tiger Direct.


SETTING UP YOUR ROUTER

Setting up a router is easy as pie, but it might be confusing if it's your first time or if you're not too tech savvy. You shouldn't have to install any software, just follow these simple intructions.


                                   1. Locate your broadband modem (usually provided or set up by your broadband ISP) and locate the ethernet port usually in the back.

2. Using an ethernet cable with enough length to span the distance to your router, insert one end into the modem (your modem should already be plugged into a power source as well as connected to an internet connection such as cable, dsl or fiber optic line).

3. Plug your router into its power source and locate the ethernet ports on the back of the router (usually there are 5).

4. Now take the other end of the ethernet cable you plugged into your modem and insert this end into the router port marked "internet". (this connects your router to your web connection that being transmitted from your modem).

5. Find any of the 4 other ports on the router (usually marked 1,2,3,4) and using a second ethernet cable plug one end into any of these 4 ports. It doesn't matter which.

6. Now with the other end of this ethernet cable you will need to find the internet input port on your desktop pc and insert the cable there. This will serve as a through-put within your router keeping the modem constantly hard-wired to your desktop while you connect wirelessly to your other devices as needed.

7. Finally go to the device you want to connect wirelessly and search for your routers signal. You will be looking for the SSID (the name your router broadcasts). The defualt SSID will most likely be related to your routers brand ie. Linksys, Belkin, Netgear etc. Once you find your router in your available connections list choose connect and go. Now your on the web.

Following these simple instructions should aid you in setting up your wireless router so that you can enjoy all of your wireless devices from anywhere within its range.
The next article will describe how to secure your connection so that nearby users cannot freeload off of your connection.