Your wireless, your internet?

Prompted by a news article about someone being convicted of stealing internet from an open wireless network (unencrypted). Whether what he was doing was proper or not is a bit beside the point. I myself often look for a unencrypted network in order to fire off an email or two. I recommend that if you do not want passers by to easily connect to your network, you must encrypt it. for general use, a WPA encryption key (PSK) is all you need, if you run a small business and rent out time on the network, you will want to use some form of authentication and/or WPA/TKIP, however, I have little experience with authentication. This guide is meant for home only; the key should be changed about once a month, if not more, check your security logs to see who has been accessing your network, more on that below. (I sadly cannot help you if you are on a Mac, and if you are on Linux, I am assuming that you already know what to do, it’s pretty easy in anyways)

NOTE: I use a skinning application that changes the appearance of windows, chances are, your windows will look different, but all the buttons are in the same place. Also, Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) MUST be installed, you can get it through Windows/Microsoft Update using Internet Explorer (link will not work in Firefox or Opera). Make sure to get all the important updates.

Securing your wireless

First thing I reccomend that you do while setting up is to connect to the router using an ethernet cable (looks like a large phone line).

Second thing you need to do is determine the IP address of your router. If you know it, skip ahead, if not here is where you can find it: Go *start -> Run* Type in "cmd" and hit "Ok." A window with white text and a black background (looks like a DOS prompt, but isn't) in that window, type "ipconfig" and hit enter. some information will come up, One entery will read "Default Gateway" a number (generally 192.168.2.1 or 192.168.0.1) that is your router's IP address


Take that number (IP address) and copy/paste it into your browser's URL bar (the bar that you type webpage addresses in) you will be prompted to enter a password, if you have never been here before, you might not know your default password, "admin" is generally used (SMC routers use smcadmin by default) if you know your password type it in. you may also be prompted for a username, by default, these tend to be "administrator" or "admin," if these do not work, please read the guide that came with your router.



once logged on, locate the wireless network settings, example:


if given a menu after clicking on the link, click on the WPA settings (or encryption settings, if you cannot find any WPA settings anywhere, you need to buy a newer router, WPA is more secure than WEP and is easier to set up)


In this new screen, you will be asked to enter various data, the only one you should need to concern yourself with is the passphrase, enter one. If, however, you are also given the option to enter the encryption method (WEP, WPA, WPA/WEP, None) select WPA. If you are confused, use the following screenshot as a guide. Save your settings!


If the option for what kind of encryption to use was not there, it will be in another location, for myself, it is under "Security." Remember to only select WPA, and Save your settings!


Congrats! You finished the hard part!

Setting up the computer to connect
We will use Windows' built in manager here, if you have SP2, like I told you, this will be a breeze, if you didn't get it, what are you waiting for?
To get to the manager, find the wireless icon on the system tray (the system tray is on that bar at the bottom with all the little icons on it)

Here is the Wireless networks window, you will see your network here, it will have the same name as before, double click on it


You will be asked for a password, enter it twice, once in each box, and hit enter


That's it, your done! Easy, huh? you are now secure, no passers by can get in, and it is now 100% illegal for them to try without your consent!

(If you had problems with the WPA, such as it not showing up as a WPA on your computer, you can use a WEP instead, though the passcode is harder to remember, and it is less secure, In all honesty, I recommend an upgrade, see your local, non commissioned tech store for further help)

--the_sidewinder

(Song of the day: Don't Phunk With My Heart, by The Black Eyed Peas on their album "Monkey Business")