Wireless Security
I am using a Linksys WRT54GL router. How do I make a secure connection?
MacBook Pro 2.26 GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.2)
Setup your router to use WPA2 encryption.
7 replies
In order to view settings I have to go to the Linksys web page to setup the router -- the CD only works with Windows. I don't see WPA2 as a choice.
What options will be offered @ WiFi/Security/Encryption?
You don't need the CD to install or manage the router. Just enter the router's IP address in your browser: 192.168.1.1 (unless you changed it to something else). You will get the router's sign-in page and you can log in and manage the router.
Assuming this is a +home network,+ the WRT54GL has only two options that are usable:
*WPA Personal* and WEP.
WPA Personal is more secure than WEP.
If you are using WPA Personal, leave the encryption as default (TKIP) and enter a password (WPA Shared Key) that is at least 8 characters long, preferably including both letters and numbers. Write the password down somewhere because you will need it later.
In *Basic Wireless Settings* you also need to assign a *Wireless Network Name (SSID)* to your router. Write the SSID name down somewhere because you need both the SSID and the password in order to log on to the wireless network.
*WPA Personal* and WEP.
WPA Personal is more secure than WEP.
If you are using WPA Personal, leave the encryption as default (TKIP) and enter a password (WPA Shared Key) that is at least 8 characters long, preferably including both letters and numbers. Write the password down somewhere because you will need it later.
In *Basic Wireless Settings* you also need to assign a *Wireless Network Name (SSID)* to your router. Write the SSID name down somewhere because you need both the SSID and the password in order to log on to the wireless network.
After you have basic security set up (as above) there are two more things you can do to make your wireless network a bit more secure. But make sure the basic WPA security above is working first and you can in fact log on to your wireless network. Then you can safely do the following:
In *Basic Wireless Settings* you can disable 'Wireless SSID Broadcast'. Doing this stops the router from broadcasting the name of your network for all to see. Since you need the network name in order to log on to the network, if an unauthorized person can't see the name of your network it makes it that much harder to log on.
In *Wireless MAC Filter* you can enable 'Wireless MAC Filter', select 'Permit Only' and then enter the MAC addresses (aka Airport ID's) of the computers you want to allow to log on to your network. Doing this only allows computers with specific wireless MAC Addresses (wireless ID's or Airport ID's) to use your network, and they still have to log on with the correct network name and password.
In *Basic Wireless Settings* you can disable 'Wireless SSID Broadcast'. Doing this stops the router from broadcasting the name of your network for all to see. Since you need the network name in order to log on to the network, if an unauthorized person can't see the name of your network it makes it that much harder to log on.
In *Wireless MAC Filter* you can enable 'Wireless MAC Filter', select 'Permit Only' and then enter the MAC addresses (aka Airport ID's) of the computers you want to allow to log on to your network. Doing this only allows computers with specific wireless MAC Addresses (wireless ID's or Airport ID's) to use your network, and they still have to log on with the correct network name and password.
And finally, under Administration, I would do the following:
*Password your router.* Give your router itself a password so someone who tries to log on to the router to change any settings has to enter a password. (See Administration > Management > Local Router Access > Router Password)
*Disable 'Remote Management'.* (See Administration > Management > Remote Router Access > Remote Management)
*Enable the Firewall.* (See Security > Firewall > Firewall Protection)
*Password your router.* Give your router itself a password so someone who tries to log on to the router to change any settings has to enter a password. (See Administration > Management > Local Router Access > Router Password)
*Disable 'Remote Management'.* (See Administration > Management > Remote Router Access > Remote Management)
*Enable the Firewall.* (See Security > Firewall > Firewall Protection)
Wireless Security