Securing an Unsecured Wireless Network

14 years ago

I can't believe I'm asking this question. I have a wireless setup at home. I don't have a special name on it (it is still just the name of the system itself - linksys). It says it's unsecured.

What do I do?

Suzieque

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Comments (5)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
Photos: How to secure your home wireless network

Setting Up a Wireless Network For a Home and Business

Securing your Home Wireless Network : A simple security guide

Wi-Fi Home Networking QuickTips Index

plus a search here in the is forum will provide many links.
google search has a ton of good tutorials.
jane__ny
14 years ago
I have spent all weekend and most of this week (son is on the phone with Linksys now) and I can tell you it is a major headache. Call Linksys and they will talk you though it. We had to call them 4 times this week trying to get all the computers on the secured network.

I can't believe how difficult it was. Call them, it is free and they are very nice. I could not have done it myself.

Good luck,
Jane
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mikie_gw
14 years ago
Suprised linksys doesn't have a CD install that prompts you thru most of the settings and security setting.

Mostly I find its not knowing the technical wording that confuses & scares people.
Really not much to it.

Pick a channel your neighbors not on... 1, 6, or 11 hopefully as they have perfect non overlapping radeo wave frequency.

Change the 'ssid' = name of your 'radio station' to something other than linksys.

Some check boxes for PSK & WPA = basicly the type of secure phrase it will accept.
128 bits is fine on encryption.

Make a passphrase, I used my firstnamelastname. With a twist.

Make sure you copy& paste that passphrase and get it on each computer before pushing the set button.

Then add or change the login/password on the login to the wifi access point/router.

Most of that just flows with, next page, next page in the routers wifi setup.

Here is a link that might be useful: inSSIDer ... freeware to see neighbors channels
jane__ny
14 years ago
Mikie, it did have a CD but set up the main computer but didn't take the password. It generated one. The other computers could connect to the signal without using any password. Tried every which way to straighten it out without success. When I called for help, the woman tried to get me to pay and I refused. I told her I followed the CD exactly and their router screwed up and I was returning it for a Belkin which was cheaper.... Long and short, she got that computer working, but the others still could log on without password. So more calls over the week, and we got them all secured.

BTW, it doesn't allow copy & paste anymore. You have to manually type in the passwords, etc.
Jane
suzieque
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you, all, for taking the time to respond. In the end, I did call Linksys. I was on the phone with a very patient support person for almost 3 hours! We had to hang up and have me call Comcast a few times to send a new signal. Then Linksys would call me back. It was pretty aggravating, but it's done.

Thank you again -

Suzieque

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Securing an Unsecured Wireless Network

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ravencajun Zone 8b TX

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Securing an Unsecured Wireless Network

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ravencajun Zone 8b TX

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