How to Keep People From Getting on Your Wireless
- 1). Identify the make and model of your router. This may be necessary to access its configuration page. Most routers allow you to edit settings by on a configuration screen, displayed as a web page, and accessed by typing in an Internet Protocol (IP) address. Common router IPs generally take the format 192.168.X.X, where the two Xs are replaced by numbers that vary by manufacturer.
- 2). Enter the IP address and in your browser the configuration page. You will likely need to enter the default user name and password from your router's manual in order to access the configuration information.
- 3). Within the configuration menu, one of the most prominent settings in your router will be the 'Wireless Security' mode. Click on this section, as this controls authentication and access to the wireless network. Make a note of the wireless protocol used, it will be prominently displayed on the configuration screen as either 802.11g or 802.11b.
- 4). Select WPA Personal if your router uses 802.11g, or WEP if it uses 802.11b. Other, more secure types may be available, but WPA is the most compatible with the broadest variety of home-wireless cards found in PCs. You will be asked to either enter a password or your choosing, or one will be generated for you. Make a note of this and keep it in a safe place.
- 5). Return to your internet settings, and you should notice that you are no longer connected to the internet. Attempt to do so and you will be prompted for a password phrase. Enter the password generated by the router and your internet connection will continue to work as it did before, only without permitting access to anyone but you.
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