This wikiHow teaches you how to prevent unauthorized access to your home wireless network by securing your router. You can secure it by editing the network settings from the router's page. Keep in mind that router pages are usually different for each brand (and even model) of router used. This means that you will likely need to fiddle with the page to find the settings that need to be changed.
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Part 1 of 6: Taking Common Steps
Step 1. Refrain from sharing network passwords
While this may sound paranoid, you can reduce the chance that untrusted people will know your network password by not providing it. Instead of sharing passwords, offer to get friends and family devices onto the network instead of letting them enter their own.
Step 2. Place the router in the center of the house
In addition to balancing the router's coverage, changing the router's position makes the router's reach limited by the walls of your home. This means unknown people who want to get into your network can't sit outside and connect their devices to your network.
The size and layout of your home may make it difficult for you to place your router in the center of your home. In this situation, simply keep the router away from windows and exits
Step 3. Turn off the router when not in use
If you plan to leave the house on weekends or for a longer period of time, turn off your router and/or modem. This step tends to be preventive in nature, rather than an active security measure. However, by turning off your router, you can ward off attacks from other people who want to connect to your home network when you can't stop them directly.
Even if you only leave the house to work from morning to evening, turn off the router to prevent network abuse when you are not at home
Step 4. Use a boring network name
As silly as it sounds, changing a smart WiFi network name to a boring one lowers the chances of your network being used as a "target" for attacks.
For example, using the brand and router number (eg "Belkin-3030") as the network name makes your network less prominent than when you use names like “My Favorite WiFe” or something like that
Step 5. Turn off the network sharing feature on the computer
This feature allows a computer to share files and information with other computers connected to the network. However, this feature also makes your computer a weak point in network security. To disable this feature:
- Windows – You can visit this article (in English) or look for other articles on how to turn off the Network Sharing feature on Windows computers.
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Mac – Click Apple menu
Macapple1 choose " System Preferences… ", click " Sharing ”, and uncheck the "File Sharing" box.
Step 6. Use a VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) directs network traffic to one or more unconventional servers so that it can hide your network activity. VPNs don't always secure a network by hiding it, but they are usually powerful enough to prevent attacks and reduce the likelihood of future attacks.
Step 7. Replace the router when it is too old
As with other technology products, routers will lose their strength after a few years, especially from a security point of view. Because online threats are constantly being updated and evolving, new routers usually have better security than routers that are three or four years old.
Part 2 of 6: Accessing the Router Page
Step 1. Find the address of the router
As with web pages, you can access your router's pages through your browser by entering the router's address into the URL bar. To find the router address:
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Windows – Open menu “ Start ”
Windowsstart click Settings ”
Windowssettings choose " Network & Internet ", click " Status ”, scroll the screen and click “ View your network properties ”, scroll to the " Default gateway " heading, and note the numbered address to the right of the title.
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Mac – Open Apple menu
Macapple1 click " System Preferences… ", click " Network ”, select the currently connected WiFi network, click “ Advanced ", click the tab " TCP/IP ”, and note the numbered address to the right of the " Router " heading.
Step 2. Open a browser
To access the router's page, you will need to enter a numbered address into the URL bar of your browser.
Step 3. Click the address bar
This bar is at the top of the browser window. The currently displayed site address will be flagged.
Step 4. Type in the router's address
This address is the numbered address (eg 192.168.1.1) that you previously got from the computer settings.
Step 5. Press Enter key
After that, you will be taken to the router page.
It may take a few seconds for the computer to connect to the router's page, especially if this is your first time accessing the page
Step 6. Log in to the router if necessary
Most router pages have a login page that is protected by a password. If you've never set up a logon page before, you can find logon information in your router's manual or online documentation.
If your router's page doesn't have a login requirement, you may need to add one. Most routers allow you to add a login password from the “ Settings ” is on the page.
Part 3 of 6: Changing Password
Step 1. Locate the "Settings" section
Many router pages display the segment “ Settings " or " Wireless Settings ” at the top or bottom of the page.
- If you can't find the "Settings" option or section, look for the gear icon or the triangle icon in one corner of the page. Usually a drop-down menu with the option “ Settings ” will be displayed once you click the icon.
- You may need to click a tab or segment “ Wireless " first.
Step 2. Click the “Settings” option
After that, you will be taken to the router settings page. On this page, you can make all the necessary changes to secure your home wireless network.
Step 3. Look for the network name and password
You can usually find both on the main settings page, but if your router's settings page has several categories displayed in different tabs, you may need to click the “ Security " or " Password " first.
Step 4. Change the network name (SSID) if necessary
If you see a text field with the network name in it, change the name to something else that doesn't catch people's attention (e.g. "Linksys-2018").
You do not need to change the network name if you use the default name programmed into your router
Step 5. Change the password
Find the password that is currently in use, then change it to a password that is difficult to guess. Most routers allow you to enter a password with a maximum of 16 characters so use all 16 characters whenever possible.
- Passwords must include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not use any personal information (eg pet names) as passwords.
- You may need to enter your current password first.
Step 6. Save changes
Usually there is a button Save ” (or something similar) at the bottom of the page. Click the button to save the new router password.
- You may need to swipe up to see this option.
- If your router logs you off the network at this point, reconnect the computer to the network using the new password before continuing.
Part 4 of 6: Disabling Wi-Fi Protected Setup
Step 1. Understand the function of Wi-Fi Protected Setup
Wi-Fi Protected Setup or WPS is a feature that allows someone to connect to your network by selecting a network via their computer or mobile phone, and pressing a button on the back of the router. Not all routers have this option, but routers with this button usually have WPS enabled automatically.
WPS poses a major security risk because anyone (eg friends, family, contractors, thieves, etc.) can connect to the router within seconds with the push of a button
Step 2. Reopen the router settings page if necessary
If you've exited the router page or were brought back to the main dashboard after changing your password, access the settings page again before continuing.
Step 3. Look for the "Wi-Fi Protected Setup" or "WPS" section
This segment is usually displayed in a tab located on the settings page. You may find it in the “ Security If possible.
Step 4. Disable the Wi-Fi Protected Setup feature
Often times, you can disable it by checking the "Off" or "Disabled" box next to or under the WPS heading.
Sometimes, you will need to confirm your selection or enter a password to end the process
Step 5. Save changes
Click the button Save ” (or similar) to save changes. After that, other people cannot connect to your WiFi network without entering the password.
Part 5 of 6: Enabling WPA2 Encryption
Step 1. Understand why router encryption is important
Router encryption generally comes in three forms: WEP, WPA, and WPA2. Although the first two types-WEP and WPA-are notoriously vulnerable to hacks and attacks, they are still chosen as router default/primary encryption. Meanwhile, WPA2 is usually supported, but not always enabled.
WPA2 is much more secure than WPA or WEP
Step 2. Reopen the router settings page if necessary
If you've exited the router's page or were brought back to the main dashboard after changing your password, re-access the settings page before continuing.
Step 3. Look for the "Security Type" section
Usually this segment is in the same general “region” as the password segment on the settings page. However, your router may have tabs or segments “ Encryption specifically accessible.
Step 4. Select "WPA2" or "WPA2 Personal" as security system
Usually, you need to click on the "Security Type" drop-down box (or something similar) and select " WPA2 " or " WPA2 Personal ” in the displayed menu. However, the available options may differ.
Step 5. Select "AES" as the algorithm if possible
If you are given a choice of encryption algorithm, select “ AES" If possible. Make sure you avoid the options " TKIP ”.
Step 6. Save changes
Click the button Save ” (or similar) to save changes. The router will be encrypted so it will be much more difficult for someone else who doesn't have the password to hack into your network.
Part 6 of 6: Enabling Router Firewall
Step 1. Locate the "Firewall" section
Unlike other security options, you can usually find the "Firewall" section on a separate router page, rather than on the settings page. The easiest way to find this segment is to open the search or " Find " tool in your browser (press the shortcut Ctrl+F on Windows computers or Command+F on Macs), type firewall, and browse through the search results.
- On some routers, you may find the "Firewall" section on the settings page.
- The router you are using may not have a firewall. If you don't find the "Firewall" section, check the router's manual or online documentation to see if firewall features are available on your router and where (if any).
Step 2. Open the “Firewall” section
Click the tab or link “ Firewall ” to open it.
Step 3. Enable the firewall
Usually, all you need to do to enable the firewall is to click the "Enable" or "On" toggle or checkbox. After that, the router will adjust or handle other settings.
If a prompt appears on the screen after you enable the firewall, follow the prompt
Step 4. Save changes
Click the button Save ” (or similar) to save changes. Firewall protection will be added to the router making it difficult for viruses and smugglers to access your network.
Step 5. Exit the router page
Once your router is secured, you no longer have to worry about intruders interfering with your home internet network.
