Wireless security is one of the first things to
do in setting up your router. This is the best way to prevent other people
from deliberately using your wireless Internet connection.
How do I set up the
wireless security of my Linksys
router?
To
set up wireless security on your router, you need to access its web-based setup
page first. Follow the instructions below to know how:
Step 1:
Open any web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer). On the Address bar, enter your router’s local IP address then press [Enter]. The default IP address of Linksys routers is192.168.1.1.
Open any web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer). On the Address bar, enter your router’s local IP address then press [Enter]. The default IP address of Linksys routers is192.168.1.1.
NOTE:If you’re having difficulties accessing the web-based setup page,
click here to learn how to resolve this issue. If you are using a Mac
computer, click here for instructions.
Step 2:
When the login prompt appears, leave the User name field blank, then enter “admin” on the Password field.
When the login prompt appears, leave the User name field blank, then enter “admin” on the Password field.
NOTE:If you have set a password
before but forgot it, you need to reset the device. For instructions on
how to reset a Linksys router, click here.
QUICK TIP: The router’s password (which
you used in this step) is different from the password of your wireless
network. This password is only used to access the router’s web-based
setup page.
You
will be redirected to the main screen of the setup page.
Step 3:
On the setup page, click the Wireless tab then click the Wireless Security sub-tab.
On the setup page, click the Wireless tab then click the Wireless Security sub-tab.
Step 4:
On the Configuration View section, click the Manual radio button.
On the Configuration View section, click the Manual radio button.
IMPORTANT: For other models, you may
immediately scroll down the page until you reach the Wireless Security section.
Choosing the ideal wireless
security for your router
Your
Linksys router supports four (4) of the most commonly used wireless
security types: WEP, WPA Personal, WPA2
Personal and WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode. Here’s a table that best
compares the different security types:
Security
|
Rank
|
Number of Characters
|
WEP
Wired Equivalent Protocol |
Basic
|
40/64-bit
(10 characters)
128-bit (26 characters) |
WPA Personal
Wi-Fi Protected Access Personal |
Strong
|
8-63
characters
|
WPA2
Personal
Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 Personal |
Strongest
|
8-63
characters
|
WPA2/WPA Mixed
Mode
|
WPA2:
Strongest
WPA: Strong |
8-63
characters
|
WPA, WPA2 and WPA2/WPA security
modes are highly
recommended over WEP for a higher level of security. Using WEP encryption
makes your wireless network susceptible to security breaches. Follow the
instructions below to know how to set up each security mode.
For WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode
Step 1:
On the Security Mode field, select WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode and enter your Passphrase.
On the Security Mode field, select WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode and enter your Passphrase.
NOTE: The Passphrase must consist of
at least eight (8) characters and is case-sensitive.
NOTE: WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode is also
referred to as PSK2-Mixed for some Linksys routers. Refer to
the image below for an example.
Step 2:
Click
Click
For WPA2 Personal
Step 1:
On the Security Mode field, select WPA2 Personal and enter your Passphrase.
On the Security Mode field, select WPA2 Personal and enter your Passphrase.
NOTE: The Passphrase must consist of
at least eight (8) characters and is case-sensitive.
NOTE: WPA2 Personal is also referred
to as PSK2 for some Linksys routers. Refer to the image below
for an example.
Step 2:
Click.
Click.
For WPA Personal
Step 1:
On Security Mode, select WPA Personal and enter your Passphrase.
On Security Mode, select WPA Personal and enter your Passphrase.
NOTE: The Passphrase must consist of
at least eight (8) characters and is case-sensitive.
NOTE: WPA Personal is also referred
to as WPA Pre-Shared Key or PSK Personal for some Linksys
routers. Refer to the images below for an example.
WPA Pre-Shared Key
NOTE: The WPA Shared Key in
the image above is the network password you will use to connect wirelessly.
PSK
Personal
NOTE: The Pre-shared Key in
the image above is the network password you will use to connect wirelessly.
Step 2:
Click.
Click.
Other things to remember
• For
dual-band routers, setting up the wireless security may depend on the exact
type of dual-band router that you areusing. Dual-band routers can
beeither simultaneous or selectable. If the router is
selectable, this means that you canonly use one (1) wireless band at
a time and set a single wireless network password.
However,
if your dual-band router is simultaneous, you can use both 2.4 and 5
GHz wireless bands at the same time. Thisalso means that you can set two
(2)different wireless network names and wireless passwords for each
frequency (whichis actually recommended to avoid interference).
NOTE: To know what type of dual-band
router you are using, visit Identifying Linksys dual-band routers and devices
.For
instructions on personalizing your 5 GHz wireless band settings, click Personalizing and connecting to the 5 GHz wireless band on a
Linksys wireless-N router
After setting up wireless
security
Once
you have set up appropriate wireless security you can now connect computers to
your wireless network. To learn how, click Connecting wireless computers to your network
You
can also connect other wireless devices to your router such as an iPad,
smartphones, game consoles, printers, and access points. To learn how,
see Connecting devices to a Linksys router using an Ethernet
cable
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