How to Set upWEP, WPA or WPA2 Personal Wireless Security on a Linksys Wireless Router?

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.

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.

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.

Step 4:
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.

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

For WPA2 Personal

Step 1:
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.

For WPA Personal

Step 1:
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.

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

More Cisco Wireless Router Tips: cisco 1900, 1900 cisco, cisco 1900 router, 1900 cisco router