7 easy steps to secure your wireless router

When you buy a wireless router, it is not secure and its default configuration allows unwanted users that are near your router to connect to the internet and "steal" your wireless internet router. They may also have access to your PC and steal files and data files. Manufacturers leave the configuration "open" so that the user can easily configure the router and start it quickly. However, there is a risk if the router is not secure.

Go to the configuration of your wireless router
To access the settings of your wireless router and the configuration menu then connect to the router wirelessly or via Ethernet cable. Open a web browser and type:
http://192.168.1.1 or
http://192.168.2.1

1) Change Admin Password
Most wireless routers come with a blank password. It is essential that this change is a potential intruder could be found in your router configuration and lock yourself in your own equipment.

2) Changing the network name (otherwise known as SSID)
The name of the default network is generally composed of name / model of your wireless router. This information gives an edge to an attacker and makes it easier for them to break into your network. Do not rename to something like your name or house name as this unnecessarily exposes personal information. Rename it to a string of alphanumeric characters - which may contain up to 32 characters long.

3) Disable SSID Broadcast
By default, a wireless router SSID is broadcast so anyone in the vicinity of your wireless router can see it. SSID broadcast can be disabled making your wireless router almost invisible.

4) enabling encryption
This is disabled by default. There is a choice of WEP, WPA and WPA2. Currently the latter method of encryption is WPA2 so use this whenever possible. Both wireless router from your PC and a wireless adapter must be configured to use the same encryption.

5) Mac Address Control
All material has a unique MAC address associated with it, including PC card adapter. This MAC address can be added to the list of access control in wireless router. Only devices added to the checklist of the access router are allowed to be connected.

6) Update router firmware
It is recommended that the latest router firmware is downloaded from the manufacturer's site and installed in the router. This should fix the bugs that were found for your router and also help in cases of known security holes in the router itself.

7) backup settings
Finally, backup all router settings. If you reset the router to its factory default for any reason, your configuration can then be quickly restored in the router.