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Setting up a secure wireless network with the Dlink DWL-2100AP





 



Open a web browser like internet explorer or Netscape. Enter the ip address of your router in the address bar of your browser. In the picture above the address bar has http://www.google.com in it. Just replace all of that with the ip address of your router. By default the ip address should be set to 192.168.0.50.




You should see a box prompting you for your username and password. Enter your username and password now. By default the username is admin, and the password is blank. Click the Ok button to log in to your router.




Click the Wireless button near the left side of the page.




In the box called SSID put a name that you make up. You will need to remember this name because it will be used to connect to your wireless network. Do not make it obvious to guess, the network name should be difficult for your neighbors to guess. If you can not think of anything, simply use your first name.

Turn off the option called SSID Broadcast. This turns off the broadcast of your networks name making it more difficult for other people to find your network. You do not want to broadcast your networks name.

In the box called Channel, pick a random channel number. Channels make it so that you and your neighbors can use your own wireless networks without interfering with each other. By picking a random channel you reduce the chance of your neighbor using the same channel as you.

When you are finished, click the Apply button.

Click the Advanced button near the top of the page.

The menu on the left should change. In this new menu, click Encryption.




Choosing your network security type can be challenging. Use the table below to help you decide which encryption type is best for you.

Security Strength Encryption Type Description
Best WPA2 Stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access. This is the newest version of WPA, and is generally considered the most secure. However, most users do not have WPA2 available yet. If your router supports WPA2, and you are running Windows XP SP2, then this is most likely your best choice for security. WPA2 is generally not compatible with small, standalone devices like game consoles, MP3 players, phones, and cameras.
Excellent WPA Stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access and is generally the best choice right now for most users. If your router supports WPA, and you are running Windows XP SP2, then this is most likely your best choice for security. WPA2 is generally not compatible with small, standalone devices like game consoles, MP3 players, phones, and cameras.
Better than nothing WEP - Open Key Stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy. This is the old security method and should only be used if WPA is not available to you. WEP comes in different bit lenghts, usually 64 bit (sometimes called 40 bit) and 128 bit. Pick the largest number that you see. There is no reason to use a small bit lenght anymore. Shared Key means that you must share your key (password) with other users before they can use your network.
Not secure WEP - Shared Key This version of WEP is generally considered not secure. Do not use it, unless it is your only choice.


Put a dot into the Open System radio button.

Turn on the option called Encryption.

Select HEX from the Key Type drop down box.

Select 128Bit from the Key Size drop down box.

Select First from the Valid Key drop down box.

If you are using WPA

Now you need to make up a passphrase.

Your WPA key can be a plain text, human readable sentence. Make sure it is long, however, because recent hack attempts have exploited short WPA passphrases. Your WPA passphrase should be at least 30 letters long.

Onnce you have made up your passphrase, write it down somewhere. You will need it at each computer that you are going to connect to your network.

If you are using WEP

Now you need to make up your network key.

It doesn't matter what this key is, as long as it is random. A network key is a password that is 26 characters long, and made up of only the letters A,B,C,D,E,F and the numbers 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. If you are using 128 bit WEP, then your key must be exactly 26 characters long, and the more random it is, the better it is. Here is an example of a random 128 bit network key:

7F5B3FD23A8EC290AC682DF8FA


Onnce you have made up your key, write it down somewhere. You will need it at each computer that you are going to connect to your network.


Now put the key you made up in the box called Fist Key.

When you're finished, click Apply near the bottom of the screen to save your changes.

And that's it! You're done!

Wireless Filters

Now that you have secured your wireless network, you may want to check out our guides on how to setup some wireless filters. Filters will help keep people out of your network who are smart enough to figure out your wireless keys. Wireless filters are the final step in securing your network. A wireless filter guide for your router is located here.

Connecting to your Secure Wireless Network

You may want to read our guide on how to Configure Windows XP to connect to your wireless network.