Here we will explain how you can secure your wifi network from hackers and people stealing your bandwidth. Wireless Networking (Wi-Fi) has made it so easy for you to use your computers, laptops, netbooks, iPads, mobile phones, video game consoles, and other wireless devices anywhere in your home without needing networking cables but the biggest issue with wireless signals is that others can access the Internet using your broadband connection if your network isn’t secured.

Here a few simple steps to secure your wifi network:

Step 1. Open Your Router Settings Page

First you need to access your wireless router’s settings, usually you can do this by typing in 192.168.1.1 into your web browser and then enter the correct user name and password for the router (usually admin / password or admin / admin). This is different for each router so please refer to your router model’s user manual.

Here are direct links to the manufacturers’ support sites of some popular router brands:
Linksys (now Cisco), Cisco, Netgear, Apple AirPort, SMC, 3Com (now HP), Belkin

Step 2. Create a unique password on your router

Once you have logged into your router (step 1) you should change the default password of the router to something more secure. You can change your router’s password from the administration settings on your router’s settings page. The default values are generally admin / password or admin / admin.

Step 3. Change your Network’s SSID name

The SSID (or Wireless Network Name) of your Wifi Router is usually set as the brand name of the router (e.g., linksys, cisco, smc). Changing the SSID name of your network is always a good idea because you will always be certain that you are connecting to the correct Wireless network even if there are multiple wireless networks in your area. This setting is usually under the basic wireless settings in your router’s settings page.

Step 4. Enable Network Encryption

In order to prevent others from using your wifi internet connection you need to encrypt your wireless signals. To enable encryption on your Wireless network, open the wireless security settings on your router’s configuration page. Choose WPA or WPA2 encyption (we don’t recommend using WEP encryption) and enter a passphrase that will be used to access the secured wifi network.

Step 5. Connect to your Secure Wireless Network

Once you have enabled the security settings in your wireless router you need to add the new settings to your computers and other wireless devices so that they all can connect to the secured wifi network. You can select to have your computer automatically connect to the network so you won’t have to enter the SSID (network name) and passphrase every time you connect to the Internet. Your wireless network will now be a lot more secure and intruders may have a tough time intercepting your Wi-Fi signals.

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Manasota Geeks can come to your home or business in the Bradenton and Sarasota areas to setup and encrypt your wireless network. We will ensure that your wifi network and your internet browsing are secure.

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