Securing your network with WPA2

Pt. 5 of 10 | 2:56 |

Understanding your Home Network Router

Friday July 17, 2009

Any 'techspert' will tell you that the first thing you should do after powering on your

wireless router

is to

set the security options to avoid unwanted intruders on your wireless network

WPA2

is the best means to

secure your wireless router

currently available on consumer level networks. While there are several

security options on your wireless router

, the consensus is that

WPA2

gives the

best protection for both home and enterprise networks

currently available.

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Show Notes

- In your router setting go into

Wireless Security

.

- You should find a drop down list of security protocols supported by your router.

- If it's available select

WPA2 or WPA2 Personal

from the list.

- If you're curious about other options you can get help from within the router.

- With WPA2 selected you may have to pick from WPA Algorithms.

- In the Linksys router we're offered AES or TKIP+AES.

- If you have devices that use WPA and others that use WPA2 then select TKIP+AES.

- If all your devices support WPA2 you can select AES.

- Now you need to come up with a

WPA Shared Key

.

- This is a series of letters and numbers that will have to be entered from each device that wants to access your network.

- The Shared Key can be from 8 to 63 characters.

- Keep in mind that you need to remember the key.

- In a home setting you can go around to each device and enter the Shared Key while it's all fresh in your mind.

- Be sure to store the Shared Key in a database and/or on a piece of paper, filed away so you'll have it.

- Once you're finished save your changes.

- Your network is now protected with the