Setting up a secure router for your wired and wireless networking is not hard. All you have to do is login to your router’s control panel website with a web browser, and change a few settings or turn-on a few settings. It is best to read your router’s manual for more information on securing your network router.
If you don’t own a router, I recommend you buy one since it makes surfing the web safer. I recommend Linksys by Cisco WRT54G2 Wireless-G Broadband Router
One of the first things you want to do is to change your default admin password for your router to something which is hard to guest like CRac<32! Â since admin as a password is not very secure.
If you use a wireless router, make sure you changed the default SSID to something different like Bigmama88 and disable SSID Broadcast. Â Make a WPA or WPA2 password for your wireless router. The password should be difficult to guest like @!vInS20 .
You can decrease the wireless signal’s antenna power, so people from outside your house can’t reach it. However, your wi-fi performance might be slower.
Tips for securing your wired and wireless router.
- Change the Router’ s Subnet IP(can be difficult)
- Disable DHCP and assign a static IP for all your PCs and devices (not very practical for people with many devices)
- Make sure NAT is turned on
- DMZ is turned off
- HTTP and Ping WAN port are both turned off
- If your router supports URL blocking, Keyword blocking, IP filtering, domain blocking, Protocol filtering, Mac filtering, you can also use these features to prevent unknown and untrusted computers and websites from entering your home network.
Updating your router’s firmware can also improve security, but updating your firmware is very risky. Make sure you download the right version for your router, and use a wired network computer to update the firmware. Also, don’t unplug your PC or electricity. A bad firmware router can break your router permanently.
After you are done securing your router, you can test if it is perfectly hidden from unwanted attackers, worms, and hackers at Shields UP by GRC. Make sure to pick all Service ports. If you did not pass, you may need to block a port on your router, or disable pinging on your router! If you passed, congratulate yourself and share the knowledge of setting up a secure router with others like your friends and family.
I have had some problems with my router lately, its not wireless but it is just not connecting me to the internet sometimes at all. I may well change for the one your have recommeneded, i’m sick of trying to get my broadband provider to do something about it.
It could be a problem with your modem if your computer’s internet works fine when connected directly to your modem, but fails when connected to your router. I also read updating your router’s firmware can help, but it can destroy your router if there is a power ottage, or used the wrong firmware version.
I think it is best to get a new router if you know it is your router and not your modem, or ISP which is causing the problem. I recommend getting a wireless router since it is not very expensive (30-50 dollars), and can also work with your wired computer. Plus, it can work with Game consoles, Cell phones, laptops with Wi-Fi capabilities.