The Wi-Fi connection is very convenient because it does not require the use of bulky cables and guarantees incredible freedom of movement. Unfortunately, unlike a wired network, a Wi-Fi network is less secure, exposing your information to the risk of being intercepted. Setting a strong password to connect to your Wi-Fi network and changing it regularly is essential to protect your data, while also preventing your neighbors from taking advantage of your bandwidth. Let's see together how to proceed.
Steps
Step 1. Go to your router's configuration page
You can do this using any web browser installed on a computer connected to the network. If for some reason you can no longer connect via Wi-Fi (for example you can't remember the login password) you can use an Ethernet network cable to physically connect your computer to the router. This way you won't have to use the password for the Wi-Fi connection.
- The most commonly used standard addresses for connecting to a router are the following: 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1 or 10.0.1.1 (Apple). Type your router's IP address into the browser address bar.
- If none of the above addresses work, open the Windows command prompt using the hotkey combination 'Windows + R' and type the command 'cmd' (without quotes) into the 'Open' field of the 'Run' panel. From the command prompt window that appeared, type the command 'ipconfig' (without quotes) and press the 'Enter' key. Some information regarding the configuration of your computer's network connection will be displayed, identify the 'Gateway' parameter. The IP address associated with the 'Gateway' corresponds to the IP address of your network router.
- If you still can't log into your router, press and hold the 'Reset' button on the back of your network device for about 30 seconds. This will restore the factory settings. After the reset is complete, search by router manufacturer and model to find out the default IP address.
- Some routers come with dedicated configuration software. If you have already installed the configuration software on your computer, you can use it to log in to the router instead of using the web browser.
Step 2. Enter the username and password to log into the router configuration page
All network devices require the use of security credentials in order to access the configuration. If you have never changed this information, you can try to use the standard username 'admin' and the password 'admin' or 'password' (sometimes a login password is not set, so you will have to leave the 'password' field blank). This information obviously varies by device model. For more details on login information, you can search the web using the specific model of your router.
If during the first configuration of the router you have changed your login information and now you have forgotten it, or if you have purchased a second-hand router and do not know the access password, you will need to reset the device by holding down the 'Reset' button for about 30 seconds. This will reset the device to factory settings allowing you to log in using the default username and password
Step 3. Access the 'Wireless' section of the configuration
After successfully logging into the router configuration page, you will need to locate and access the 'Wireless' configuration section. The exact name of the link to this section may vary by device manufacturer and model. Normally a label such as 'Wireless' or 'Wireless Setup' or 'Wi-Fi Network' is used.
If the 'Wireless' section of your router's configuration interface is structured with multiple subsections, go to the security section. Normally you will find 'Security' or 'Wireless Security'
Step 4. Change the password to access the Wi-Fi network
Find the text field labeled with the name 'Password', 'Passphrase' or 'Shared Key'. In this field you will need to enter the new password to access your Wi-Fi network. Some routers may require you to enter your chosen password a second time to make sure you typed it correctly.
- Try to create a strong and secure password that is very difficult if not impossible to guess. Therefore, avoid passwords directly "inspired" by personal information. Also, make sure your password includes numbers, upper and lower case letters and special characters such as "!", "$" And "#".
- A strong password consists of at least 8 characters.
Step 5. Check the security protocol adopted by your Wi-Fi network
There are currently three encryption models for wireless networks: WEP, WPA, and WPA2. If you want a network with the highest level of security, use the WPA2 protocol. In this case, however, using older devices that do not support this security protocol, you may encounter connectivity problems. To solve them you will have to decrease the security level of your network by choosing the WPA or mixed WPA / WPA2 protocol. Using the WEP protocol is not recommended because it is a very easy encryption algorithm to crack (usually takes less than 30 minutes).
Step 6. Change the name of your Wi-Fi network
Since you are changing your login password, take the opportunity to customize the network by changing its name. Again remember that the name of a Wi-Fi network should never contain sensitive personal information, because by default it is information that is visible to anyone who enters the transmission range of your wireless router. Changing the name of your wireless network is an additional deterrent that can discourage any attacker who wants to hack it. Routers with the manufacturer's default network name are easier to hack because they can reveal known security issues with the device using this information.
Step 7. Save the new settings
When finished editing the configuration, press the 'Apply' or 'Save' button. The location of this button varies depending on the router model but is usually located at the bottom of the page. The router will take a few seconds to apply the new settings and all connected devices will be disconnected and require a new configuration of the network connection using the new information.
