How to Keep a Linksys Router Secure

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Your wireless router transmits a signal through the air and may be detected hundreds of feet away. By default, anybody nearby can use your network. It is highly recommended that you take some simple safety steps such as encrypting and also limiting access to your wireless network.

Encrypting the information that is transmitted through the air is the best way to protect communications from eavesdroppers. The two main types of encryption are Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). WPA2 is the best choice but many older routers do not have this option. If your router doesn't have WPA2, you should upgrade.

To limit access to your router it is recommended that you use a strong password that isn't freely shared or used anywhere else.

This guide will walk you through the process of protecting your wireless network.

2. Login

1. Open a new web browser. (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox etc.)
2. In the address bar, type 192.168.1.1 then press Enter on the keyboard.
   

1. You will be asked to enter the router's username and password to log in.
   
2. The default credentials are typically:
3. Username: admin
4. Password: leave blank
5. In the event that you can't access the router's web based setup page, you've forgotten the network's wireless security key or you are troubleshooting a connectivity issue, you may need to reset the router to its default factory settings.

3. Picking a Strong Password

Wherever possible, you should pick a password that is impossible to guess and is also resistant to brute-force attacks. Note that some devices or systems do not allow special characters or they may have their own requirements.

Best practices for picking a strong password:

• Passwords should be around 8 to 12 characters, but can be longer.
• Avoid using words that are in the dictionary.
• DO NOT use information that is easy to guess or phish for such as:
• Important dates such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
• Names of pets, friends, family, locations, etc.
• Add some complexity to your password by adding at least:
• 1 Capital letter
• 1 Small letter
• 1 Symbol
• 1 Number
• Try replacing letters with symbols, for example:
• "Abc?123!" is easier to guess than "@B(?123!"
• "Password!?" is easier to guess than "P@$$w0rd!?".

4. Change Network Password

1. After logging in the router's user interface, click the Wireless tab then click the Wireless Security sub-tab.
   

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2. On the Configuration View section, click the Manual radio button.
   

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2. Some router models, especially the older versions do not have the Manual option and you may require to scroll down the page until you see the Wireless Security section instead.
   

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2. On the Security Mode field, select WPA2 Personal.
   
3. WPA2 Personal is also referred to as PSK2 on some Linksys routers.
   

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2. Enter your Passphrase/Password.
   
3. At least eight (8) characters are needed for the Passphrase and it is case-sensitive.
   

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2. Click Save Settings once you're done.
   

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2. Your wireless security settings have now been updated.
   
3. Any time you change your wireless security settings you will need to reconnect your wireless devices.
4. If your router is dual-band, meaning it has a 2.4 and a 5 GHz network you may need to repeat the steps listed above for each network because each network may be controlled individually. You must use different network names for each band.
5. If your router has a guest network you will need to repeat the steps listed above for the guest network because it is controlled separately.

5. Keeping Your Password Secure

Some precautions should be taken in order to keep your password secure.

Best practices:

• Do not use a master password that you use everywhere (such as email, work, school, home, network)
• If possible, do not share your password with anybody.
• Passwords that are shared with others, like for a home network, should only be shared if necessary.
• Be aware when typing your password in public, or that in no way anyone is watching.
• Some types of electronic devices like computers and smartphones can remember passwords, so beware of devices that are not yours.
• Make a schedule of when to change your password. For example, every 180 days.
• It is not recommended to write down passwords. But if you have to, make sure that it is neither physically nor visually accessible by others.