How to Secure Internet Router?

[911Freak]

I know I read somewhere here how to do this, but couldn't find anything in a search so....

We have a D-Link DL-524 wireless router hooked up to our cable modem

It isn't secure and as we live in a condo

And I'm positive someone is piggy-backing on our signal and bringing our band width down

We run 2 laptops wireless and a desk Top PC all wireless

Question

In simple terms and steps How do secure this thing?


PS We'd love to be able to set up our printer for wireless printing too

Many thanks

[MotoSook]

It should be in the manual you got with the router...you would have seen the option when setting up the router.

[slodave]

Do you still have the manual? Would be the easiest way. You need to know the default IP for the router, point your web browser to it and login. The username is probably admin and if it has never been setup before, the password is probably blank.

[masraum]

Enable WPA2 if all of your devices support it, or WPA, or at the very least, WEP. Use a pre-shared key.

There are several things that most security experts will tell you is a waste of time that other folks will tell you to do. 1 disable SSID broadcast 2 MAC filter

The problem is that no matter what you do, they'll always be able to get in if they are smart enough. I suspect that most folks just go where the encryption is open.

So, enable encryption and use a pre-shared key. THat'll keep 99.997% of the folks out.

[911Freak]

We're looking for the manual, it's my GF's and even though she keeps everything, manual no where to be found

Isn't there a way to search for the IP?

Thanks guys keep it coming, everyhting helps at this point!

This is now our home office where we do the majority of our career work on the internet, so now that i'm here it's got to be secure!

Thank you

[911Freak]

Originally Posted by masraum

Enable WPA2 if all of your devices support it, or WPA, or at the very least, WEP. Use a pre-shared key.

There are several things that most security experts will tell you is a waste of time that other folks will tell you to do. 1 disable SSID broadcast 2 MAC filter

The problem is that no matter what you do, they'll always be able to get in if they are smart enough. I suspect that most folks just go where the encryption is open.

So, enable encryption and use a pre-shared key. THat'll keep 99.997% of the folks out.

Where do I find this?

[stomachmonkey]

Most routers can be accessed from inside your network at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.0.10 or 192.168.1.0

Look at your dynamically assigned ip to figure out the start range.

Most will default to a login of admin with no password.

If it asks for a PW you can always reset to factory defaults by inserting a paperclip into the reset in the back. I WOULD NOT ADVISE DOING THAT RIGHT AWAY.

Some ISPs configure specific connectivity info, (DSL) that can get blown away.

Here's a link to the manual in case you don't have it.

http://www.myacrobatpdf.com/8429/dlink-wireless-router-dl-524-setup-instructions.html#

[911Freak]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Most routers can be accessed from inside your network at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.0.10 or 192.168.1.0

Look at your dynamically assigned ip to figure out the start range.

Most will default to a login of admin with no password.

If it asks for a PW you can always reset to factory defaults by inserting a paperclip into the reset in the back. I WOULD NOT ADVISE DOING THAT RIGHT AWAY.

Some ISPs configure specific connectivity info, (DSL) that can get blown away.

Here's a link to the manual in case you don't have it.

http://www.myacrobatpdf.com/8429/dlink-wireless-router-dl-524-setup-instructions.html#

Excellent THANK YOU!!

[masraum]

If you click on Start --> run -- then type "CMD" and hit enter. In the Black box type "ipconfig /all". That will give you your "default gateway". The IP for your default gateway should be the IP of the router.

[masraum]

or you could just read the link that he posted. It tells you the IP, 192.168.0.1.

One thing that you'll have to confirm is that your PCs support WPA.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally Posted by 911Freak

We're looking for the manual, it's my GF's and even though she keeps everything, manual no where to be found

Isn't there a way to search for the IP?

Thanks guys keep it coming, everyhting helps at this point!

This is now our home office where we do the majority of our career work on the internet, so now that i'm here it's got to be secure!

Thank you

Just go the the router manufacturer website and download a copy of the manual.

Or how about this website?

http://www.shoalhaven.net.au/sis/setup/dlink.pdf

[911Freak]

Originally Posted by ruf-porsche

Just go the the router manufacturer website and download a copy of the manual.

Indeed, stomachmonkey ( ) beat me to it and provided a link!

Bingo it was right there

You guys are the best!

Imagine if I would have calle D-link for assistance, I'd still be on hold waiting for an initial conversation

Pelicans all deserve

[MBAtarga]

Disable the broadcast of the ID as well.

[rcecale]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

Disable the broadcast of the ID as well.

Doing this and using WPA (or WEP) are great, but one more thing you can add is MAC Filtering. You specify the MAC address of the NIC Cards (Wireless Network Cards) that are allowed to access your network.

While not 100% foolproof, using this "tripple-threat" makes for a fairly secure network.

Randy