| One of the most important things you should do | | | | characters long. This password or sometimes |
| when you purchase a new wireless router is to | | | | referred to as passphrase must consist of letters |
| make sure that you set up encryption so you | | | | between A-F and numbers 0-9 it's essential that |
| keep your network secure. If you leave your | | | | you choose a strong password and a mixture of |
| network open it is an inevitable that others will | | | | letters and numbers will ensure this. |
| start to use it as they see it as an opportunity to | | | | When you have changed the configuration |
| browse the Internet and possibly access your files | | | | settings on your router you need to save this and |
| and information. | | | | will most likely be asked to restart. Once this is |
| Because of the variety of routers available in the | | | | done you can no longer connect over open |
| marketplace it's essential that you have a quick | | | | connection on your wireless network you would |
| overview of the owners manual. Essentially most | | | | therefore need to "view available networks" on |
| routers are very similar in what they do, however | | | | your laptop and you come connects on your WiFi |
| the interface can look slightly different so it's | | | | network. You should then be asked for a |
| impossible to tell you exactly what you need to | | | | password, which is to 10 digit passwords you |
| do in order to make sure that you switch on | | | | selected. Once this is done you will be securely |
| encryption. Once you have enabled encryption | | | | connected to your encrypted WiFi network. |
| you will then restrict access to allowed uses only | | | | There are a number of other security settings |
| that will use a password or pass phrase that you | | | | that you can do it and you can consult your |
| have selected. | | | | manual will in order to do this. It's essential on all |
| But in the configuration area on your router you | | | | home-based or even business based wireless |
| will have security settings in this area you need to | | | | networks that encryption is enabled. Other areas |
| select the encryption type you want to use. Many | | | | like using MAC addresses can ensure that you |
| people opt to use WEP encryption, and this is | | | | have a higher level of security. |
| selected you must choose a password that is 10 | | | | |