Wireless Internet access has become very popular within our homes. The benefit of being able to wonder around the home and garden without cables is great, but after configuring your wireless network did you remember to change the default admin password on your router? Most would answer No!!
Not changing the admin password and not encrypting your wireless router is an open door for hackers to be able to access your network/router. It is still possible to hack a secure wireless network but it makes it more difficult and may put hackers off. Non secure networks are an easy target so hackers will not waste their time hacking secure networks when there are lots of non secure networks being broadcasted.
When a hacker accesses your wireless network, they obtain an ip address by your router known as DHCP. I’m not going to go into too much detail of how one can access your router for security reasons but once connected there are ways once can access your router and if you have not changed the default password, can easily access your router and do as they wish.
I would recommend:
1) Change the default admin password on your wireless router
2) Enabling encryption by setting up a secure key
3) Stop your router from broadcasting your wireless network name (SSID)
4) Configure filtering so only certain machines you own can access your network.
If the above has not got you to thinking about securing your wireless network, then may be the next paragraph will.
One who accesses your wireless network could make fraudulent orders using a stolen credit. When the police investigate your home will be the targeted first as it was your Internet connection which was used.
I was not informed of such risks by my ISP. I have read your tutorial and believe I have improved security. Thanks and good night
Never thought about such dangers. Thankyou so much
You should write more on such topics.
Your writing style is simple and really easy to understand.
I have visited other blogs and being a non techy person, non of it makes sense to me. 🙁
I have now secured my wireless network and my brothers. 🙂
Thankyou and i hope to read more in the near future
I installed my router but forgot to set a password. someone used it & installed a new password, wht shud i do?
m having my router with me now but i can’t get in & change ma settings…
can ne1 help…???
i already pressed tht reset switch, bt it isnt workin… i cant get in the settings page… 🙁
can ne1 tell me wht’s the exact IP which i shud b usin for myself for enterin in the settings page….???
Hi Shitiz
If you push in the reset button and keep it pushed in until all lights on your router flash, it will reset your router.
You will need to configure your router again and don’t forget to setup a wireless key and password protect your router.
Please let me know if you require any further assistance
you are too good.