Title: Setting up WEP, WPA or WPA2 personal wireless security on a Linksys wireless router
Article ID: 19073
Setting up your network’s wireless security is the first thing you need to do with your router to prevent other people from using your wireless Internet connection.
To set up wireless security on your router, you need to access its web-based setup page first. Follow the instructions below to know how:
Step 1:
Open any web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer). On the Address bar, enter your router’s local IP address then press [Enter]. The default IP address of Linksys routers is 192.168.1.1.
NOTE: If you’re having difficulties accessing the web-based setup page, click
here to learn how to resolve this issue. If you are using a Mac computer, click
here for instructions
.
Step 2:
When the login prompt appears, leave the User name field blank, then enter “admin” on the Password field.
NOTE: If you have set a password before but forgot it, you need to reset the device. For instructions on how to reset a Linksys router, click
here.
QUICK TIP: The router’s password, which you used in this step, is different from the password of your wireless network. This password is only used to access the router’s web-based setup page.
You will be redirected to the main screen of the setup page.
Step 3:
On the setup page, click the Wireless tab then click the Wireless Security sub-tab.
Step 4:
On the Configuration View section, click the Manual radio button.
IMPORTANT: For other models, you may immediately scroll down the page until you reach the Wireless Security section.
Your Linksys router supports four (4) of the most commonly used wireless security types: WEP, WPA Personal, WPA2 Personal and WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode. Here’s a table that best compares the different security types:
| Security |
Rank |
Number of Characters |
WEP
Wired Equivalent Protocol
|
Basic |
40/64-bit (10 characters)
128-bit (26 characters)
|
WPA Personal
Wi-Fi Protected Access Personal |
Strong |
8-63 characters |
WPA2 Personal
Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 Personal
|
Strongest |
8-63 characters |
| WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode |
WPA2: Strongest
WPA: Strong
|
8-63 characters |
WPA, WPA2 and WPA2/WPA security modes are highly recommended over WEP for a higher level of security. Follow the instructions below to know how to set up each security mode.
Setting up WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode
Step 1:
On the Security Mode field, select WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode and enter your Passphrase.
NOTE: The Passphrase must consist of at least eight (8) characters and is case-sensitive.
NOTE: WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode is also referred to as PSK2-Mixed for some Linksys routers. Refer to the image below for an example.
Step 2:
Click
.
Setting up WPA2 Personal
Step 1:
On the Security Mode field, select WPA2 Personal and enter your Passphrase.
NOTE: The Passphrase must consist of at least eight (8) characters and is case-sensitive.
NOTE: WPA2 Personal is also referred to as PSK2 for some Linksys routers. Refer to the image below for an example.
Step 2:
Click
.
Setting up WPA Personal
Step 1:
On Security Mode, select WPA Personal and enter your Passphrase.
NOTE: The Passphrase must consist of at least eight (8) characters and is case-sensitive.
NOTE: WPA Personal is also referred to as WPA Pre-Shared Key or PSK Personal for some Linksys routers. Refer to the images below for an example.
WPA Pre-Shared Key
NOTE: The WPA Shared Key in the image above is the network password you will use to connect wirelessly.
PSK Personal
NOTE: The Pre-shared Key in the image above is the network password you will use to connect wirelessly.
Step 2:
Click
.
For dual-band routers, setting up the wireless security may depend on the exact type of dual-band router that you are using. Dual-band routers can be either simultaneous or selectable. If the router is selectable, this means that you can only use one (1) wireless band at a time and set a single wireless network password.
However, if your dual-band router is simultaneous, you can use both 2.4 and 5 GHz wireless bands at the same time. This also means that you can set two (2) different wireless network names and wireless passwords for each frequency (which is actually recommended to avoid interference).
NOTE: To know what type of dual-band router you are using, click here. For instructions on personalizing your 5 GHz wireless band settings, click
here.
Once you have set up appropriate wireless security you can now connect computers to your wireless network. To learn how, click
here. You can also connect other wireless devices to your router such as an iPad
®, smartphones, game consoles, printers, and access points. To learn how, click
here.
You can also add other networking devices that can enhance the capability of your network and your wireless experience. These devices are:
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