How to Protect a Linksys WRT54G Router Using WAP and WEP

You are subject to risk if you're using wireless LAN. Securing a wireless connection is very important to protect personal or corporate information.

Below I’ll describe how to secure the Linksys wireless broadband router WRT54G.

The device is not secured by default. Thats right, by default it is shipped INSECURE.

Most people use the router with the default configuration, which allows hackers to access their internet broadband.

And that's not even the worst thing. The biggest danger is that hackers can have access to the personal or corporate data stored in your computer, or if they download songs teh RIAA could come after you!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Connect your computer to the router using a network cable. You can use wireless if you like but you have an easier time if this is wired.

2. Open your Web browser. Enter: http://192.168.1.1 in the address field. This is an internal IP address to access your router. Press the Enter Key.
   
   This is the default IP of Linksys routers, if yours uses a different one, use that instead.

3. When the password request appears leave the user name field blank. By default, the password is admin.

4. After logging in, you are not required to change the default administrative password. However, it’s fully recommended that you change the default password by clicking on the Administration tab and Management. Enter a new password in the Password field and again in the Re-enter field to confirm. click Save Settings to confirm, and you will get logged out.

5. Log back in, and go to the Wireless tab.
   In the Basic Wireless Settings enter a name for your wireless network connection in the Wireless Network Name (SSID). Set the Wireless Broadcast to Disable.
   When wireless clients survey the local area for wireless networks to associate with, they will detect the SSID broadcast by the Router if the Broadcast is enabled. Do not broadcast the Router SSID. It should be disabled for better security. Save your settings.

6. Just click on Generate and the 4 keys will appear. Take note of the one that you will add in your wireless device.
   
   Use a lengthy, unique encryption key that is non-obvious and rotate it frequently.
   Click Save Settings to save your settings.

7. Now you have to go to your wireless device in your notebook and/or desktop and make sure the wireless configuration matches the router configuration. You should be all set.

Tips & Warnings

• unless you know what you are doing, make sure Remote Management item is disabled.
• your SSID should be set following similar rules for setting a password, e.g. at least 8 characters, a combination of letters, numbers and non consecutive characters
• Disabling the SSID broadcast is not a strong security setting, but it can help prevent intruders from sharing your WLAN
• you are not using the wireless network in your router, you should then disable the wireless signal: (Go back to the Wireless tab and in the Basic Wireless Setting. Change the Wireless Network Mode to Disable.) You can go back to the same page later and Enable the wireless network. You will not lose your configuration.

[AminTaheri]

on 9/8/2008 Hi,
Its possible we have different versions of the linksys, do you have the wrt54g? if so, do you not have the option to disable the SSID broadcast?

[chicklet7]

on 9/8/2008 I got to step 5 of this process and then it seems the directions don't really match the Liknsys webpage. Is there any way to get help with this?