How to Secure a Wireless Network Adapter
One of the pitfalls of using a wireless network connection is that it is, in many ways, less secure than wired connections. Hackers and wireless leechers can view the network's SSID, or name, in their computer, and if the wireless network connection between your router and adapter isn't secured, they can easily get right into your network. Because of this possibility, it is important that your wireless network is secured.
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Instructions
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Place your wireless router in a central location in your home. This will prevent the wireless signal from traveling too far outside your walls, which in turn will prevent possible hackers/leechers from even seeing your network in their list of networks within range.
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Log in to your wireless router's Web setup tool. This is done by typing your router's internal IP address---usually "192.168.1.1," "192.168.0.1" or "192.168.2.1"---into your Web browser's address bar. Consult your wireless router documentation for the default user name and password and type it in when prompted.
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Go to the "Wireless Settings" or similarly named section of the Web setup tool and further secure your wireless network signal. Type a new name in the "SSID" field and then, in the "Security" section, select a wireless encryption type. In order of most secure to least secure, the options in most routers will be "WEP," "WPA," "WPA2," and "WPA + WPA2."
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Select one of the wireless encryption types and follow the onscreen prompts to input a password. When ready, click "Apply" to secure the connection between your wireless router and your wireless network adapter. The next time you attempt to access the wireless network on your computer, you will be prompted to input the password you set up in your wireless router. Input the password to begin using your secured network.
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