Setting up WEP, WPA or WPA2 wireless security

Why should I set up security on my Linksys wireless router?

Wireless connection is a necessity nowadays and because of this, wireless security is essential to ensure safety in your local network.

The different wireless security features of your Linksys router guard your network against possible instances of hacking. With these, you can:

  • Ensure that no one can easily connect to your WiFi and use the internet without any permission.
  • Personalize access on who can configure your wireless settings.
  • Protect all data that is transmitted through WiFi.

One method of establishing security on your network is to set up WEP, WPA™ or WPA2™ as your wireless security mode. To learn how to do this, follow the instructions below:

Setting up WEP, WPA or WPA2 Personal wireless security on a Linksys wireless router


1. Access the router’s web-based setup page by opening a web browser such as internet Explorer® or Safari®. On the Address bar, enter your router’s local IP address then press [Enter]. When the login prompt appears, enter your router’s User name and Password.

NOTE: The default local IP Address of Linksys routers is 192.168.1.1, while the default password is “admin” and user name field is left blank.

QUICK TIP: If you personalized the router's User name and Password, use those credentials instead. If you have lost or forgotten them, you need to reset the router. 


2. You will now be redirected to the main screen of the setup page. On the setup page, click the Wireless tab then click the Wireless Security sub-tab.

sf139152-001_en_v5.png


3. On the Configuration View section, click the Manual radio button.

sf139152-002_en_v5.png

Other router models, especially the older versions do not have the Manual option and may require you to scroll down the page until you reach the Wireless Security section instead.

sf139152-003_en_v5.png


4. You can now select from the four options.

Your Linksys router supports four of the most commonly used wireless security modes which you can choose from: WEP, WPA Personal, WPA2 Personal, and WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode. Here’s a table that best compares the different security types for your reference:

 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.

WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode
WPA2 Personal
WPA Personal

 

WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode


1. On the Security Mode field, select WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode and enter your Passphrase.

NOTE: The Passphrase must consist of at least eight characters and is case-sensitive.

sf139152-004_en_v5.png

NOTE: WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode is also referred to as PSK2-Mixed for some Linksys routers. Refer to the image below for an example.

sf139152-005_en_v5.png


2. Click sf139152-006_en_v5.png.


1. On the Security Mode field, select WPA2 Personal and enter your Passphrase.

NOTE: The Passphrase must consist of at least eight characters and is case-sensitive.

sf139152-007_en_v5.png

NOTE: WPA2 Personal is also referred to as PSK2 for some Linksys routers. Refer to the image below for an example.

sf139152-008_en_v5.png


2. Click sf139152-009_en_v5.png.


1. On Security Mode, select WPA Personal and enter your Passphrase.

NOTE: The Passphrase must consist of at least eight characters and is case-sensitive.

sf139152-010_en_v5.png

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

sf139152-011_en_v5.png

NOTE: The WPA Shared Key in the image above is the network password you will use to connect wirelessly.

PSK Personal

sf139152-012_en_v5.png

NOTE: The Pre-shared Key in the image above is the network password you will use to connect wirelessly.

 

2. Click sf139152-013_en_v5.png.

NOTE: If you encounter a problem in selecting the type of security you wish to have, you should reset your router.  If problem still persists, you should upgrade your router's firmware to its latest version. 

Other things to remember

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 wireless band at a time and set a single WiFi 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 different WiFi names and wireless passwords for each frequency (which is actually recommended to avoid interference).

Once you have set up appropriate wireless security for both bands you are now ready to connect computers and other wireless devices such as an iPad®, smartphones, game consoles, printers, and access points to the router. You may click on the links below for instructions.

Computers
iPhone®
Apple TV®
Android™ tablet
PlayStation®3
Nintendo Wii™



Find out more:

Combining wireless security methods for your wireless network

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