Setting up a security-enabled network with the DI 514

Hi,

I will lend a hand if I can. To secure your wireless router, there are four main steps to take:

1) Login to your router, using a wired connection
2) Change the router login password
3) Change the network name (SSID)
4) Enable WPA encryption (this is where you set up a security password or network key).

Here are some details:

1) Login to your router, using a wired (Ethernet) connection.
Make sure you have a cabled connection to your router. Then open a web browser, and type the router’s IP address into the address bar. The default for this router is http://192.168.0.1 – if this doesn’t work, please come back and I will help you find the correct address.

Enter username and password at the prompt. For this router, the defaults are username: admin and password is left blank. If you have set your own login password, please enter this.

If successful, you should now see your router configuration screen.

2) Change the router login password.
If you haven’t set a router login password, this is a good place to start.

Go to Tools > Admin. Set and confirm new user and administrator passwords. Make sure these are not easy to guess, or another user could login to your router and view/change your settings.

Click ‘Apply’ when finished.

Tip: write the login password on a label and stick it to your router.

3) Change the SSID (network name):
The SSID or Network Name is the name you see when you are looking for an ‘available wireless network’.

To change this, go to Home > Wireless. Change the SSID from the default, to anything you like. It is case sensitive, and you can use up to 32 letters – but do not use something that could identify you, or your location. Click ‘Apply’ when finished.

4) Enable WPA (or WEP) encryption.
This is achieved within the same screen as the SSID. Use the dropdown box under ‘Network Authentication’ to select WPA-PSK, if available. ( I don’t know the exact version number of your router, so you may not have WPA as an available option.)

If you can use WPA, the next step is to enter a network key. Select key type ‘Passphrase’ and enter your network key under ‘Pre-Shared Key’.

The network key should be a long password, or passphrase, between 8 and 63 letters/numbers long. This can be any series of letters/ numbers, or you can use a phrase with numbers - eg, 451ThisisGooDFunforgEeks7899. It is case sensitive. If you think your connection is likely to be hacked, pick a very strong network key.

Note down your network key carefully. You will need this to connect wirelessly. Click ‘Apply’ when finished. (Please note that the network key may also be known as WPA-PSK, WPA Shared Key, PSK, Security key, Passphrase, Pre-shared key, Authentication key, security password.)

NOTE: If you do not have WPA-PSK, you will need to set a WEP key – see this link for details:
http://support.dlink.com/faq/view.asp?prod_id=1055&question=DI%2D514+wep


That's it - you have done enough to secure your network, and can close the screen.

There are further security options to enable if you wish, but these three are the most important.

When you next connect wirelessly, you should see your wireless router with its new name in the 'available wireless networks'. When you attempt to connect, you are asked for the network key you set in Step 4. If all goes well, you can then save this and will connect automatically in future.

If you get stuck with any of this, please come back to Fixya. Good luck! :)