I want to secure an unsecured linksys router

SOURCE: my linksys says it is unsecured. how do i make it secured?

I found a link on how you can secure your wireless network. Click here. Let me know if you will still have a problem.

SOURCE: Secured connection is gone and all we have is Linksys unsecured

Next time try unplugging the router for 30-60 seconds then plug it back in. Should resolve minor glitches like this one.

SOURCE: Secure network becomes unsecure all of a sudden

Sounds like the battery that backs up this router's "firmware" and "programmable" memory settings may be going bad. Then again, it may not have a battery that does this. Perhaps the little reset button on the back is jammed in?

SOURCE: Security code for Linksys router

Many Windows XP users have home networks which utilize a router which allows several computers to share the same Internet connection. It is important to know that perimeter security is just as important as keeping your PC locked down. Doing so will prevent successful attacks from the outside world. This article covers how to secure a Linksys WRT54G router.

Here are the step-by-step instructions:

1. Log in to your router by opening your web browser and going to http://192.168.1.1 - this is the address to acces your router. If this is your first time logging in, leave the username field blank and enter 'admin' (without the quote marks of course) as the password.
2. The first thing to do is back up your current configuration. This way if you set something incorrectly you can always revert back to the original setup. Click the "Administration" tab.
3. Click "Config Management"
4. Click the "Backup" button. Choose a location to save your configuration where you will remember.
5. Click "Management"
6. If you have not yet created your own router password you will need to do this now. If you have, please skip to step 11.
7. Next, where it says "Router Password:" enter a new password into the text field.
8. Enter the password again in the box that says "Re-enter to confirm:".
9. Then, Click the "Save Settings" button. and wait for the confirmation page.
10. Click the "Continue" button. From now on when you log in you will need to enter 'admin' as the username and use your new password.
11. Click the "Security" tab.
12. Where it says "Firewall Protection:" tick the box that says "Enable" if it is not already selected.
13. Place a check mark next to the box where it says "Block Anonymous Internet Requests"
14. Place a check mark next to the box where it says "Filter Multicast"
15. Place a check mark next to the box where it says "Filter Internet NAT Redirection"
16. Place a check mark next to the box where it says "Filter IDENT(Port 113)"
17. Click the "Save Settings" button and wait for the confirmation page.
18. Click the "Continue" button.
19. If you are not using your router for incoming http (web) connections, it is a good idea to turn off remote admin. Click the "Administration" tab again. Where it says "Remote Management:" tick the box that says "Disable" if it is not already selected.
20. Click the "Save Settings" button and wait for the confirmation page.
21. Click the "Continue" button.
22. Sometimes disabling this does not work, so to make sure, click "Applications & Gaming"
23. In the first available slot under the "Application" column, enter "Security".
24. In the same row, under the "Start" column, enter the number 80.
25. Enter 80 again in the adjacent box to the right under "End".
26. For the "Protocol" select "TCP".
27. Under "IP Address" enter the number 254.
28. Check the "Enable" box for this entry.
29. Click the "Save Settings" button and wait for the confirmation page.
30. Click the "Continue" button. This will divert all incoming connections for web access to the router to a non-existant host. This reduces the chance of a break-in from a nosy outsider.
    

SOURCE: How do I make my connection secure to the internet?

When you connected, did it ask you for a password? If not then it's obviously unsecured. Here's how to fix that... i have the same router.
On XP... open internet explorer... in the address bar, type in: 192.168.1.1

On vista.... click start menu...click on network...right click on router and select properties. Next, click on the "Network Device" tab at top of the new window. You will then see "Device Webpage"... click on the ip address to the right of that underlined in blue. It should ask you for a password... if you haven't set one manually the user is admin and the password is also admin. I recommend changing that to a manual password ASAP. Ok, after logging in, now you have the router's set up page in your web browser.
To make it secure:
On the set up page you now have open... you have a few selections that act like tabs: Setup, Wireless, Security, Access Restrictions, etc... Click on Wireless. After clicking on that, you have some tabs underneath wireless you can click on now.
Those selections should be: Basic wireless settings, Wireless security, Wireless MAC Filter, etc... Click on Wireless Security. There you should see disabled on the first drop down. Pick a WEP, WPA or whatever you prefer. I personnally use WEP with 64bit 10 hex and for the password, i use a 10 digit number.
After you have set up your password and security, click save settings at the bottom. After it's done processing the save, you can close the web browser. You are good to go now.
By the way, I recommended changing your password to access the router's set up page. Make absolutely sure you save that username/password in a safe location. If you forget it, there is nothing linksys can do to help you. I know from experience unfortunately.
Hope all this helped... Good Luck