Hello Peter, I'll try and help if I can. I'm assuming you're using Windows XP.
First, when enabling security on your router, it is best to connect using a wired, rather than wireless connection.
Open your web browser, as if about to view a web page, but instead type the address of your router in the address bar. I think this is
http://192.168.2.1 (Note there is no 'www'.)
If successful, you should see a screen asking for a password. The default is set as blank, so just click 'login'.
You should see a home page. Click the option for 'Advanced Setup'. Then click the left hand menu item, 'System', then 'Password Settings'.
You should see a screen where you can change your current (blank) password to a password of your choice, and then confirm the choice (it should have 3 to 12 characters, letters and/or numbers). Click 'Apply' to save the settings.
To secure your router, there are a couple more steps to follow. Click the 'Wireless' option on the left hand menu. Under 'Channel and SSID', you should see a screen which shows your SSID (a name for the router)....It is a good security idea to change this to another name - anything you like, as long as you can remember it! Click 'Apply' to confirm the new setting.
Then select 'Encryption' from the Wireless menu. Select 128 bit WEP encryption. You should see a box asking for a 'passphrase'. Enter any phrase, made up from letters and numbers, with no spaces, and click 'Generate'.
I hope you will then see a series of numbers split into boxes. Write down the numbers in sequence (or maybe you could print the screen?). This is your encryption key. Click 'Apply' to save the settings.
You can then exit from this screen.
The last thing to do is set up your wireless adapter connection (eg, a laptop, or whichever computer has the wireless connection). When your wireless connection tries to access the internet, you should see your router with its new name come up in the 'available networks'. Click to connect, then enter your WEP key when prompted.
I hope this helps you. I'm not a pro, just lending a hand, so please come back to Fixya if anything is not clear, or doesn't work as expected! All the best.
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