how do i secure my belkin router

joop123

I have been using my belkin router for some time now but have never secured it (i now know how stupid this is)
I have no instructions with it and am after an idiots guide on how i would go about securing it. it is a version 1100uk.

i have tried googling how to do it but not having much success

thanks

Paddy

JasX

I'm assuming its wireless?

Best bet is to hide the SSID (basically the name of the network, should be an option 'not to broadcast SSID') so nobody knows its there. It will make it slightly more awkward detecting and setting up new computers/laptops/PDAs with it but is probably the easiest and most secure way of keeping secure.

(when hidden, to set up new computers you can either manually enter the network/SS ID and password to them or make the router briefly visible, set the new machine up and then make it invisible again)

Setting up an access password/encryption is also a very good idea, although these can be easily broken these days with widely available software (if anyone really wants to get on they'll need to make more effort to crack it), WPA is better than WEP if your router gives you the option.

What will also make your password protected router more secure is setting it to only allow selected MAC addresses to connect to it (you need to look up what the MAC is for each maching and enter them into the MAC address filtering section of your router setup), again gives you more security (needing to find out both a valid MAC and WPA key is alot harder to do) but makes setting up new devices more awkward -personally i live with an invisible SSID and WPA password.

Your router will also have some form of logging/history where you can look up a list of anyone who's connected to it recently, whatever you do security wise if you ever want to put your mind at rest check it from time to time and if its clear (ie only contains computers you know are yours) you're almost certainly ok.

EDIT1 - Oh almost forgot Definitely Definitely change the admin password to access your router's setup/config settings to something other than the one it came set with by the factory.

EDIT2 -if you need help with specifics it'd be helpful to know your exact model (number) of router

-TangleFoot-

joop123 wrote: »

it is a version 1100uk.

That's not the model number. Have you tried looking here?

joop123

i think the model number is F5D7231uk4P

on the belkin page it tells me to login to the User Interface of your (Modem) Router or Access Point via your Internet Browser. how do i do this

Paddy

aliEnRIK

Put this into the ADDRESS BAR of your browser ~
http://192.168.2.1/

joop123

Gave it a go, completly !!!!!!ed it up and spent most of the evening trying to sort it out, but now it is done.

thanks for the replies

Paddy

aliEnRIK

joop123 wrote: »

Gave it a go, completly !!!!!!ed it up and spent most of the evening trying to sort it out, but now it is done.

thanks for the replies

Paddy

We've all been there mate

PROLIANT