Unsecured network

NinkyNonk_2 · 13 January 2013 at 7:34PM

I have a new wireless router and have just connected to the www on my laptop for the first time. I message popped up saying unsecured network, other users may be able to see private things done via this network. Or something along those lines :"> How do I make ths network secure?
I have a tax return to do and my desktop pc has died today so my laptop is my only hope of getting it done. But I don't want to be doing something as private as a tax return form if the network is unsecured.
Thank you in advance!

closed · 13 January 2013 at 7:36PM

by logging into the router config screen and setting a wireless password wpa2/aes preferably

what's wrong with the pc.

you could also use the laptop wired, the hmrc session will be encrypted anyway which will secure it from snooping, but the wireless network needs to be encrypted to stop others using it

NinkyNonk_2 · 13 January 2013 at 7:49PM

I'm sorry for being stupid but how do I set a wireless password? I don't know where to go.
If I wire the laptop directly, will it be a secure network then?

I don't know what is wrong with my desktop pc. I turn it on and it loads and gets so far then all power is lost. It has done this several times today but now doesn't even boot up at all. It was working perfectly last.

closed · 13 January 2013 at 7:53PM

model of router? in the instructions there should be a web address and default password to login to the configuration screen using a browser, eg http://192.168.0.1 http://192.168.1.1 etc

model of pc? does safe mode work, F8 at boot?

the router still needs to be encrypted, to stop other people using it - the use it wired was just an aside - ie you could plug in the wire and do your tax return safely.

AlecEiffel · 13 January 2013 at 7:56PM

To set up the wireless security you'll need to check the make of router (or who you got it from eg Sky, O2 etc).

If you plug into the router then that will be secure for the purpose of you doing your tax thing, but as above the wireless will still be open for neighbours/whoever to browse the web on your connection.

EDIT: ^^^^^what Closed said^^^^^

Splott · 13 January 2013 at 9:38PM

NinkyNonk wrote: »

I'm sorry for being stupid but how do I set a wireless password? I don't know where to go.

Reading the manual for your wireless router would be a good start.

NinkyNonk_2 · 18 January 2013 at 2:44PM

closed wrote: »

model of router? in the instructions there should be a web address and default password to login to the configuration screen using a browser, eg http://192.168.0.1 http://192.168.1.1 etc

model of pc? does safe mode work, F8 at boot?

the router still needs to be encrypted, to stop other people using it - the use it wired was just an aside - ie you could plug in the wire and do your tax return safely.

model of router is Speedtouch Thomson 5B9DAB. Please let me know is there's any other information.

pc is working now. No idea why it went like that :-/

I do not have instructions to this modem as it was given to me (when my old one died before Christmas) and my nephew set it up for me. It was from AOL - do you think they'd be able to give me more info about the modem even though it was given to me and was acquired by relatives years ago?