When you buy a wireless router it is not secure and its default configuration will allow unwanted users that are in the vicinity of your router to connect to the internet and “steal” your wireless router internet connection. They could also gain access to your PC and steal files and folders of data. Manufacturers leave the configuration “open” so that the user can easily set up the router and get it up and running quickly. However, there is a risk if the router is not secure.

Accessing Your Wireless Router’s Configuration

To gain access to your wireless router settings and configuration menu then connect to the router either wirelessly or via a Ethernet cable. Open a web browser and type either:

http://192.168.1.1 or

http://192.168.2.1

1) Change Admin password

Most wireless routers ship with a blank password. It is essential that this is changed else a potential hacker could get into your router configuration and lock you out of your own hardware.

2) Change The Network Name (otherwise known as the SSID)

The default network name is usually made up of the name/model of your wireless router. This information gives a head start for a hacker and makes it easier for them to break into your network. Don’t rename it to something like your surname or house name as this unnecessarily exposes personal information. Rename it to an alpha-numeric string – this can be up to 32 characters long.

3) Turn off SSID broadcasting

By default, a wireless router’s SSID is broadcast so anyone in the vicinity of your wireless router can see that it. SSID broadcasting can be turned off thus making your wireless router virtually invisible.

4) Enabling Encryption

This is switched off by default. There is a choice of WEP, WPA and WPA2. Currently the latest encryption method is WPA2 so use this where possible. Both your wireless router and wireless PC adaptor must be configured to use the same encryption.

5) Mac Address Control

All hardware has a unique MAC address associated with it, including your PC adaptor card. This MAC address can be added to access control list in the wireless router. Only devices added to the router’s access control list are allowed to be connected.

6) Update router firmware

It is recommended that the latest router firmware is downloaded from the manufacturer’s website and installed in the router. This will hopefully fix any bugs that have been found for your router and also help with any known security flaws in the router itself.

7) Backup settings

Finally, backup all router settings. If you reset the router back to its factory default settings for whatever reason, your configuration can later be easily and quickly restored back into the router.

With wireless networks becoming the norm in network computing both at home and in offices, it is not surprising that these users of wireless networks are now turning as well to setting up a wireless printer to address whatever printing needs that they may have. After all, since wireless printers do not require Ethernet or local area network cables, it is more economical to install them instead of laying out meters upon meters of network cables either at home or in the office.

Setting up a wireless printer is not a complicated matter to accomplish. It can take as short as five steps to get the whole thing done.

Step #1: The Location of the Wireless Printer.

Since more than one computer would be making use of the wireless printer. It makes sense to figure out the best place to put it. The wireless printer should be set up at a place at home or in the office that is accessible to everyone and where there is ample space for paper, printer ink and other such paraphernalia.

Step #2: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?

There are two connectivity choices when it comes to setting up a wireless printer, and these two choices are none other than Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Most new computers and printers nowadays are equipped with either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capacities, but if not, it is easy to get a wireless card that can be plugged using a USB port. The only difference is that Bluetooth printers has a smaller range than Wi-Fi.

Step #3: Enable Printer Sharing

The server computer’s operating system must be informed that the printer that will be added to its network is a wireless printer. In Windows Vista, this is done by accessing the network settings in the Control Panel and then activating file and printer sharing in the local area network settings.

Step #4: Share the Printer.

The other computers on the network must also be set up for using the wireless printer. To do this in Windows Vista, open the Control Panel in the classic view and then open Printers. Right click on the printer that is going to be shared, and then open Properties. In Properties, check the box that allows the printer to be a shared device.

Step #5: Continuous Troubleshooting

Wireless networks are prone to interruptions, and so it is important for whoever it is that is maintaining the wireless network at home or at the office to keep the connections to the wireless printer active. Nothing is more irritating that setting up a wireless printer and then encountering numerous glitches afterwards.