Linksys Wireless Broadband Router: How To Protect Your Network - Computers - Networks

If you have purchased a Linksys wireless broadband router, that means that you have installed one of the most reliable and secure devices out there. Should you sit back and do nothing at this point? No, and in fact, if you do not take measures to protect your network, it could fall victim to those outside of it that would love to get in and have access to your personal information.

It is important to note that using a Linksys wireless router is not a problem, so long as you can ensure that the network has protection. The following tips will help you to protect your network from any form of invasion.

1. Be sure to change the Linksys admin password. This password is preset at the factory but that does not mean that it should stay that way. It takes a few minutes to change it in the administrator login.

2. Change the default SSID, or Service Set Identifier. This too is set by the factor. It is the name of your network. It can be up to 32 characters in length. If someone is trying to get into your network, and they know your SSID, they can get in. Be unique to ensure others will not know this information.

3. Encryption will also help you. Enable WPA encryption on your Linksys wireless broadband router. It will protect data transmitted over your network. Enable the highest level of encryption that is possible and supported by your network.

4. Get rid of the SSID broadcast. The next thing to do to protect your network is to disable the SSID broadcast that is the default setting for the system. Unless you want everyone to be able to use your connection, simply set this to be off.

5. Do enable MAC address filtering on your router. Linksys allows you to do this. This process allows you to choose which of the computers or devices will have access to your network.

Although there are numerous steps that you can take to protect each one of your computers, when you link them together through a router, it is more important to focus on the entire network rather than just one element. Therefore, protect your Linksys wireless broadband router by setting up the previously mentioned security features that can all be accessed through the administrator login. It is important to keep your system protected for the long term.

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