SpAceTraNce

Every day someone will ask “how do i set a password on my wireless router”.

I will give you detailed instructions on how to do just that.

I will be using the Linksys wrt54g for my example. If you have a different model wireless router you can still follow the instructions.

There are a couple of steps involved.

First we will find the IP address of the router. Which will be the “default gateway” of your computer.
Then we will connect to the configuration screens in your router.
Then change the password.

1. Click on Start->Run(if using vista/seven type the command from step 2 in the “search” field and press enter)

2. Type “cmd” w/o the quotes.

3. At the MS-DOS prompt type ‘ipconfig’

4. Make note of the “Gateway Address” IP address.

5. Open a web browser(IE or Firefox) remove the address that is in the address bar and type in the numbers that you made note of in step 4. Press enter

6. You should be prompted for a username and password. The default for most linksys devices. Is admin/admin. If that doesn’t work lookup the model number and cross reference it with this list: http://www.phenoelit-us.org/dpl/dpl.html

Now there are a couple of ‘passwords’ that you can set. When people ask to set a password for a wireless access point they are usually referring to the ‘network key’. This ‘network key’ will secure your wireless network so unauthorized people cannot connect to your Internet. There is also a ‘administration password’ which is the password you typed in step 6 to access the configuration screens. I advise changing both. Be sure you write these downs and don’t lose them. I usually write them down and tape them to the wireless router (make sure you don’t cover up ventilation slots).

Note: The below direction are for a wrt54g. Your screens may differ but the idea/concept will be the same.

7. To set the network key: Click “Wireless” -> “Wireless Security”

8. Choose WPA/Personal then enter your desired wireless key. I do not advise using WEP it is easily hacked in about 2 minutes.

9. To change the administration password: Click “Administration” and change the password.

If you ever forget these password there is a small “reset” button which you can press with a ball point pen. Press and hold that down for about a minute and you will back at the factory default settings. Therefore all password will be cleared/reset.

Good luck,
–SpaCeTraNce