wireless – IDefendForYou https://www.idefendhome.com Ultimate Protection for Your Digital Life Fri, 05 Jul 2024 17:03:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://idefendforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-idefend-favicon-32x32.png wireless – IDefendForYou https://www.idefendhome.com 32 32 How to Secure Your Router in 4 Steps https://idefendforyou.com/blog/devicesecurity/4stepssecurerouter/ Tue, 28 Apr 2020 16:55:28 +0000 https://idefendforyou.com/?p=5831 Upping the security on your router might seem like a bunch of technobabble or mumbo jumbo, but we'll break it down for you here.

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Device Security

How to Secure Your Router in 4 Steps

Upping the security on your router might seem like a bunch of technobabble or mumbo jumbo, but we'll break it down for you here.

Your router is the gateway to the internet for your home. Every single device on your home network connects to the world via your router, so configuring and guarding it is extremely important.

1. Determine router make & model

The first step to securing your wifi router is to access the device’s admin page, which will give you access to all the advanced settings it’s capable of and allow you to configure them to your liking.

There are a couple ways this can be done. If you have the instructions that came with your router, they will likely be able to tell you how to get to the admin login page. Otherwise, if you are already familiar with getting to your router’s admin page go there now and skip this step.

If you are missing the instructions, click on the button below to head to a website that will help you look up your router’s IP address, which you’ll use to log in.

If you’re unsure of what make/model your router is, most models will have a sticker or label affixed to the side, bottom, or rear of the device that should have the necessary information.

Look up your router

2. Find your IP address

For Windows

Open the command prompt from your start menu (try searching for “cmd” in the search bar on your taskbar usually located on the bottom of the screen).

Type “ipconfig /all” (without quotes) and look for the line that says “default Gateway”. The router’s IP should be the numbers listed on that line (example: Default Gateway ……….: 192.168.1.1).

For macOS

Click on the network icon on your status bar on the top right of your screen. You should see a list of nearby networks and the one you are connected to.

On the bottom of the list, click on Network Preferences.

In the network preferences window on the bottom right, you should see a button labeled “Advanced…”, click on it.

Click on the “TCP/IP” section towards the top, and find “router”.

Finally, the number here is the IP address to your router.

3. Log into your router’s admin page

Once you have found the IP address for your router, type it in the address bar usually on the top of your favorite web browser (Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc..) If you are renting a router from your internet service provider (ISP) and get stuck, we’d suggest calling your ISP and they should be able to point you in the right direction. Our technicians will be glad to help too, but your ISP will be the most familiar with the router they provided you.

4. Setting network encryption

Ensure the network security is set to at least WPA-2 PSK. If available, however, select WPA-3. Sometimes there are compatibility issues between older wifi devices and a router with this level of encryption, so eselecting WPA2-PSK AES + WPA-PSK TKIP can help to remedy or bypass this issue. If these options aren’t available, try checking for a router firmware update. Otherwise, you should seriously consider upgrading to a newer router for better security.

Configuring a router can be complicated and annoying. If you have any Questions or need help understanding and configuring your router, be sure to give us a call.

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]]> How to Connect to Your WiFi Network https://idefendforyou.com/blog/devicesecurity/howtoconnecttowifi/ Tue, 07 Apr 2020 16:34:08 +0000 https://idefendforyou.com/?p=5813 This guide has the basic steps to connect to a WiFi network on: Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS (iPhone or iPad).

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Device Security

How to Connect to Your WiFi Network

This guide has the basic steps to connect to a WiFi network on: Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS (iPhone or iPad).

Connecting to a wireless (WiFi) Network is something you should be familiar with in today’s digital age. Our step-by-step guide will get you up and running in no time. If you are experiencing slow internet, check out our tips for increasing your internet speeds from home.

Connect to WiFi on your Windows Computer

As long as everything is plugged in and working properly, this shouldn’t take more than a minute of your time.

Step 1: Find your WiFi Network

Find your network icon, by default in the bottom right corner of your screen. It may look like a globe, a computer monitor, or a wireless signal.

Clicking on here will bring up a list of all the WiFi networks within range—even those from your neighbors’ houses—so make sure you pick the correct one. If you don’t know the name of your network, you’ll need to look on your router to see if it’s listed, or call your internet provider.

Step 2: Put in your Password

If you don’t know what the password is (also known as a “network key”), you’ll need to look on your router to see if it’s listed, or call your internet provider. Otherwise, typing in the password is all you need to do for this step. You should now be connected.

Connect to WiFi on your Mac Computer

As long as everything is plugged in and working properly, this shouldn’t take more than a minute of your time.

Step 1: Find your WiFi Network

Click on your WiFi icon in the top-right of your screen, and find the name of your network in the list below.

Clicking on here will bring up a list of all the WiFi networks within range—even those from your neighbors’ houses—so make sure you pick the correct one. If you don’t know the name of your network, you’ll need to look on your router to see if it’s listed, or call your internet provider.

Step 2: Put in your Password

If you don’t know what the password is (also known as a “network key”), you’ll need to look on your router to see if it’s listed, or call your internet provider. Otherwise, typing in the password is all you need to do for this step. You should now be connected.

Connect to WiFi on your Android Phone or Tablet

As long as everything is plugged in and working properly, this shouldn’t take more than a minute of your time.

Since almost every Android device looks and behaves a bit differently from one to the other, try looking in your device’s manual, searching online by the make/model, or contacting their support. We are also happy to try our hand at assisting you over the phone.

Step 1: Find your WiFi Network

Locate your WiFi icon and tap it to turn it on (sometimes you will need to “long-press” on the icon to open a list of networks). You can find this in your settings or via a “pull-down” menu on the top of your screen—simply drag your finger down from the top of the screen to open it.

Tapping here will bring up a list of all the WiFi networks within range of your device—even those from your neighbors’ houses—so make sure you pick the correct one. If you don’t know the name of your network, you’ll need to look on your router to see if it’s listed, or call your internet provider.

Step 2: Put in your Password

If you don’t know what the password is (also known as a “network key”), you’ll need to look on your router to see if it’s listed, or call your internet provider. Otherwise, typing in the password is all you need to do for this step. You should now be connected.

Connect to WiFi on your iPhone or iPad

As long as everything is plugged in and working properly, this shouldn’t take more than a minute of your time.

Step 1: Find your WiFi Network

Open Settings and tap on the WiFi option. This should show you a list of nearby networks. Find your’s in the list and tap on it to connect.

Tapping here will bring up a list of all the WiFi networks within your device’s range—even those from your neighbors’ houses—so make sure you pick the correct one. If you don’t know the name of your network, you’ll need to look on your router to see if it’s listed, or call your internet provider.

Step 2: Put in your Password

If you don’t know what the password is (also known as a “network key”), you’ll need to look on your router to see if it’s listed, or call your internet provider. Otherwise, typing in the password is all you need to do for this step. You should now be connected.

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