Are you trying to set up a home network with your new Linksys router? It is in your best interest to configure this device correctly to restrict unauthorized access and protect your personal information. It only takes a few minutes to set up your router. We have prepared some tips for you to set up your device.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Go to the setup menu
Step 1. Use a web browser
When you set up the router for the first time, use a network cable between the device and the computer. This will allow you to stay connected while changing wireless internet options. Open any web browser and enter the router's address in the address bar.
- Almost all Linksys routers are available at 192.168.1.1
- If you cannot access the router from a browser, the “web control” option may be disabled. In such a case, simply press and hold the reset button on the back of the router to reset it to factory defaults.
Step 2. Enter your username and password
When trying to access the router from the internet, you will need to enter the username and password for the router. These vary from router to router, but the default should be in your documentation. If you can't find them, you can reset your router to factory defaults and then look at your router model on the Internet.
- Most often, the default username is “admin”.
- Most often, the default password is “admin” or an empty string.
Step 3. Use the configuration program
Most newer Linksys routers come with an installation CD that will allow you to install the software to configure your router. This will allow you to change settings without the need for a web browser connection. Typically, you will not need to use a username and password to use the program.
Once you open the setup program, the menu will look a lot like your browser menu
Method 2 of 4: Setting up your wireless network
Step 1. Go to the Wireless tab
When you open the configuration utility for the first time, you will be taken to the main configuration page. You can leave all the default settings, unless otherwise specified by your ISP. Clicking on the Wireless tab will take you to “Basic Wireless Settings”.
This section will allow you to create and secure your wireless network. It is very important to change the default settings of this section for the security of your network and personal data
Step 2. Give a name to your network
In the basic settings of the wireless network, there is a field “Wireless Network Name (SSID)”. This is the name of your network, which will appear in the list of available networks for wireless devices. Make sure you are not giving out private information as this name will be visible to everyone.
You can leave Network Mode and Channel unchanged if your ISP does not specify other parameters
Step 3. Turn on the broadcast
Make sure “Enable” is selected for “Wireless SSID Broadcast”. Basically, this option turns on your wireless network and allows it to be discovered. Once you are done with the settings, click the “Save Settings” button.
Step 4. Protect your network
Click on the “Wireless Security” section. Here you can set the encryption type and password for your network.
- Security Mode - Choose WPA2 if available. This is one of the newer types of encryption, and one of the best for protecting your data. Note: some older devices do not support WPA2. If your printer or other devices do not support this type of encryption, switch to WPA or WEP.
- The passphrase is the password you will need to enter when trying to connect to your wireless network. Make sure the password is strong enough to avoid unwanted connections.
Step 5. When you're done, click “Save Settings”
The changed settings will take effect and the router will reboot. Your wireless network will be accessible and secure.
Method 3 of 4: Port forwarding
Step 1. Click “Applications & Gaming”
If you have programs that need to have unrestricted access to certain ports, you need to open them through the router's configuration page. In order to open ports, you need to know the IP address of the device on which the program is used.
- To find the IP address of your computer, see this manual.
- To view a list of devices connected to the router and their IP addresses, click on the Status tab and select Local Network. Next, click on the DHCP Client Table button to see a list of devices and their IP addresses.
Step 2. Enter the port forwarding information
On a blank line in the “Port Range Forwarding” section of the “Applications & Gaming” tab, enter the information for the appropriate application for which you are configuring port forwarding. In the “Application” field, enter a name for the application. You can enter whatever you want.
Step 3. Select the start and end port
Enter ports only when instructed to do so in the application help. Open ports can pose a security threat to your network. If you only need to open one port, enter the same value in both the “Start” and “End” fields.
Step 4. Choose a protocol
Your application uses one of the protocols: TCP or UDP. If you are unsure, choose both.
Step 5. Enter the appropriate IP address for port forwarding
This is the address of the device on which the application is running. You only need to enter the last digits of the IP address.
Step 6. Enable port forwarding
When you finish entering information, check the “Enabled” checkbox. Scroll down the page and click the “Save Settings” button to reboot the router and apply the changes.
Method 4 of 4: Block Access
Step 1. Open the Access Restrictions tab
This section of the router configuration will allow you to configure Internet access restrictions for any devices on the network. You can block Internet access at a specified time, as well as block specific websites or keywords.
Step 2. Create an access policy
In the “Enter policy name” field, enter a name that is easily associated with the essence of the policy. You can switch between policies using the dropdown menu at the top of the page.
Step 3. Add devices to this policy
Click the “Edit List of PCs” button, and enter the IP addresses of the devices for which you want to apply this access policy. This is useful if you want to restrict Internet access for your children in the evening, or Internet access for colleagues during the working day.
Step 4. Set up a schedule
Use the days and times sections to restrict internet access. As long as the policy is enabled, the selected devices will not be able to access the Internet at the specified time intervals.
Step 5. Block specific websites
In the section below the schedule, you can enter the name of the websites that should be blocked by your router. The websites entered in this section will be unavailable for all devices in the access policy. You can block websites based on keywords, which will block much more than one web page.
Step 6. Enable the policy
When you are finished configuring the policy, check the “Enabled” checkbox and click the “Save Settings” button at the bottom of the page. Your router will reboot and the new access policy will take effect.