In this article, we are going to discuss some common tips to remember when you are using modems or routers for wireless internet connectivity. These will maximize the security you have while browsing the web:
Local Area Network (LAN):
If you are having problems with your LAN
connection, you can resolve it (in some scenarios) by changing the IP address
of your computer. Windows might suggest it as a troubleshooting option.
It can be done in the command prompt. To do this, go to the search box in your
Start button and type in cmd – cmd.exe will show up. Click that to enter the command prompt. Type in the command
“ipconfig/release” and then type “ipconfig /renew”. This should change the IP
address of your computer or router.
If you can’t do this due to some error, try
resetting your router and then shut down your computer. Turn on the router and
then restart your system. Now change the IP with the above-mentioned commands.
To save yourself from any trouble in
future, you should save your connection properties to a file from where you can
upload them back when needed.
Wireless Network Connection Properties
Manage Wireless Networks
If you are working with Wireless networks,
then you should always make sure they are secure. There are levels of security
that your wireless connection can offer. There are three security protocols –
WEP, WPA and WPA2. The WEP protocol offers the least security and can be
cracked. Open the properties of your wireless connection or open ‘Manage
Wireless Connections’ from the ‘Network and Internet section’ in the Control Panel,
as shown in the below image. You can directly open the window by
right-clicking on your connection going to Properties and then clicking on
the Security tab.
If you want to change the security type,
you will have to type in your IP address in your web browser and you will also
require the administrator username and password (get it from your ISP if you
don’t have one). Once logged in, you can change the security protocol and
assign a new passphrase from there.
Passphrase for the Wireless network
Set a passphrase to connect to your
wireless network from the connection properties, and choose a good password.
Updating driver for Wireless
If your connection has been giving you
problems, try configuring the driver from the connection properties or you can
directly update it from the Device Manager. You can check online for any
available updates on your driver.
All kinds of bad things can happen if you
don’t have a secure internet connection, for wireless internet, security is
even more important. Make sure you have
WPA2 or at least WPA security type and always keep a stringent passphrase.
