Ever needed to connect to something via wireless? Do it now with your NETGEAR Wireless Modem Router!
Do your neighbors frequently hack into YOUR wireless network? Are you constantly paying for YOUR neighbors’ quota usage because they know how to hack? Secure your network today! Here’s a guide to` the NetGear range of products.
What is security?
There are really two… no, three types of security. No security, WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) security and WPA security. WEP is older and easier to hack, but not allowed by some NETGEAR routers. WPA is the most up-to-date, but is not compatible with some portable WiFi devices such as the Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite. There are also two types of WPA, but we are going to talk about WPA2, the second and newest type.
So if you want to use Nintendo WiFi, that’s a different story. I’m going to talk about WPA2 security. However, the setup is very similar for WPA1 (WPA).
Why secure?
Anybody with a wireless area network (WAN) or wireless router should at least use WEP encryption. This is because routers today are configured to “broadcast” at a larger range. This basically means that as the years went on, you could be further away from your router to use it. Unfortunately, this means that your neighbors can just jump onto their computers and use up your quota set by your ISP, meaning you’ll get slower internet (this is called “shaping”) and a costly invoice. But if you live in the middle of nowhere, and your nearest neighbor is out of your wireless router’s range capability (anywhere up to 500m), you can stay unsecured.
What NETGEAR routers are WPA2 compatible?
Here I’m going to assume that you’re a home user or have a home router. Here is a list of all the home NETGEAR WAN routers and whether they’re WPA2 compatible or not.
| Router Brand/Range Name | Compatible With |
| RangeMax Next Wireless-N Router | WEP, WPA, WPA2 |
| RangeMax Next Wireless-N Modem Router | WEP, WPA, WPA2 |
| RangeMax Wireless Router | WEP, WPA, WPA2 |
| Double 108 MBPS | WPA |
| Super G Wireless Routers | WEP, WPA |
| Wireless G Routers | WEP, WPA |
How can I secure my router through WPA or WPA2?
- Make sure your computer is connected by wire to the NETGEAR router or modem router
- Open Internet Explorer
- Type into the address bar www.192.168.0.1 or www.192.168.1.1 (depending on the product) and hit ENTER.
Unless you’ve configured otherwise, the default username is admin and the password password.
- On the left-hand side, under Setup, click “Wireless Settings”
- Under “Security Options”, select your desired encryption method (preferably WPA2-PSK)
- Choose a Network Key – it can be anything, as long as it’s 8-63 characters in length
- Hit Apply
- Now on the computers you wish to connect to over wireless, repeat the process
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Thankyou so much i was having so much trouble with this and my connection kept switching off even though i was right next to my routerr!!!! arrgh!!! Hopefully its better now its secured
February 8th, 2009 at 11:10 am
This has worked perfectly. Thanks for the help. I couldn’t figure that out for the life of me!! Thanks again. I would recommend this process to everyone!!!
March 7th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WRITE HELPFUL INFO. FOR A ROOKIE LIKE ME.
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!
March 9th, 2009 at 12:07 am
All computers that will use the password must be hooked up “by wire” to enable this to work??
March 9th, 2009 at 10:26 am
How do I get the website address to work? I tried both and all I got was a “Oops! We can’t find the webpage you’re looking for”.
March 15th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Dear Frustrated,
I’m not sure how this mistake was made but the correct addresses are ‘192.168.0.1′ or ‘192.168.1.1′ (no www). I can confirm these work.
March 21st, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I cannot believe how easy that was, and thanks for your help with this, very useful.
April 8th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Just a guide,
if you are not able to access the routers config page.
Just open command prompt(start menuaccessories)
type ipconfig
the address you get for default gateway must be the router’s address you have to type in internet explorer.
I was struggling with this for some time.
Hope this helps
April 21st, 2009 at 12:39 am
So how do you do it on Vista, cause its not easy…I get an ENTER CREDENTIALS popup asking for USER NAME, PASSWORD, DOMAIN LOGIN
None of which I have a clue what to put in there.
April 24th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
does anyone have an answer to the qestion #9 above. I am eager to hear the answer!!
May 16th, 2009 at 12:33 am
hghg hgjhgj
May 19th, 2009 at 3:22 am
Hi Chod, the username is usually admin, the password ‘password’ and the domain login… well, I don’t know.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
You usally do not need to have a domain name. Only if required by your ISP .
November 9th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
hi sir –i need your help -my before router -user name and password it is not woring i allready try to make new but i cannot find the exact your web site could u help me to find out to creat me how to make a new password again —thank-you —–