Netgear Wireless Router Setting

Configuring Wireless Security (WEP/WPA/Access list) on NETGEAR Routers and Access Points

This article explains how to configure WEP/WPA-PSK/Access list on NETGEAR wireless routers. It can also be applied to NETGEAR access points.
Hackers can easily trap information transmitted over wireless network, it has to be encrypted to avoid unauthorized users to intercept and decode data. Read more about Importance of NOT using just defaults.
In order to secure the wireless network, enable either WEP, WPA-PSK or Access Control List. You can read more about WEP and WPA in the following links:

•WEP. See What is WEP Encryption for Wireless Network?
•WPA-PSK. See What's New in Security: WPA.

Before starting:
•You can configure either WEP or WPA, but both cannot be enabled at the same time.
•You can eneable Access List Control in addition to WEP or WPA for additional security.
•After you enable wireless security features on the router or access point, you must configure your wireless clients, such as wireless computers, with matching settings. Your wireless clients will not be able to connect unless you configure matching settings.
•Its recommended you enable these wireless security settings from a computer wired to the router or access point.

Configuring WEP:
1.Use an ethernet cable to connect a computer to any one of the four LAN ports of the NETGEAR router.
2.In a web browser, enter the router's IP address - either http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1 by default.
3.When prompted for a Username and Password, enter the default username and password (admin; password) unless you have already changed it. NETGEAR recommends changing the default password to increase the security of your network.
4.Select Wireless Settings from the Setup menu in the left-hand navigation bar.
5.Under Security Options, select WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy).
6.From Security Encryption (WEP) > Authentication Type, select Automatic.
7.From Security Encryption (WEP) > Encryption Strength, select 64-bit or 128-bit. NOTE: You will need to configure your wireless computers with the same setting.
8.From Security Encryption (WEP) Key, select Key 1 and enter a key.

◦Note: WEP keys are entered in hexadecimal digits, which are any combination of 0-9, A-F.
■If you selected 64-bit under Security Encryption (WEP) > Encryption Strength, then enter 10 hexadecimal digits for your key.
■If you selected 128-bit under Security Encryption (WEP) > Encryption Strength, then enter 26 hexadecimal digits for your key.

◦ SAVE or KEEP NOTE of these values - they will be required to connect wirelessly to your network.
10.Click Apply to save the settings.


Configuring WPA-PSK Encryption:

1.Use an ethernet cable to connect a computer to any one of the four LAN ports of the NETGEAR router.
2.In a web browser, enter the router's IP address - either http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1 by default.
3.When prompted for a Username and Password, enter the default username and password (admin; password) unless you have already changed it. NETGEAR recommends changing the default password to increase the security of your network.
4.Select Wireless Settings from the Setup menu in the left-hand navigation bar.
5.Under Security Options, select WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key).
6.Under Security Encryption (WPA-PSK) > Passphrase, enter a passphrase.
◦The passphrase may either be a string of 64 hexidecimal digits, or word/phrase of 8-63 ASCII characters.◦SAVE or KEEP NOTE of the passphrase - it will be required to connect wirelessly to your network.
8.Click Apply to save your settings.

Configuring Access Control List:

Note: Before you enable access control list, you need to know the MAC address (aka Physical address or Hardware address) of all your wireless computers. Once you enable access control list, any wireless client (card) with a MAC address not listed will NOT be allowed to connect with the router.

1.Use an ethernet cable to connect a computer to any one of the four LAN ports of the NETGEAR router.

2.In a web browser, enter the router's IP address - either http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1 by default.
3.When prompted for a Username and Password, enter the default username and password (admin; password) unless you have already changed it. NETGEAR recommends changing the default password to increase the security of your network.
4.From the Advanced menu in the left-hand navigation bar, select Wireless Settings.
5.Click Setup Access List to open the Wireless Card Access List.
6.Click on the Add button
7.Enter the a descriptive Device Name (like HallDesktop) and the MAC address of the wireless card, and click Add.
8.Repeat the last 2 steps to add all wireless clients to the allowed list.
9.When you have completed adding all the wireless MAC address allowed to connect to wirelessly with your router, Check Turn Access Control On
10.Click Apply. Your settings will be saved and only the wireless clients with MAC address listed in the allowed list will be allowed to connect with your router