Configure a Linksys Router
Are you trying to set up a home network with your brand new Linksys router? You’ll want to make sure that you set it up correctly to prevent unwanted users and protect your personal information. Getting your router up and running only takes a few minutes. See Step1 below to get started.
Contents
[hide]Steps
Accessing the Configuration Menu
- Connect using a web browser. When you are first configuring your router, connect it to a computer via Ethernet cable. This will ensure that you are not disconnected if changes are made to the wireless network. Open any web browser and enter in the router’s address into the address bar.
- Virtually all Linksys routers can be access by entering the address 192.168.1.1
- If you cannot access the router from your browser, the “web management” option may be disabled. If this is the case, press and hold the Reset button on the back of your router to reset it to factory defaults.
- Enter your username and password. When you try to access the router from the web, you will be asked for the username and password for your router. These vary from router to router, but the defaults should be listed in your documentation. If you can’t find it, you can reset the router to factory settings and then look up the router model online.
- Most default usernames are “admin”.
- Most default passwords are “admin” or blank.
- Use configuration software. Many newer Linksys routers come with an installation CD that can install a configuration program. This will allow you to change settings without having to connect through a web browser. You typically will not need to enter a username and password to use it.
- Once you open the configuration software, the menus will generally be the same as the browser menus.
Setting up Your Wireless Network
- Click the Wireless tab. When you first open the configuration utility, you will be taken to the Basic Setup page. You can leave all of these settings at their defaults, unless specified otherwise by your ISP. When you click the Wireless tab, you will be taken to the “Basic Wireless Settings” section.
- This section will allow you to create and secure your wireless network. It is important that you change it from whatever default it was set to for security.
- Give your network a name. In the Basic Wireless Settings section, there will be a field labeled “Wireless Network Name (SSID)”. This is the name of your network, which will appear in the list of available networks for your wireless devices. Make sure you don’t give out any personal information, as anyone can see this name.
- You can keep the Network Mode and Channel set to the default, unless specified otherwise by your ISP.
- Enable broadcast. Ensure that the “Enable” option is selected for “Wireless SSID Broadcast”. This essentially turns on your wireless network and allows it to be discovered. Once you are done, click the “Save Settings” button.
- Secure your network. Click the “Wireless Security” section to open up your wireless security options. Here you will be able to set the security encryption type and password.
- Security Mode – Set this to WPA2 if possible. This is the latest for of encryption, and the most secure way you can protect your network. Note: not all older devices support WPA2. If your printer or other device can’t use, switch to WPA or WEP.
- Passphrase – This is the password that people will need to enter when they attempt to connect their devices to your network. Make sure that the password is strong to prevent unwanted intruders.
- Click “Save Settings” when you are finished. Your router will apply the changes and restart. Your wireless network will now be activated and secured.
Forwarding Ports
- Click “Applications & Gaming”. If you have programs that need unrestricted access to specific ports, you’ll need to open them up through your router’s configuration page. In order to open ports, you’ll need to know the IP address for the device running the program.
- To check the IP address of your computer, see .
- To see a list of devices connected to your router and their respective IP addresses, click the Status tab and then select Local Network. Click the DHCP Client Table button to see the list.
- Enter in the port forwarding information. On a blank line in the “Port Range Forwarding” section of the Applications & Gaming tab, enter in the information for the program you want to forward ports for. In the Application field, enter the name of the application. You can enter whatever you’d like, this is for your reference.
- Choose your starting and ending port. Only type in a port if instructed to by the application. Open ports can pose a security threat to your network. If you are only opening one port, enter the same value in both the “Start” and “End” fields.
- Select your protocol. Your application may tell you which specific protocol (TCP or UDP) the open port needs to be set for. If you are unsure, select Both.
- Enter the IP address that you are forwarding the port to. This is the address for the device that is running the application. You will only need to enter the digits from the last group of the IP address.
- Enable the port forwarding. Once you have finished entering all of the information, check the “Enabled” box to turn on the new rule. Scroll down and click the “Save Settings” button to restart the router and apply it.
Blocking Access
- Open the Access Restrictions tab. This section of the router configuration will allow you to set restrictions on internet access for any of the devices connected to the network. You can block all internet access at designated times, as well as block specific websites or keywords.
- Create an access policy. In the “Enter policy name” filed, give your access policy a name that you can easily reference. You can switch between multiple policies by using the dropdown menu at the top of the page.
- Add devices to the policy. Click the “Edit List of PCs” button, and then enter the IP addresses for the devices you want to enable the policy for. This is useful if you want the kids’ computer to not have access in the evening, or to limit employee access during the day.
- Set the schedule. Use the Days and Times sections to set when you want internet blocked. As long as the policy is enabled, the selected devices will not be able to access the internet at all during these days and times.
- Block specific websites. In the section below the schedule, you can enter specific websites that you want the router to block. Websites entered here will be inaccessible to anyone on the policy list. You can also block websites based on keywords contained within the websites, allowing you to block much more than single sites.
- Enable the policy. Once you are finished configuring the policy, toggle the “Enabled” option and then click the “Save Settings” button at the bottom of the page. Your router will reset and your new policy will take effect.
Tips
- When using a wireless router, you can change the security and access settings to allow or disallow wireless connections. Password-protecting your router should stop unwanted users from accessing your network and Internet connection.
Warnings
- Changing certain functions on a router can cause it to work improperly. Remember to research the aspects you want to alter before applying them.
