Securing and Optimizing Wi-Fi at Home
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1. if aesthetics are important but they also hinder the strength of your wireless network if you re trying to cover your entire home Security Set up a custom username and password change your router s SSID and enable encryption as a basic layer of security to fend off internet moochers It s an extra bit of time to set this up but it s well worth it if you don t want people stealing your internet access Learn More Check out the Stephouse Networks Blog for more information on high speed internet for home and business as well as tips and tricks on how to improve your wireless coverage or internet experience We also send tips and tricks out on our Facebook Twitter and Google Pages as well let s connect soon Made with a whole lot of care by DD MH AN Securing and Optimizing Wi Fi at Home Page 9 of 9 Stephouse Networks 20132. of your wireless donut Securing and Optimizing Wi Fi at Home Page 5 of 9 Stephouse Networks 2013 Setting Up What You ll Need amp What to Do You ll need a few things to get started e A wireless router e ISP provided modem or router e Network cable also sometimes known as Ethernet or Cat5 cable Location Wireless Router Placement At Stephouse Networks a common technical support issue that arises is when a customer wonders why their wireless signal is so poor After investigation we realize that it s because the router is somewhere it shouldn t be Maybe we want to hide the router for aesthetic reasons Maybe we want to keep it nearby other computer stuff around the house There are all kinds of reason why we keep technical devices in particular areas But we need to keep in mind that wireless routers have a radio frequency that most solid objects can block When concrete and metal or other solid objects hinder a wireless signal coverage is much less than we expect within the home or small office Figure 6 This placement gives great coverage Figure 5 This placement covers a bit of the living room but sends most of the signal out of the house Where your wireless router should go Central rooms living rooms offices unobstructed by concrete or metal framed walls closets and other similar areas Try to avoid Basements attics garages and other rooms that might have walls made of
3. H STEPHOUSE HIGH SPEED INTERNET Stephouse Networks The Northwest s truly local high speed internet service Securing and Optimizing Wi Fi at Home CONTENTS INTRODUCTION seesseeeseesccesccessccsccesocescecceescocscocccccsocesoceseescoescocccescocesocescescocescoeccescoccsocesoesocesceeseos 2 WIRELESS IS A MAGICAL DONUT UNDERSTANDING ITS ANATOMY sseessssessoeeessocesocecesooeeee 4 SETTING UP WHAT YOU LL NEED amp WHAT TO DO esssesssesscccccesccescocccescoccsocccccsocescocscescoscoocese 6 SECURITY PROTECT YOUR WI FI CONNECTION sesssesssessoessoccccesccescccsoescoccsocccccsocescocscescosscosese 8 A GREAT START LOCATION AND SECURITY essesssoessoesccesccescoscocscoccsoccocesocescosccescocssoccocesocesoseo 9 Securing and Optimizing Wi Fi at Home Page 1 of 9 Stephouse Networks 2013 Introduction Setting up your internet connection can sometimes be a hassle Some of us are so happy to be done with the setup that we forget to consider some of the most basic principles of a properly secured home network coverage and security Figure 1 Here s an example of a trusty wireless router A poorly set up network leaves you vulnerable to neighbors stealing your internet access via your unprotected Wi Fi router According to a D Link and Wakefield research survey about 31 of respondents admit to stealing Wi Fi from their neighbors To protect your network from those pesky thieves we ve come up with a quick guide that expl
4. ains a few home networking basics This guide is meant for e Internet users who are setting up a network for the first time in a new place e People who realize that they want better or stronger network coverage in certain parts of their home e Or curious people who want to understand the basics of a home or small office wireless network Securing and Optimizing Wi Fi at Home Page 2 of 9 Stephouse Networks 2013 Let s solve for these overlooked issues Often people will overlook one or more of the following issues when configuring their home network Location It makes a big difference where you put your wireless router Walls and other physical barriers will have a dramatic effect on the area that is able to receive a decent Wi Fi signal Bottom Line Find a central unobstructed location to place your router to get the best wireless coverage Security Securing your network is essential to those living in close proximity to their neighbors If your network is unsecure that will allow anyone with a Wi Fi enabled device to jump onto your connection and leech your internet away from you Bottom Line Always take the extra step of setting up one or two layers of security on your network to deter strangers from hopping onto your network Securing and Optimizing Wi Fi at Home Page 3 of 9 Stephouse Networks 2013 Wireless is a Magical Donut Understanding Its Anatomy Okay it s more physics than magic Imagining magi
5. asic level of security to your Wi Fi network NOTE To change your router s setting you will first need to access the router setup menu Most routers will use your internet browser for the setup menu so go ahead and open up Chrome Firefox Safari or Internet Explorer In the address bar of your browser type in the router s IP address which will probably be 192 168 x x x being a manufacturer specified number Check the user manual to find the exact IP address needed Change your router s default username and password Right out of the box your router s username and password might be something like Username admin and Password password Router manufacturers make it something easy so that you won t have any issues changing it If you are unsure of your router s default login info consult the owner s manual If you no longer have your owner s manual Google will be an invaluable asset as almost every router manual in existence is readily available and all you have to do is search for the make and model that should be displayed somewhere on your router Change your router s SSID SSID stands for Service Set Identifier the name that you select when you choose a wireless network to connect to A default SSID like the router brand name is a dead giveaway that your network has not been configured past the defaults and is most likely fair game to connect to Most people looking for free wireless keep an eye out for all the standard d
6. cal donuts seem like a more entertaining way to explain wireless signals Wireless radios will send signals in certain shapes and sizes Yeah there are a lot of them out in the world Fortunately most home and small office routers all have a similar shape p gt Figure 2 The shape of wireless coverage from a generic router looks a lot like this delicious donut o 2 e amp amp ri e g 8 N r a PEN a E amp t i j Ra E a a ay u g a a g k A amp oe a i Zee ow Figure 3 Here s a flat look at that donut Let s say R is the router Securing and Optimizing Wi Fi at Home Page 4 of 9 Stephouse Networks 2013 Understanding this shape allows us to realize how to best use this technology and make the most of our internet access and networking Imagine a donut shaped zone around your router There s a hole in the middle of the donut so the signal won t be as great there The area around the wireless router is where wireless devices of all kinds can connect well Concrete and metal are common signal blockers for conventional wireless routers If part of this magical donut runs into a concrete or metal wall or framing the signal becomes weak We ll explain the best places to place wireless routers later in this document to avoid weakening the donut er mean wireless signal Figure 4 Placing a router near signal blockers can be like someone taking a big bite out
7. concrete or metal Securing and Optimizing Wi Fi at Home Page 6 of 9 Stephouse Networks 2013 Once you re ready here are some step by step instructions on how to complete your initial setup and how to lock down your Wi Fi network once you re up and running Figure 7 You ll set that router up in no time 1 Plug in the network cable from the modem provided by your Internet Service Provider to your router s WAN or Internet port This is basically feeding the router your internet access from the modem We used a white cable in our example 2 Ensure that all power and network connections are plugged in 3 Wired Connections Using one of the numbered ports connect your wireless router to your computer using an additional cable ours is red in the example 4 Plug the internet cable into your computer Or if using wireless instruct your computer to connect to your newly set up network Securing and Optimizing Wi Fi at Home Page 7 of 9 Stephouse Networks 2013 Security Protect Your Wi Fi Connection Once you have your wireless network up and running it s a good idea to secure it Not only does it help keep unwanted guests off of your internet connection but it makes your Wi Fi network that much safer According to Wigle net a volunteer run community of people mapping out Wi Fi nodes nearly 28 of the mapped networks in 2012 were unprotected Do you own one of these networks Follow these steps to bring a b
8. efault SSID s so don t let yourself become a victim Tue 10 24AM Q Z Wi Fi On d Turn Wi Fi Off arch in Document v aE F Insert r Aa S amp S jad EA Shape i B AceHotel Edge_Lab fwbocnw1 Guardsmark Jive Jive Visitor myqwest2421 Oregon Translation 5 OTM Portlandia Proludio_AN SmarshPad SmarshPad5SG SNWmFi Stephouse Wireless TritonGuest TritonTechnical Visitor 1E Ell DODODDODODDOOPDODODODODD a 9 9 9 a 9 pw 1 3 3 1 1 1 Join Other Network Create Network Open Network Preferences Figure 8 You can typically access unsecured networks without a password Securing and Optimizing Wi Fi at Home Page 8 of 9 Stephouse Networks 2013 Enable some form of wireless encryption Encryption basically works to garble your wireless signal to those who do not have access to your Wi Fi password You will probably want to choose WPA2 as that is the most secure form of wireless encryption available on most home routers A Great Start Location and Security And there you have it a solid set of steps that will lead you to solid wireless access around the house or at the office Location Remember that concrete and metal can dampen the signal strength of a wireless router Living rooms family rooms and offices are the best place to put wireless routers Basements and attics may seem like a great idea since it hides technology
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