Wireless network - change the default passwords

[dezingg]

Just a reminder to others who are setting up wireless networks.

I set up a Netgear Wireless router for my sister and failed to change the router's default password. Sure enough, a few weeks later she lost her wireless access even though nothing was wrong with either the laptop or the router. We suspect an unknown neighbor who was also using wireless connections changed the settings either by accident or on purpose.

She also lost her installation software, (and I'm not familiar with changing the settings manually) so I bought a new router and set everything up again with the included installation software.

This time I changed the router's default password!

I also took her old router home to use with my laptop, I'm not certain if I'll run into any registration problems with her old router.

[Nevada]

While the default administration password should always be changed, it's not that big of a deal if someone gains administrator access and messes up your router. There is normally a factory default reset button that you can use to get you back to where you were when you bought it. Press and hold that button with a straightened-out paper clip for about 20 seconds and you're back in business.

She won't need software to reconfigure the router. You can usually access the router administration by navigating to 192.168.0.1 with your favorite web browser. If you need help and don't have your manual, Google for your router model to find one in pdf.

[arabian knight]

I know when I set up my wireless with 128 encryption protection I wrote down the 28 numbers I choose and made many copies of those numbers, and put the papers in various places so I can find at least one copy if the time ever comes to need the number. Like I had to put those numbers in my Wii, so it could go on line and update things, as well as my BluRay Player.

[Nevada]

Originally Posted by arabian knight

I know when I set up my wireless with 128 encryption protection I wrote down the 28 numbers I choose and made many copies of those numbers, and put the papers in various places so I can find at least one copy if the time ever comes to need the number. Like I had to put those numbers in my Wii, so it could go on line and update things, as well as my BluRay Player.

Good grief! If you ever need the encryption key just go into your administration setup. You can usually even copy & paste the encryption key from there. If you can't get into the administration setup then you need to reset the router to factory defaults anyway, which will also wipe-out the encryption key.