is there any way to manually secure a wireless router so that nobody else can steal the signal? i’ve tried taking off the black thing which broad casts the signal and also tried wrapping thick black tape around it. It is still showing up.
My main modem is secured, but the router is not secured … I don’t want anybody stealing the signal.
Any tips?
Re: Manually secure wirless router
you removed what black thing? the antenna? put it back before you blow the PA and turn your router into a paperweight.
if you are worried about others mooching off your internet, use the security features of your router - WPA with a creative password, and enable MAC id filtering. no one'll get thru.
Re: Manually secure wirless router
my dad bought it a few years ago, it isn't one of the modems provided by the cable company so there are no instructions. not sure how to secure it. :(
Re: Manually secure wirless router
do you have a make and model number? maybe someone here'll be able to walk you through how to do this for your router.
Re: Manually secure wirless router
Yes I do have it.
It's a Trednet Wireless Router TEW-432BRP
Re: Manually secure wirless router
I don’t know how to even open it up and edit the settings … if there is a way. I can see it in the list of available networks beside my secured connection.
Re: Manually secure wirless router
you could download its manual from here and figure out how to set up security.
TRENDnet | Downloads | Wireless | TEW-432BRP
if you don’t want to, try this. when you are connected to the router, go to
and see if you get to a settings screen.
Re: Manually secure wirless router
I tried the above link (IP address), doesn't work. I will download the manual. thanks queer.
Re: Manually secure wirless router
If you cannot figure out what to do. Buy a new router and you will get complete set of instructions with it and better speed too. They are dime a dozen now a days.
Re: Manually secure wirless router
START > RUN > CMD {enter}
ipconfig {enter}
this will show u stuff like:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : phub.net.cable.rogers.com
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.3
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.240
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
default gateway field USUALLY is the web-address of the wireless router.
before u continue GENERAL STEPS I RECOMMEND Section, get a “MAC ADDRESS” by START > RUN > CMD {enter}
ipconfig /all {enter}
this will show u ALL properties of both your wired and wireless adapters, and they will look something like following:
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : room2
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : phub.net.cable.rogers.com
Ethernet adapter **{connection name}**:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : phub.net.cable.rogers.com
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce 10/100 Mbps Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : **00-1F-C6-08-D2-E7**
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.3
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.240
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : bunch of #s
bunch of #s
bunch of #s
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, February 15, 2010 11:03:08 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, February 16, 2010 11:03:08 AM
write down this physical address . u might have two sections of this info, one for an “ETHERNET” connection and one for a WIRELESS connection, if not sure, write down BOTH physical addresses.
general steps I recommend:
open Internet Explorer/Firefox . go to http://192.168.1.1 (in your case it might be 192.168.10.1)
default passwords (Refer to manual) are usually user: admin password: admin
wireless security, enable for WPA, in PRESHARED KEY mode (PSK) and something called TKIP (Cant remember the order) give a meaningful 10 key password
if possible, take away BROADCASE SSID/ADVERTISE NAME feature (this creates problems first few times of setting up internet, so I try to use either 2of the three features of #3,4,5).
if router allows, setup MAC-ADDRESS filtering (setup so ONLY the PHYSICAL ADDRESSES you wrote down are allowed in wireless mode). there are usually two modes: ALLOW THESE ONLY or DENY THESE ONLY
these steps usually stop GENERAL stealers to steal, but with all 3,4 and 5 enabled, people must GUESS the network’s name or find a wifi-finder type device/software to crack the name, crack the wpa security system, but before that, (router depending) wireless wouldn’t SERVE THEM connection if that PHYSICAL ADDRESS (MAC ADDRESS) isn’t in the list of devices being allowed to interact with it..
ps, mac addresses sometimes use " : " instead of " - "
Re: Manually secure wirless router
^ excellent detailed advice by confused, as usual :k: :k: -
my only additional points are as follows:
Addendum to point #3: if your router has an option for WPA TKIP or WPA AES, then select the latter as it’s more secure.
Also, to add another two points:
Change the default administrator password.
Change the default SSID for the router.
Re: Manually secure wirless router
Try duct tape :D
Try duct tape :D
mehnaz, take out the black thing, and put the tape back ... if u're seeing the signal, don't worry about it, as the strength within room or next two drywall walls over is fine.. signal would be so poor after that distance that people wouldnt be able to use it for practical purposes
oh.. and check out your router's configurations page.. it will have an option of DISABLE wireless/turn off radio/etc setting.. which shuts off the whole wireless section completely (reversable upon your descretion) .
Re: Manually secure wirless router
man dont tell her to take the antenna off. APs transmit beacons and listens every few milli-secs even when not on any network. if you remove the antenna on it, you need to put in a suitable impedence-matched termination, or the power amp/LNA may blow after a while..
man dont tell her to take the antenna off. APs transmit beacons and listens every few milli-secs even when not on any network. if you remove the antenna on it, you need to put in a suitable impedence-matched termination, or the power amp/LNA may blow after a while..
She has already taken the antenna off . She started her thread with this post. Now her house is about to blow up. :D
Re: Manually secure wirless router
I put duct tape (didn’t work) and also the thick black tape all around the modem. Went outside, across the street, and the network was showing up on my cell phone. So it’s pointless. I removed all the tape and put the antenna back on.
I have to try and access the Trednet page online where I can change the settings. I wasn’t able to yesterday, I will try Confused’s suggestions.
Oh, I don’t understand the “MAC address”. I don’t have a Mac.
Re: Manually secure wirless router
this thread 
i wonder how they keep them calmnkool at the IT helpdesk. seems like the toughest job on earth 
Re: Manually secure wirless router
Mehnaz, that was a joke.
You have a tank for a Wifi AP, would you consider selling it to me for a replacement, non-wifi enabled router?
I think I can sell that sucker to some client for $100. It just doesnt' quit.
Re: Manually secure wirless router
no laughing at me.
The thing is Tofi, it won’t work without a wireless router.
I have hooked up the Kbox. We already have one modem, but the cable company has done something which makes it unable to read the Kbox. Which is why I had to hook up the Trednet Router. The only way the channels are coming on t.v. is through this wireless router. I also have a non-wireless router and it won’t work.
sigh
The lengths I am going through to ensure my mother can watch PTV …
Re: Manually secure wirless router
^ Mehnaz, just called someone from Geek Squad or call a techy friend to come over for coffee and free help - less of a hassle if you need this done quickly and don't have the time to explore and tweak the technical settings yourself.