Protect Your Wi-Fi

Overview

Please help keep the air clean and make sure your wireless DSL has a password and is locked so others can not connect to your line. If your line is open, you are possibly causing an insurmountable stumbling block for others who are using your connection and inadvertently destroying the lives of your frum neighbors and/or their children! Unfortunately, there are literally thousands of unsecured lines even in very frum neighborhoods which have ruined the lives of others.

Bochurim in the best Yeshivas are getting destroyed due to the carelessness of their neighbors in Eretz Yisroel and America. One bochur who could not overcome this test had to switch to another Yeshiva as a result. Please, take a minute of your time to follow the instructions below. If you are not able to do so yourself, either ask a friend, contact your provider, or contact us for instructions on how to secure your line (you are protecting yourself as well since any viruses your neighbor downloads can possibly infect your computer as well). Similarly, make sure you are not receiving any signals from your own neighbors that your children might pick up on their computers, ipods etc.. By following this advice, your children, neighbors, and neighbor's children will thank you!

How to Lock a Wireless Network

Warning: Passwording your router protects your next-door neighbor’s and other people outside of your home. If you intend on protecting people inside your home, this step alone is not sufficient. In addition to applying a password you will need to physically lock your router in a cupboard, or get yourself a wired router.

There are two ways of locking your wireless network:

The first is by creating a password, so that only someone with the password can access the Internet.

The second way, which is more secure, only allows access to devices on a “permitted list.” This works by using a unique identifier for each device, called a MAC address. With this system only specified computers and devices can access the wireless network.

1. Open the preferences for your router.

Often the preferences are set by opening your web browser and entering a URL with numbers (example: http://192.168.1.1) in the address bar. You may need a password. The default password and address is often printed on the router itself, or in the instructions that came with it.

If you set the router password long ago and no longer remember it, you can often reset the password to the manufacturer’s default by pressing a reset button or pin on the router itself (holding it down for 20 seconds or so).

Alternatively, preferences may be set via a specific program for your router, which you installed on your computer when you added the router.

2. Find the wireless security settings.

Look for a tab that says “Wireless Security” or something similar. Click on it. There should be an option to “Enable.” You will need to choose which type of security you wish to use. We suggest using “WPA” or “WPA2” for maximum security.

3. Enable WPA password and save/apply.

Enter a password and confirm. Then click on “Save Changes/Apply.” Your router should reboot and after a minute or two, you will be able to use it only with the password you chose.

These instructions have been taken from the webchaver website here.