Fix Connectivity Issues
It sounds crazy, but 95 percent of all Internet connectivity problems
can be solved by power-cycling both the router and the modem. Turn them
both off, and then turn the modem back on first. Once its "sync" or
signal light comes on, turn on your router.
Use Encryption
You've probably heard this before, but it bears repeating: Always
enable your router's wireless security! Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
encryption is the oldest (and weakest) form of security; the newer (and
stronger) Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and WPA-2 are the best protection
available today for home users.
Update Your Router's Firmware
All routers include internal read-only chips with embedded instructions
that can be updated by the manufacturer. Router manufacturers generally
update a product's firmware to increase performance as well as to
resolve bugs and security issues, so it's wise to keep your router's
firmware up-to-date. Check the manufacturer's Web site for the latest
updates.
Boost Your Wireless Signal
If walls and
distance are causing wireless signal degradation, you can do a few
things to boost it. Move your router to higher ground—the signal
radiates downward. You can also try a signal extender (or repeater),
which boosts the signal. Finally, high-gain antennas will work, but they
only focus the signal in one direction.
Change Admin Password
Every router has a well-known default password that's used to access
the router's browser-based configuration page. Most setup wizards will
make you change this password, but not all do. If not, be sure to change
it yourself to prevent unwanted hangers-on from changing your network's
settings.
Go Back to Factory Settings
If you've
lost or forgotten your router's login credentials, you can get around
this predicament by resetting the router to its factory settings. Do
this by holding down the button on the back of it for 30 seconds. Next,
look in the manual for the default user name and password, and then
change them on your router's browser-based configuration page.
Disable SSID Broadcast
Unless you disable it, your router broadcasts its service set
identifier (SSID)—the name of your network—which allows your neighbors
to see (and attempt to gain access to) your network. Instead, disable
broadcasting, making the network appear as "SSID not broadcast." Access
the unnamed network by typing in the SSID name when prompted.
Change the Default SSID
Change your pre-defined, default SSID—leaving it as "Linksys," for
example, tells the world that you haven't configured your router, which
invites attackers.
Filter by MAC Address
Every piece
of networking gear includes a unique "fingerprint" called a media
access control, or MAC, address. You can configure your router to filter
connections using these addresses so that only your computers can
connect to your network. Most routers will show you connected devices,
so adding an adapter's MAC address is a one-click process.
Step Up to 5GHz
The majority of today's networks operate in the crowded 2.4GHz
frequency range, which is shared by microwaves, cordless phones, and
other home networks. To avoid possible interference, many new routers
are capable of broadcasting at 5GHz, which has 23 wide-open channels as
opposed to 2.4GHz's three non-overlapping channels.
Limit Your Number of DHCP Clients
Most people use their router as a DHCP server; when clients connect,
the router dynamically assigns IP addresses from a large pool of
addresses. Limiting that list to the number of clients in your home,
however, will help prevent interlopers from hopping onto your network.
Use Your Router's Firewall
Two features make most hardware firewalls more powerful than software
firewalls: stateful packet inspection (SPI) and network address
translation (NAT). SPI examines packets' content and behavior before
granting access, and NAT hides all PCs connected to the router from the
Internet, "translating" their IP addresses into private ones that are
unreachable from outside the firewall.
Change Your Channel
Wireless B and G (and some N) routers operate at the 2.4GHz frequency,
which only has three non-overlapping channels: 1, 6 and 11. By default,
your router will most likely be using one of these channels, and the bad
news is so your neighbors' routers as well. If you experience dropped
connections, sluggish performance or both, a good first step is to
switch the channel. If it's set to channel 1, go to 11. If it's set to
6, try either 1 or 11 for best results.
Let Windows Control Your Wireless Networks
If a network adapter's software takes control of your wireless network,
it can be difficult to put Windows back in charge. First, click Start,
then Run, then type services.msc. Scroll down to Wireless Zero
Configuration and start the service. Right-click your wireless
connection, select view available networks, and then click advanced
settings on the left. Click the wireless networks tab, and check "Use
Windows to Configure my wireless network settings."
Disable File Sharing in Public
If you're in a public place with a Net connection, it's a good idea to
disable File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks. In the
properties of your network adapter, uncheck the appropriate box. It's
also a good idea to switch your notebook's wireless radio off if you
aren't using it.