Question

Encrypt WLAN correctly - this is how it works

Answer 1

WLAN encryption: You should pay attention to these settings

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Would you like to encrypt your WiFi network correctly and thus secure it from the outside world? We show you how it works..

When setting up a WiFi network, be sure to encrypt it. Otherwise it is accessible to everyone within easy reach and your private data could easily be intercepted. In our tips + tricks article, we will show you which encryption methods are safe and which methods you should avoid.

WLAN encryption: You should pay attention to these settings

The options for WLAN security can be found in the settings of your router . To do this, connect to your router's WiFi network. When you connect the router for the first time or have reset it to the factory settings, you will usually find the login data on the underside of your router. You can look up how to get to the router's configuration page in the router's manual . Alternatively, you can also try directly to enter the IP address 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in the address line of your browser . The configuration pages differ from router to router .

In the following we explain to you which steps you can use to increase the security of your WLAN and which settings you have to make for it:

• Network name (SSID): Change the default network name. Using the preset network names, hackers can more easily identify the router model and thus exploit possible security gaps.

• Select the WPA encryption method : Usually you will be offered WEP or WPA encryption. WEP is an outdated standard and should not be chosen. Definitely choose WPA, or even better the more modern standard WPA2 (or WPA2-PSK, WPA2 AES or WPA2 CCMP). You can find out the exact difference between WEP and WPA here. If you still have old WLAN devices that do not support the WPA2 method, you can also use the WPA + WPA2 method. Then, depending on the compatibility, a switch is made between WPA and WPA2.

• Network key: This is your WiFi password. You should definitely change the password given by the router here as well. You can find out how to create a strong password in this article.

• Deactivating WPS : WPS enables a quick connection of WLAN devices to the router, such as a network printer. With some manufacturers, the connection to new devices is established after entering a four-digit PIN. So-called brute force tools could attack your network here. However, it is safer to manually establish a connection between new devices and WLAN.

Conclusion : First change the router's SSID and use WPA2 in combination with a long password . You should then deactivate WPS in the router settings.

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