How do I setup a password for my wireless connection?

[G1500]

+1 on the hard reset and not installing the router manufacturer's software.

I'm just wondering what "drivers" would be installed on the computer though. The computer should be able to fully access and manage the router via either ethernet or wireless without anything more than a working web browser.

I just meant installing software in general. When buying a new printer for example, most hardware is plug and play, especially if you have a new OS. I always let windows try to find drivers for things before I install software from the MFG. If it fails, I use the disc to install drivers, but I hate most 3rd party software.

As far as routers are concerned, you should break the disc that comes in the box. There is no software you need to install for anything to work. In fact, I am willing to bet you do not even need to configure most routers to work, plug it in, and you can connect to the unsecured network.

[G1500]

Admin password:
Read the manual in the link above. If the standard password doesn't work, someone else probably has changed it. If the Verizon guy changed it he should have written it for you somewhere. If one of your neighbors changed it, you'll have to do a factory reset, and then you'll have to reconnect to Verizon, which will probably entail calling them. Bottom line is you DO NOT want to leave it "admin" or whatever standard it is.

Wireless password:
On most routers when you select WEP you have to create a passcode, then it generates an alphanumeric string from that. That string is what you type in when you try to connect on your laptop. Not the passcode you made up.

It is best to generate your own password for the network. You can choose to use a passphrase to generate a password for you, but you may as well use your own password. I have a phone number for my network, something easy for me to remember, and not in the dictionary.

Also, Avoid WEP any time you are setting up a network unless one of the clients you are trying to connect cannot accept WPA2-AES. WEP can easily be cracked in just a few minutes.

[cruising7388]

We got this router a yearsss ago but when the guy asked me what I wanted my password to be for it, I told him I'd add it later since I had no clue what to set it as. Now a days, I realize it's really a necessity to get this darn thing up so I don't have to worry about people not in this house using our internet or even worse, security issues.. Is this something I need to call Verizon about or is this a simple set up? The "WPA" and other things confuse the heck out of me!

The default WPA is typically the serial number of the router.

[Javi]

I see where to hard reset it but am going to wait 'til I read the entire manual & understand it. I don't want to screw up and be without internet for a while haha.

[G1500]

Hard reset just resets everything to the state it was when you unboxed it.

[JDay]

I see where to hard reset it but am going to wait 'til I read the entire manual & understand it. I don't want to screw up and be without internet for a while haha.

How would that leave you without internet? A hard reset just resets to factory, at which point you can login to the web interface with the default username/password and configure the router.

[G1500]

How would that leave you without internet? A hard reset just resets to factory, at which point you can login to the web interface with the default username/password and configure the router.

It would also be configured already. Default SSID and no password (unless it had an automatic password).

[Javi]

I'm happy to say I just now (right now!) got into my IP thing. A lot of the terms on the homepage confuse the hell out of me, I'm going to have to read this thread carefully. Do I keep "Wireless Radio" on? I'll switch my authentication from "Open System" to either WPA or WPA-PSK. I'm not sure what the difference between the two are, any suggestions?

[G1500]

You want WPA2 AES. That is the best choice.

You want to keep the wireless radio on. Do you mean wireless radio, or SSID? Many people suggest turning off the SSID, but I leave it on, because it can be a pain in the *** for others, or yourself if you are not computer savvy. It can also be a pain in the *** to set up wireless clients that do not allow you to manually enter a SSID. I say keep it on.

[Javi]

I'll type what the wireless tab looks like:

Wireless Radio: On(check) or Off
SSID: The Verizon guy made one up for me. My first name + Fios
Channel: 6/ autoselect(un-selected)
Authentication: Open system(check), Shared Key, WPA, WPA-PSK.
WEP: Disabled(checked)/ Enabled
WEP Encryption: 64 bit(selected), 128 bit
Key Type: Hex(selected), ASCII
Key 1: (selected) blank..
Key 2: blank
Key 3: blank
Key 4: blank


I finished changing the admin and user password to get into this IP interface.

[G1500]

Go for WPA-PSK.

You will need to come up with a password for the network which will go into the Key 1 section.

[Javi]

Sa-weet. I selected WPA-PSK and it changed so the wireless radio option is there, my SSID, Authentication(now selected WPA-PSK) and Passphrase with a box below it to confirm it.

[G1500]

PS, it is best to make changes to your wireless router while connected via cat5 cable. If you change your security settings, you will be cut off until you change the settings on the wireless clients.

[Javi]

^I'm not sure if I understood most of that haha but I did get cut off because of some settings I messed around with earlier. I think I'm good! After I found my network again, I typed in my passcode and I'm back online.

[G1500]

What happens if you are changing settings on a wireless router, and you are connected via wireless, you may get kicked off, and are not able to finish making changes. It is recommended that you use an "Internet Cable". If you know what you are doing, you should be OK without connecting via wired connection, but always keep that in mind in case something goes wrong.