Password protecting a wireless network

I have just set up a wireless network in my house, it's a shared house and the aim was simply to have everyone else in the house connected to the same broadband connection and no-one else from outside using it.
I am using an i-book with Airport Extreme and used this to set up the wireless router. The router is a Belkin 54g Wireless Cable/DSL router connected to a cable modem provided by ntl.
Airport had no problem seeing the router and I set up a password on the router and WEP encryption with a shared key. My internet connection runs fine and my housemate who has a pc with a USB wireless adaptor also has no problems. The big problem is that I can not see how to password protect the network.
I'm sure I am being stupid and missing something obvious but when I connect to the network it just doesn't give me the drop down box to input a password and I can't find any instructions on how to get it or set up a pasword. We live in a terraced house and can see at least one other wireless network so I can assume that they can see ours and a the moment there is nothing to stop them joining it.
Please can someone help, I can't find anything on the Mac website, the Belkin information is entirely designed for PCs despite the fact that that the router itself is Mac compatible and advertised as such. I don't really understand all the security and encryption stuff but I just want to make sure that only people I give a password to can use our internet connection and that that connection is secure. I don't even know whether this password is something I set up through the router or through my computer. I'm lost.
Thanks

Airport had no problem seeing the router and I set up
a password on the router and WEP encryption with a
shared key. My internet connection runs fine and my
housemate who has a pc with a USB wireless adaptor
also has no problems. The big problem is that I can
not see how to password protect the network.
If you have setup WEP encryption on the Router then you have already password protected the network. However I would suggest that you don't use WEP encryption as this can easily be cracked and offers a false sense of security. The only security worth using is WPA.
To enabled WPA log back into the router's web interface at http://192.168.2.1
Goto the wireless security and setup WPA-PSK
then the apply the changes. The next time you associate with your wireless network your mac should prompt you to enter a WPA password.
I'm sure I am being stupid and missing something
obvious but when I connect to the network it just
doesn't give me the drop down box to input a password
and I can't find any instructions on how to get it or
set up a pasword. We live in a terraced house and can
see at least one other wireless network so I can
assume that they can see ours and a the moment there
is nothing to stop them joining it.
Please can someone help, I can't find anything on the
Mac website, the Belkin information is entirely
designed for PCs despite the fact that that the
router itself is Mac compatible and advertised as
such. I don't really understand all the security and
encryption stuff but I just want to make sure that
only people I give a password to can use our internet
connection and that that connection is secure. I
don't even know whether this password is something I
set up through the router or through my computer. I'm
lost.
Thanks

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Password protecting my wireless network.

i have a wireless network at home and i need to password protect it. can someone help out with this.
i have a belkin 802.11 g
thanx

Maybe Belkin's wireless connection wizard can help you figure it out:
http://www4.belkin.com/wizard/netwiz/Default.aspx
Apple's Knowledge Base article regarding password-protecting your wireless network can be found here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=166633

How do I add a password to my wireless network

Hello,
First time posting to the board. So, in advance, thanks for you time and help. I am a computer idiot..not proud just realistic. I have read other posts and I just get lost in them as I do not have a strong working knwledge of computer knowledge. So, after reading on the linksys help pages, I have become even more confused. Basically what I need help with is just adding a password to my wireless network so the laptops in my house are the only ones that can use it. Probably a very basic question, but any help would be greatly welcomed.
Thanks,
Jeff

To set up wireless security, you must use a computer that is wired to the router.
Where to find the router settings: The router's login password is usually on one of the "Administration" pages. The other settings are all found in the "Wireless" section of the router's setup pages, located at 192.168.1.1
First, give your router a unique SSID. Don't use "linksys".
Make sure "SSID Broadcast" is set to "enabled".
Next, leave the router at its default settings (except for the unique SSID), and then use your pc to connect wirelessly to the router. Test your wireless Internet connection and make sure it is working correctly. You must have a properly working wireless connection before setting up wireless security.
To implement wireless security, you need to do one step at a time, then verify that you can still connect your wireless computer to the router.
Next, encrypt your wireless system using the highest level of encryption that all of your wireless devices will support. Common encryption methods are:
WEP - poor (see note below)
WPA (sometimes called PSK, or WPA with TKIP) - good
WPA2 (sometimes called PSK2, or WPA with AES) - best
WPA and WPA2 sometimes come in versions of "personal" and "enterprise". Most home users should use "personal". Also, if you have a choice between AES and TKIP, and your wireless equipment is capable of both, choose AES. With any encryption method, you will need to supply a key (sometimes called a "password" ).
The wireless devices (computers, printers, etc.) that you have will need to be set up with the SSID, encryption method, and key that matches what you entered in the router.
Retest your system and verify that your wireless Internet connection is still working correctly.
And don't forget to give your router a new login password.
Picking Passwords (keys): You should never use a dictionary word as a password. If you use a dictionary word as a password, even WPA2 can be cracked in a few minutes. When you pick your login password and encryption key (or password or passphrase) you should use a random combination of capital letters, small letters, and numbers, but no spaces. A login password, should be 12 characters or more. WPA and WPA2 passwords should be at least 24 characters. Note: Your key, password, or passphrase must not have any spaces in it.
Most home users should have their routers set so that "remote management" of the router is disabled. If you must have this option enabled, then your login password must be increased to a minumum of 24 random characters.
One additional issue is that Windows XP requires a patch to run WPA2. Go to Microsoft Knowledge base, article ID=893357 and it will direct you to the patch.
Sadly, the patch is not part of the automatic Windows XP updates, so lots of people are missing the patch.
Note:
WEP is no longer recommended. The FBI has demonstrated that WEP can be cracked in just a few minutes using software tools that are readily available over the Internet. Even a long random character password will not protect you with WEP. You should be using WPA or preferably WPA2 encryption.

Password protecting an airport network

My wireless network in my house is via an "old" airport base station (not "express", not "extreme"). I think it's the second generation model "Dual Ethernet" or "Snow." It looks like a small white alien spacecraft. It works great -- I access it via my old lime iBook and my new MacBook, and my husband accesses it via his old IBM/Clone and his new Futjitsu laptop.
We have never had password protection on the network, because, given where our house is, we didn't think anyone else could access it. But now, I'm pretty sure someone else is using it. So I'd like to password protect it. I can't do anything with the network from my MacBook -- it has to be done via the iBook. But I'm not entirely sure how to do it... someone else set up this network for me, and I'm so afraid I'm going to break the network and not be able to restore it. I've looked over the Apple advice regarding Express and Extreme, but I'm not sure the same info applies to my situation. I need really explicit directions. Any suggestions?

You can't use WPA encryption unless you are willing to update your iBook in a major way. But you could enter all the M.A.C addresses of the equipment permitted to join your network, or you could rely on WEP:
HT2594- AirPort Card: When You Can Join a WPA Network
I think you want to read the .pdf manual available through this article:
75138- Designing AirPort Networks for Mac OS 9 Document (42 pages)

Connecting to password protected generic wireless internet using Airport

Greetings,
How do I enter the password when trying to connect to a password protected generic wireless internet using my Airport card? (When I enter the password, it will not allow me to connect to the wireless internet because I am not entering the correct password but I am.) My computer recognizes the wireless internet it just won't allow me to connect. I assume there must be some special way to enter the password. Please help.
Thank you.

JennyMN, Welcome to the discussion area!
See KB 106424, AirPort: Joining an encrypted wireless network.

? regarding resetting password in Airport Wireless Network.

? regarding resetting password in Airport Wireless Network.
I am using comcast cable and have a netgear wireless router to access the internet. In my airport network preferrences I have a network name and a password which is working well on my brand new Macbook. However, I would like to use this same network for my old ibook G4 and here is the problem.
When I open the airport on the ibook I scroll through the list pick my network name and then it opens "the selected airport network requires a password to join" and asks for my password. It gives the wireless security " WPA personal" and asks for a password only.
I enter the password and it says it is not correct.
What could be going wrong with this??
Can I reset the password on the new Macbook and resolvethe problem?
Any info. would be appreciated.

Most likely I'm thinking that the Netgear router is using something other than WPA personal (WPA enterprise, WPA 2 comes to mind...) and that your iBook's Airport card doesn't support this later encryption. Try going into your router's setting and changing the security settings. (Although some may argue that this poses a greater security risk. Just avoid WEP and you should be good.)

How do you set up a password for a wireless network when using an Airport Extreme?

How do you set up a password for a wireless network when using an Airport Extreme wireless router?

Thanks for the updated information.
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click on the AirPort Extreme icon, then click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Check to make sure that the setting for Wireless Security reads either WPA2 Personal or WPA/WPA2 Personal
Enter a Wireless Password and Verify Password
Click Update to save any changes and wait a full minute for the AirPort Etreme to restart

Password for Airport Wireless Network

I have a wireless connection with a third party router (dlink). I also have an AE that I use solely to run itunes through my stereo system. I DO NOT use the AE to connect to the internet. I'm not concerned about a password for the AE, but I want to protect my dlink wireless connection. I thought I set up a password by going to the web configuration utility and entering the ip address of my dlink, but when I click on my airport icon it automatically lets me on-line without asking me for a password. Am I making any sense??? Thanks for your help!

Your wireless network is created by D-Link although accessed through the Airport menu!
OK, try this. From your browser (Safari, or Firefox, etc.) connect to the configuration page on your wireless router, for example here's the instructions for one of the D-Link wireless Access points:
Step 1
Log into the web configuration of the DWL-2000AP by opening up a web browser and typing in the IP address of the Access Point (192.168.0.50).
Step 2
The default username is admin (all lower case) and the password is blank (nothing) [and you have already changed this passorf to something other than blank]. Click OK. Select the Home tab and click Wireless on the left hand side of the screen.
Step 3
Select enabled next to the WEP radio buttons. For WEP Encryption select 64 or 128-bit encryption. For the Key Type select HEX.
Step 4
Select Key 1. In the box, enter a HEX key (a random encryption key that you make up). The length of the encryption key will depend on what you selected under WEP Encryption. The Hex key must be exactly the same on all your wireless products.
64-bit encryption - 10 characters
128-bit encryption - 26 characters
The encryption key is HEX, meaning 0-9 and A-F are valid characters.
Step 5
Click on the Apply button then click on the Continue button to save your settings.
Mac clients may require a dollar sign ($) in fron of the hex key to work. Once you have set a password your wireless clients including your Mac laptop and your Airport Express will not be able to connect wirelessly without that password so it would be a wise idea to enter the password into the Airport Express configuration before making it active on your D-Link!
Here is a site with specific instructions for all the D-Link models since I don't know which one you have:
http://support.dlink.com/faq/view.asp?prod_id=1081
If you run into trouble the D-Link could be connected with ethernet or set back to factory defaults but that question is better answered by D-Link support folks!

Where I can display my network password on my wireless network?

I would like to be able to display the network password on my existing wireless network that my MacBook Pro is already joined.

Open keychain access (in Italian is Accesso Portachiavi - don't know in English).
Go to system line and click it.
In the list of items find the name of your Network.
Doubleclick on it and it will open a panel with the information about your network. Check the box "Show Password"
You will be asked several times about your system Admin Password.

Setting up a password for my wireless network. . .

Hey all
I have a wireless network at my home using a Netgear DG834G v2 router. I need to set up a acess password on the network to stop theiving neighbours - has anyone done this before? If so what procedures did you go through?
I have tried it several times but keep losing the connection to all the computers on the network. . .
Many thanks in advance. . .

I have Dg834v2 as well which is a pain the neck with my macs, passwords and encryption methods are not remembered for more than a day or two by either of my os x laptops. Constantly interfered with by another Netgear router on the same street despite almost daily channel changes. ugh...
The only way I can get any stability at present is to disable all security in the Netgear and only allow the specific mac addresses of each laptop to connect. No idea if this secure and crazy though it is my Powerbook behaves far better as the only mac on the school windows wireless network than at home in a mac only environment !
Good luck with it!
Andy

Airport keeps giving me the message that I entered an invalid password for my wireless network.

When I use network preferences to connect wirelessly to my wifi home network and enter the correct password that works on my iPad and other computers, I keep getting the message that I entered an invalid password. I have checked my keychain and made certain the correct password in saved there. Any suggestions?

It is asking for your security phrase not the router's password, in case you are entering the wrong password. If you are sure you are entering the correct phrase, you can reset your router to factory defaults then set up your security again.

How can I give my WVC210 the password to my wireless network?

I can connect to my wireless router that doesn't require a password, but I cannot for the life of me find out how to give the camera the password to my other access point so that I can use it instead.

Paul,
Login to the camera with Internet Explorer. Go to Setup-> Basic Setup, scroll to the bottom of the page. Input the SSID and select Infrastructure. Press the Edit Security Settings button and input the security type and passphrase.

How can I uncover a lost password for my wireless network?

Cannot find my password for the Wi-Fi network on my iPhone 6Plus. Any suggestions? Thanks.

If it's your personal WiFi network the default password should be on a sticker somewhere on the router. If you have changed the password log in to the management console on the router, which you would know how to do as it's necessary to change the password. If it is not yours you will have to ask the network administrator.

Is there a way to password protect my wireless printer?

My children have their own user set up and I'm happy with the parental controls I have in place, except for their access to the printer. I don't mind a few printed pages, but 20 pages of the same Dora picture is too much :-) I figured out how to remove the option to print under their user profile, but I would rather that they need a password to print (which only I know). Is this possible?

The core printing system (CUPS) can apply a print quota to a printer, such as 5 pages per day, but this limit would apply to all users - not just the kids.
There is an application called PaperCut that can control usage and there appears to be a free version for 5 users or less.

How Do I Connect An Airport Extreme With Password to another Wireless Devic

We have a setup for two different wireless devices so that there are multiple locations that can get online, but the entire setup has no passwords assigned. We would like to assign passwords to both wireless devices so that only the appropriate people are getting online. How does one do this?
The first wireless device that connects directly to the modem from the phone company is a brand new Apple Airport Extreme. The computer that set up the device so that people can get a signal was from a PC that is directly connected to the Airport Extreme via an ethernet cable. Also connected to the Airport Extreme is an ethernet cable that goes (50-100ft) to another wireless device - by Netgear - which then sends out another signal to pick up wireless internet, which is the signal/network that I work from.
If we assign a password to the Airport Extreme, I'm guessing it will complete screw up the connection to the Netgear. How would that be dealt with? And, how could we then, if we wanted, set up a password for the Netgear as well. I've read some initial information on the user guide CD and online, but I don't know the terminology of whether these are networks or just wireless devices 'bridged' together, etc.
My biggest concern, is it works right now, but the owner of the devices wants to put passwords on it and I want to make sure we can keep it working even with passwords. Does anyone know how to easily set up passwords and can I do it from my computer even though they were initially set up by a PC? Or do I have to do it from the PC and if so, how, because I am completely a Mac person and am very unfamiliar with Windows. Thanks.

Question that I need to know now is how do we set up a password on the Apple Airport Extreme now, when it is already set up and working without one?
Open AirPort Utility.
Select your base station, and then choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu. Enter the base station password if necessary.
Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then click Wireless.
Choose a password scheme from the Wireless Security pop-up menu.
Enter the password all users will need in order to join this wireless network.
AirPort Utility 5.1 Help: Password-protecting your wireless network
Also, are there different types of passwords and if so, what is the most reliable one so that we don't lose connections, time out or have any other quirks?
There are different types of wireless encryption. WPA2 and WPA are the most secure especially when used with a non-dictionary password. 128 bit WEP is passable in most situations but not very strong. 40/64 bit WEP is extremely weak.
There is really no general "reliability" issue with any of them. Some devices aren't compatible with some of them.
If when we assign a password to the Apple Airport Extreme and for some reason the Netgear stops working, how do we unassign/take away the password on the Airport to get it back to the current setup that we know does work?
Follow the procedure above but disable wireless encryption instead of enabling it.

Password protecting a wireless network

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