Password for Airport Wireless Network

Question

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!

Answer 1

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!