Step 8: Enable encryption

Now enable encryption. If your router and all of your wireless adapters support it, use Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) encryption with a preshared key. This provides more than adequate security for most home users. If your hardware doesn't support WPA, enable Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption.

Most routers let you create WEP or WPA keys by entering a passphrase. You'll likely need to enter the passphrase twice for verification. Apply the changes without exiting.


Don't use a passphrase that's easy for an intruder to decipher. Mix it up; create one that's hard to guess, with a combination of numbers and letters.