How to Set Up Wi-Fi Internet in the House

SCReynolds | Sep 17, 2010 |

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Overview

A single router can connect to multiple computers in a home.

Credit: wlan router 02 image by pmphoto from Fotolia.com

Many people have Wi-Fi in their homes. This lets anyone with a laptop in the house to connect wirelessly to an Internet connection in the area. You need to have a paid Internet subscription service before you can set up a Wi-Fi system in your house. It is a good idea to secure the connection with a unique password. Unsecured home networks are open to hackers or people who want to use your Internet connection to download illegal things.

Set Up the Hardware

Step 1

Unplug the modem and router if they are powered on. Look on the bottom of your router for the IP address, which starts with "http." Write this address down on a piece of paper for later.

Step 2

Connect an Ethernet cable between your modem and your wireless router.

Step 3

Connect the router to your computer's Ethernet port with another Ethernet cable.

Step 4

Power on the modem and router and wait for the two to establish a connection.

Secure the Network

Step 1

Open a web browser window. Type in the IP address (printed on the bottom of the router) into the address bar and press "Enter." Another window or tab will load, asking you for a network name and security key.

Step 2

Type in the default admin name and security key that is printed on the bottom of your router. Press "Enter."

Step 3

Click on "Wireless," "Wireless Security." Choose a password encryption standard (WEP or WPA) and type in a unique security key (password). The security key should be between 8 and 32 characters long. The best passkeys are a combination of random letters and numbers that no on would guess. Write down the security key on a piece of paper and file it away in a secure area with your other computer documents.

Step 4

Think of a name for your home network, like "MyHomeNetwork." Type in a name for your wireless network in the blank space labeled "SSID." Save your settings and close the window. Write down the network name and store it with your security key.

Connect to the Network - Windows

Step 1

Remove the Ethernet cable from your laptop. Go to the "Start" button on your computer desktop. Then click on the "Connect to" button located on the lower right hand corner of the "Start" menu. Then click "Connect to a network." You will see a new window with a list of networks owned by your neighbors. The names you see are the names they picked out for their networks.

Step 2

Click on the name of your home network from the list and press "Connect." Another window will ask for your "Security key or passphrase," which is the password you set earlier.

Step 3

Enter your security key (the password that you set earlier). Click "Connect" to establish a connection. If it successfully connects, open a browser window to begin surfing the web.

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