How do I get my router to only connect to one computer and block everything else?

Question

trying to connect it to ps3..I don't want anyone else picking it up or even seeing that it's there..have a linksys router..how do I configure it?

Answer 1

Because routers differ as to details, I can't be specific about how to accomplish these steps, but they're almost all done from within the router's administration web pages. Note: It’s best to do them from a computer cabled (even just temporarily) to the router rather than wirelessly, especially since wireless administration will be deactivated by step #1.

1. Deactivate wireless access to your router's administration web pages so only a computer connected via an Ethernet cable can reach them.  This won’t affect wireless use of the Internet, just wireless administration. Even if you don’t want to leave a computer connected via a cable, leave the cable there for when you need it.  Here are some horror stories of people who didn't:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

2. Turn off the SSID (network name) broadcast from the router.  There's no need to advertise your network's presence.  You're not running a hotspot; everyone who should be on your network should know its name.

3. Change your SSID from the default.  Hackers know that routers come with default SSIDs and look for them.

4. Set up encryption with an encryption key.  The longer, the better. WPA (if your network and all your computers can support 802.11G) is better than WEP.  WEP is better than nothing.

5. Limit access to only the computers you want on the network via MAC filtering. (MAC refers to unique NIC (Network Interface Card) addresses, not Macintosh computers, and not IP addresses.)  This isn't a defense against hardcore freeloaders -- it's possible to fake MAC addresses -- but it keeps out casual interlopers.

6. Change the range of and/or limited the number of automatically assigned IP addresses (DHCP) to reduce the chance of extra users.  Again, hackers know what ranges routers come from the factory with.  Changing them makes it a little harder to hop on board.

That should go far toward hardening your wireless network.

Hardwired Machines on Wireless Network

There don't absolutely have to be any hard-wired computers, but if you don't have at least one, you have to permit wireless access to your router's administration screens. This is a bad thing, as anyone who manages to gain access wirelessly can then hijack the router. The router should be set so only cabled machines (even only one) can access the admin screens.

Second reason: hard-wired machines don't need the network key to use the router. This is a BIG plus, because it's also a good way to find out what the network key actually is, if you need to, and to get to the Internet for help.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Details vary from model to model, but the basic idea is to log into the router's admin console.  (If you have other computers connected wired, you usually go there from your browser with "http://192.168.1.1" and enter your admin password.  Please make sure to change the default password.)

From the admin console, you can "hide" the wireless network by disabling "SSID broadcast".  The "SSID" is the name you give your wireless network.  By turning off the broadcast, no one can connect without knowing the name.  Note that people may be able to see an "unnamed wireless network", but that's it.

Next, change the SSID to something meaningful to you, but not "obvious" to anyone else.

Next, enable some sort of encryption, such as WEP or WPA.  I don't know what types the PS3 supports, but make sure you select one that is supported.

Finally, you can do "MAC address filtering".  Every network adapter has something called a "MAC address", which is unique to every adapter.  (Even two adapters of the same make and model will have different MAC addresses.)  This tells the router to only accept connections from a given adapter.  Only enable your PS3's MAC address.  (I don't know how to get the PS3's MAC address, but it should be somewhere in the wireless configuration.)

After this, you will have a wireless network that will only be accessible by your PS3, will be hidden from anyone who doesn't know your SSID, and will have encrypted communication between your PS3 and the router.

Answer 3

Add a WEP password to your router, so only you can connect to it. Just call the tech support number on the back of the router and they will help you step by step.