Solved Changing wifi encryption from WEP to WPA2 in Win7 on Acer laptop

[VicC]

As advised by many sources, I am trying to change wifi encryption from WEP to WPA2 to help prevent 'piggy-backing' by others (which I believe has occurred). I have configured my router and it now shows WPA2 but on my laptop it appears (somewhat surprisingly!) that Win7 only supports WEP (the only option, apart from 'open', shown in the relevant drop-down menu).

I have checked and the 'Network Adapter' is the latest available.

Please tell me (not very computer-literate!) what I should do.

Thanking you in anticipation of a an early and positive response,

VicC

Acer Aspire 5741
Windows 7 Home Premium

 

[andyvrc]

i think that's what you mean? let's see Control Panel > Network And Internet > Manage Wireless Network ,and see for your wifi and right click > properties > see the Security Tab at wireless network properties Dialog,and you can change Encryption type,security type,and password.
sorry if it false

 

[bassfisher6522]

You also might want to consider turning off your SSID in your wireless properties of your router. With out make and model of your router, I can't give you a link for directions on how to do this. It's not complicated and is another line of defence for wi-fi jacking.

 

[VicC]

Andy VRC: had tried what you suggest but was more careful this time and looked to see what I was doing wrongly - found that in Properties Security drop-down menu I was looking at 'Encryption type' instead of 'Security type' (well, I did say I wasn't very computer-literate!!).

Bassfisher: thanks for the advice.

All fine now - many thanks to both of you for finding the time to respond.

VicC

 

[VicC]

Hiding SSID-Thomson TG585v7

Bassfisher 6522

Further to my posting about WEP/WPA2:

My router is Thomson TG585 v7 Software release 7.4.2.7: grateful for instruction on how to hide my SSID - perhaps once again I'm missing something obvious!!

With thanks for your help

VicC

Acer Aspire 5741
Windows 7

 

[Golden]

Hi Vic,

Please refer to page 27 onward in the manual, attached here for your convenience.

Regards,
Golden

 

[VicC]

Hiding SSID-Thomson TG585v7

Thanks for your reply, Golden: unfortunately Windows won't open the attachment (something about the compressed folder being invalid/empty??) - but again it could be just me

Vic

 

[Golden]

Ahh Vic...my apologies. I zipped it using 7ZIP, and not Windows.....please try this new ZIP file.

 

[VicC]

Hiding SSID-Thomson TG585v7

Golden: thanks for the link to the manual (useful for the future no doubt!) - could you be more specific about the location of the instructions for hiding SSID - I can't seem to find them anywhere in page 27 and after.

Vic

 

[VicC]

Hiding SSID-Thomson TG585v7

Sorry Golden - think I've done it by unchecking 'Broadcast Network Name' - however, I can still see the SSID when I click on the icon in the menu made available by clicking on the little upward arrow on the Task Bar next to the time). Is that how it should be and can I take it that others cannot see it??

Sorry to be somewhat obtuse!

Vic

 

[Golden]

Hi,

Yes, that's it - you might have to reboot the router for the changes to take effect.

Regards,
Golden

 

[VicC]

Thanks Golden: if I might try your patience a little longer -when I click on the icon in the menu made available by clicking on the little upward arrow on the Task Bar next to the time, it shows 'Other network', presumably as a result of hiding my SSID, but still shows my SSID in the list of networks (together with, for example, the SSIDs of neighbours). What I'm not sure of is: do my neighbours see the same list (including my SSID) or do they see something different?? It would seem odd that as well as seeing 'Other network' they could still see my SSID!

With thanks again

Vic