For home use, there are a few things that some people may overlook when setting up their wireless router. The following are some steps for computer users to secure their wireless home network:

1. Remember to change your default password for the administrator and user accounts in the wireless router. Many typical brands like D-Link or Linksys have default passwords such as "admin" or even no password at all.

2. Turn off or change the default SSID. Similar to the previous point, the default SSID (network name broadcast) of a Linksys wireless router is normally "linksys" and a D-Link, its model name. For most home users, changing it to something unique but not directly identifiable to your home is recommended. For a few households who have savvy computer users at home, SSID broadcast can be turned off.

3. Turn on the wireless security encryption. Most home wireless router devices have wireless security encryption options including WEP, WPA and WPA2. At a minimum, WEP should be turned on. But since this encryption method has been broken and considered weak, WPA or its newer and more secure format WPA2, should be used.

Be aware that some older wireless adapters might not be able to connect to or have compatibility issues with wireless networks using the newer WPA or WPA2 encryption.

The wireless security encryption usually uses one key which all the devices share within a network. If someone outside the network tries to connect without the proper key, they will not be able to send or receive data properly on the wireless network, therefore denied use of the wireless home network.

A tip for advanced home computer users:
The next step is normally not recommended for general users as it is more technical.

4. Using MAC filtering. This is a great way to make a network secure from unauthorized wireless clients. An advanced home user can set the specific MAC address of the devices such as laptops and desktops he wishes to have connected to the router. All other devices without authorized MAC addresses listed in the wireless router will not be able to connect at all.

**Important note: Be aware that the MAC filtering is not a 100% fail-safe solution. Advanced computer users who know how to change their MAC addresses can still spoof (fool the wireless router) their way into your network. Generally for home use, this isn't a big concern.