It is very important, having installed a Wi-Fi router at home or in the office, reliably protect not only the wireless Wi-Fi network, but also access to the router's control panel. This article will be completely devoted to setting up protection for access to the settings of a Tp-Link router. First, we will change the standard admin password, which is used to log into the Tp-Link control panel, to a more complex one, and then we will allow access to the settings to only one computer (filter by MAC address).
Poor protection (or lack thereof) of the control panel, coupled with poor protection of the Wi-Fi network, is almost completely open access to the settings of your router. For example, you gave your neighbor a Wi-Fi password. Once connected to the network, he can access the settings (if not secure). We definitely don't need it. Or, by hacking into a wireless network, an attacker can make any settings into your router.
According to my observations, few people protect the control panel, and this is a big mistake. Works for a couple of minutes.
Since the routers of the Tp-Link company have practically the same control panel (for which I love the Tp-Link company), this article can be called universal within the routers of this company. It is suitable for such popular models as: TL-WR940N, TL-WR841N, TL-WR842ND, TD-W8960N, TL-MR3420, TL-WR741ND, TD-W8968, TL-WR843ND, TL-WR1043ND.
Protecting the control panel of the Tp-Link router with a password
This is the first thing to do. In general, I recommend changing the password while setting up this very router.
We go into the settings. The procedure is standard: we connect to the wireless network from the router we need, or by cable. We type the address in the browser 192.168.1.1if it doesn't work, then 192.168.0.1... Enter username / password, by default - admin and admin... Actually, we will change these standard data further.
In the settings go to the itemSystem Tools - Password... In pointsOld User Name and Old Password specify the old username and password, respectively. By default, these are admin and admin (if you haven't changed them yet).
In fieldNew User Name specify a new login that will be used when entering the settings (you can leave it as admin). And in the fieldsNew Password and Confirm New Password specify the new password that you will enter when entering the router control panel.
Save your new password and login in a safe place.
Write it down on a piece of paper or in a document on your computer.
Immediately after clicking on the Save button, a login and password request will appear. Specify the new data and you will be taken to the settings again.
We have changed the password, we still have only to block access to the settings for all computers, except for one, yours. Well, or two, three, that's what you need.
Allow access to the settings for only one computer (by MAC address)
Most likely, you have one computer from which you are configuring the router. So, now we will only open for him access to the settings page by IP address, and for other devices we will deny it. When someone wants to access the settings at 192.168.0.1, or 192.168.1.1, they will see an error.
Perform this setting from the computer you want to grant access to. Open the tab Security - Local Management (Security - Local Management).
Include the item "Only the PCs listed can browse ...". Click the button"Add"(add). In the fieldMAC 1 the MAC address of your computer from which you are currently working will appear. This means that only he will be able to access the settings of the Tp-Link router. In the field MAC 2, MAC 3, etc., you can also specify the MAC addresses of devices for which you want to open the settings.
Press the button to save Save (save).
Everything is ready! You can take another device that is connected to the Internet through your network and try to go to the settings. You will see an error. And you can only configure the router from a computer that is allowed access.
Your router settings are securely protected. I also advise you to make a backup copy of the settings in order to quickly restore them if necessary.
