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Setup WiFi on the Linksys BEFSR41W

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Setup Router Staff
(Last Updated: ) | Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Linksys BEFSR41W router is considered a wireless router because it offers WiFi connectivity. WiFi, or simply wireless, allows you to connect various devices to your router, such as wireless printers, smart televisions, and WiFi enabled smartphones.

Use a VPN Instead

Have you considered using a VPN instead of forwarding a port? For most users, a VPN is a much simpler and more secure choice than forwarding a port.

We use and recommend NordVPN because not only is it the fastest VPN, it includes a new feature called Meshnet that makes forwarding a port no longer necessary for most applications. With NordVPN Meshnet, you can connect to your devices from anywhere in the world, completely secure, over a highly encrypted VPN tunnel.

When shopping for a VPN, make sure that they meet the following criteria:

  • Your VPN provider should have a no-logs policy. This means that they do not keep any logs of any kind.
  • Make sure that your VPN provider has lots of exit nodes all around the world.
  • Check that your VPN will not affect your speed.
  • Verify that your VPN provider uses WireGuard as the underlying protocol.
  • Many people prefer a VPN provider that is not based in the United States.

This is the list of requirements that we used when we were shopping around for a VPN provider. There are lots of free, shady VPN providers out there that we looked at and dismissed.

Based in Panama, using diskless servers, and with over 6,100 servers in 61 countries, we can safely say that NordVPN satisfies all of these requirements.

NordVPN is the fastest VPN!

Once you've set up your NordVPN account on multiple computers and enabled Meshnet, you can seamlessly access all of your devices as if they were on the same network. You don't even have to log in to your router. It's very simple.

Every time you click on one of our affiliate links, such as NordVPN, we get a little kickback for introducing you to the service. Think of us as your VPN wingman.

Other Linksys BEFSR41W Guides

This is the wifi guide for the Linksys BEFSR41W. We also have the following guides for the same router:

WiFi Terms

Before we get started there is a little bit of background info that you should be familiar with.

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You might notice that most of our site doesn't have ads on it. This is because we use partnerships with companies like NordVPN to keep the site running. Thank you for supporting us by using our referral links.

Wireless Name

Your wireless network needs to have a name to uniquely identify it from other wireless networks. If you are not sure what this means we have a guide explaining what a wireless name is that you can read for more information.

Wireless Password

An important part of securing your wireless network is choosing a strong password.

Wireless Channel

Picking a WiFi channel is not always a simple task. Be sure to read about WiFi channels before making the choice.

Encryption

You should almost definitely pick WPA2 for your networks encryption. If you are unsure, be sure to read our WEP vs WPA guide first.

Login To The Linksys BEFSR41W

To get started configuring the Linksys BEFSR41W WiFi settings you need to login to your router. If you are already logged in you can skip this step.

To login to the Linksys BEFSR41W, follow our Linksys BEFSR41W Login Guide.

Find the WiFi Settings on the Linksys BEFSR41W

If you followed our login guide above then you should see this screen.

router status mac address internet IP
This is the status page from your Linksys BEFSR41W router.

You are starting on the Status page of the Linksys BEFSR41W. This is the correct page in order to setup the WiFi to your specifications.

Change the WiFi Settings on the Linksys BEFSR41W

router status mac address internet IP
This is the status page from your Linksys BEFSR41W router.

Scroll down this page until you come to the section titled Wireless. Find the SSID box. This is the name you create so you can identify your network. It's not important what you enter in this box, but it's a good idea to avoid personal information. Learn more about this by reading our guide on the topic called How to Change your Wireless Name.

Directly under that is the SSID Broadcast. If you want your name to be hidden from wireless devices click the Disable radio button. Remember that this is only security in the form of obscurity. You are hiding your name, but it's not invisible. A good hacker can still find your network if they want to.

Below that is the Channel. Make sure you use the channel of 1,6, or 11. If you are interested in learning why you should only use one of these three channels, read our guide titled WiFi Channels.

Next is the type of security you are planning on using. This particular version of this router only allows for WEP. We strongly advise you to update your firmware so you can use WPA2-PSK. Read all about this topic, when you click this link.

Click the Apply button before exiting.

Possible Problems when Changing your WiFi Settings

After making these changes to your router you will almost definitely have to reconnect any previously connected devices. This is usually done at the device itself and not at your computer.

Other Linksys BEFSR41W Info

Don't forget about our other Linksys BEFSR41W info that you might be interested in.

This is the wifi guide for the Linksys BEFSR41W. We also have the following guides for the same router: