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Wireless Security set-up

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The new BT Home Hub uses WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) encryption by default to protect the data that moves across the radio waves from it to other wireless devices. Many wireless devices sold today offer this more secure method of protection. WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy) is an older, less secure way of protecting such data. The BT Home Hub and BT Home Hub 1.5 both use WEP encryption by default since some older wireless devices are not compatible with stronger encryption types, such as WPA.
Depending on your Hub version, choose either ‘Switch to WPA’ or ‘Change default WEP key’ and follow these simple steps to increase your BT Home Hub’s automatic wireless security – even if you don’t use wireless yourself. To complete these steps you’ll need to disconnect the internet, so please print these instructions for your reference using the ‘print this page’ link above.
1. Switch to WPA

1. Increase your wireless security

You can do this, at no extra cost, by changing your Hub’s security from WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) to WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access).

To be able to switch to WPA, all the devices that you want to connect to your Hub must support WPA. If they do, go to step 2. If they don’t, go to ‘Change default WEP key’ below.

Important: some older wireless equipment may not support WPA. We suggest you contact the manufacturer of your computer and devices to check if they support WPA, and find out if software updates are available to enable them to use WPA.

2. Access Hub Manager

Double-click on the Hub Manager icon on your desktop or type bthomehub.home into the address bar of your web browser.

3. Change Hub Manager settings

Click 'Basic Config' and enter your Hub Manager password¹. Then:

  1. select 'Wireless', then select 'Use WPA-PSK Encryption'
  2. under 'WPA-PSK Encryption Key', type in a new ‘key’ of your choice. This can be any mixture of letters (upper or lower case, avoid dictionary words or names) or numbers, up to eight characters. Please don’t enter the default key that came with your Hub
  3. make a note of your new key and click ‘Apply’
  4. any devices already connected wirelessly to your Hub will be disconnected. To reconnect these, you’ll need to use the new key you’ve just chosen and change their security setting to WPA. Follow the instructions provided with the devices. You’ll probably need to locate the wireless connection settings, select your Hub from the list of devices in range, choose to connect to it and enter your new key when asked

If there's no 'Basic Config' menu, you’ll need to update your Hub’s firmware – please see www.bt.com/setup/hubfirmware

Or, if you’re using Safari, please use a different web browser.

2. Change default WEP key

Click 'Basic Config' and log in using your username and password¹. Then:

1. Access Hub Manager

If you’re connected using wireless, you'll lose your connection to the internet temporarily when you change your default WEP key. So we recommend that you print or save this page to your computer now.

Double-click on the Hub Manager icon on your desktop or type bthomehub.home into the address bar of your web browser.

2. Change Hub Manager settings

Click 'Basic Config' and enter your Hub Manager password¹. Then:

  1. select 'Wireless', then select 'Use WPA-PSK Encryption'
  2. under 'WPA-PSK Encryption Key', type in a new ‘key’ of your choice. This can be any mixture of letters (upper or lower case, avoid dictionary words or names) or numbers, up to eight characters. Please don’t enter the default key that came with your Hub
  3. make a note of your new key and click ‘Apply’
  4. any devices already connected wirelessly to your Hub will be disconnected. To reconnect these, you’ll need to use the new key you’ve just chosen and change their security setting to WPA. Follow the instructions provided with the devices. You’ll probably need to locate the wireless connection settings, select your Hub from the list of devices in range, choose to connect to it and enter your new key when asked

If there's no 'Basic Config' menu, you’ll need to update your Hub’s firmware – please see www.bt.com/setup/hubfirmware

Or, if you’re using Safari, please use a different web browser.

Find out more

Take a tour of BT Yahoo! Online Protection and find out more about parental controls,
blocking pop-ups and more at www.bt.com/setup/yoptour

Need some help?

Go to www.bt.com/help/internetsecurity or call 0800 111 4567*.

¹If you’ve a Voyager router, the default username and password is ‘admin’. If you’ve a BT Home Hub with the latest firmware (6.2.6.E or above), the default username is ‘admin’ and the default password is your Hub's serial number (found on the label on the back or bottom of your Hub (marked S/N)). If you’ve a BT Home Hub with older firmware, the default username and password is 'admin'.

* Calls to 0800 numbers are free from UK landlines. Mobile costs may vary. See www.bt.com/pricing for details. All calls made to BT or from BT may be recorded to help us give you a better service.