Printing to an encrypted wireless network

Your computer “talks” to your wireless router in an encrypted code. Your printer must be set to this same code in order to work wirelessly.

All of your wireless devices, including wireless printers, connect to your computer through your wireless router.

When you encrypt your network, the information transmitted to and from your router is scrambled, making your network’s information unreadable to outsiders.

In order for your printer to “talk” with your router, it needs to have the same type of encryption and the same password as your router. This is the password that you first used when you created your wireless network.

Don’t use short, easily guessable text-based passwords. There are many online sites that can generate random passwords for you.

While both WPA and WPA2 are stronger than WEP, the strength of your encryption is directly linked to the length of your password or passphrase—the longer, the better.

There are many methods of encryption, though not all of them are secure. HP wireless printers support:

WEP (Wired Equivalency Privacy)
This basic level of encryption isn’t considered secure. Because some older wireless printers only support WEP, you may have to choose between lowering the level of security for your entire network to WEP, or connecting your printer using an Ethernet or USB cable.

You might also consider upgrading your printer so you can use a more secure encryption method. Find an HP wireless printer with WPA2 encryption. Remember, though, while using WEP is not encouraged, WEP encryption is better than no encryption.

• Create a WEP password: Make a case-sensitive password using 10-58 digits (use the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-F).

WPA and WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
Created in response to WEP’s weaknesses, WPA and WPA2 are the preferred methods of encryption. Most HP wireless printers support these methods.

• Create a WPA or WPA2 password or passphrase: Make a case-sensitive password using at least 13 characters, including upper- and lowercase letters, punctuation, and numbers.

Password vs. passphrase
A password is generally one grouping of letters, numbers, and/or punctuation without spaces. Example: p@ssw0rrd

A passphrase is a string of grouped letters, numbers, and/or punctuation (almost like a sentence), including spaces, longer than anyone could reasonably remember. Example: +hI$ 1s An 3xAmpLe 0F @ Ba$iC pa$sPhRa$3!

By including spaces, a passphrase is much harder to break than a password.

On a Mac, after clicking on AirPort, click on Advanced to see a list of your preferred networks.

The Preferred Networks window will list each available wireless network, as well as each network’s security setting.

To add a wireless printer to your network, you need to know which encryption method you are using (if any).

PC users:
In Windows 7, open Network and Sharing Center. Click on Manage Wireless Networks. Your networks will be listed, along with their security methods.

Mac users:
Open your computer’s System Preferences, and then open Network. Select AirPort, which is your local area wireless networking device. Click on the Advanced button. A list of your preferred networks will appear, with each available network’s security method displayed.

To change your encryption method
If your network is not encrypted—or to increase your encryption level to WPA or WPA2—you’ll need to access your router’s configuration page. To learn how, visit your router manufacturer’s webpage or reference the router’s user manual.

With all of the important personal information stored on your computer, it’s more important than ever to keep your computer secure. The wireless encryption available on HP printers let you stay connected without sacrificing security.

Securing your wireless network stops others from using it for illegal activity—activity you could be held responsible for.

In addition to encrypting your network, there are other ways to discourage other users from accessing your wireless network:

• Choose a unique network name. Your wireless router might have been shipped with a default network name. If you use those default settings, others can easily access your network. Be sure to secure it by setting it up with WPA or WPA2 encryption.
  
  
• Create a strong WPA passphrase. As mentioned above, this is a very important part of securing your network. For a strong passphrase:
• Make it case-sensitive by including uppercase and lowercase letters
• Use at least 13 characters
• Use punctuation and numbers
• Use spaces

Step-by-step wireless setup guides help you through the process of adding your printer to a wireless network.

It’s easy to connect your wireless printer using the one-touch wireless setup. It requires a router with an integrated push-button (circled in red) and Wi-Fi Protected Setup, such as the Linksys E1200 Wireless router.

HP wireless printers make it easy to connect to an encrypted wireless network. When adding a printer to your network, make sure you know your network’s name, encryption method, and wireless access password or passphrase.

If you can’t remember your network name or password, you can sometimes find them on the back or side of your wireless router. If you still can’t locate this information, see the documentation available with your computer or with the wireless router, or contact your network administrator.

When setting up your wireless printer, you have a variety methods to choose from:

• Wireless Setup Wizard: Ideal for those whose router has Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). This connection method is available on most newer wireless HP printers with a larger LCD or touchscreen display.



• One-touch wireless setup: Perfect for those with a push-button router. One-touch setup is available on many HP All-in-Ones, including:
  HP Officejet Pro 8600 e-All-in-One
  HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus e-All-in-One
  HP Officejet Pro 8600A Premium e-All-in-One Printer



• USB Cable Setup: This connection method, in which you temporarily connect your printer with a USB cable, works well if another method fails.

Visit the HP Wireless printer buying guide to see the entire selection of wireless HP printers and All-in-Ones with these setup options.

Once you’ve chosen a setup method, follow the directions provided. Each includes a step asking for your WEP/WPA password or passphrase.

Still have questions? Contact HP Support for assistance.