Following are the some of the steps you can take for securing your internet connection from the hackers. I tried some of this on different modems having different software setup.
For setting up, open internet explorer, type your modem’s ip address. (Generally 192.168.1.1) . If you not sure about the ip number, open your computer’s network connection properties.Then, Inernet protocol(TCP/IP) properties. The default gateway number is your modem’s ip address.
1. Change your modem or router administration password immediately. Make modem administration password long and strong (At least 10-15 chars with a healthy mix of uppercase & lowercase letters, numbers, special characters, etc.)
2. Change your broadband password as well. Change broadband password on a regular basis.
3. Change the private LAN IP of wireless router from default (192.168.1.1) to something else such as 78.104.82.1. (Always keep the last digit as '1')
4. Disable remote configuration feature of your modem. If possible, make modem access control from one fixed IP Address.
5. Disable DHCP server option of the modem, which disables automatic IP address generating for connected computers.
6. You can disable SSID broadcast. (Disabling hides wan network from the active scans)
7. Important for WAN: Set the options in WAN or WIRELESS SECURITY setup in your modem as follows;
Network authentication method: WPA-PSK or OPEN
WEP Encryption: Enabled
Data encryption: AES method (if available)
Specify a network key (WEP key) to authenticate wireless network with a random alpha-numeric pass-phrase. Prepare different keys for permanent users and for guests.
Wep Key Generator site address: http://www.andrewscompanies.com/tools/wep.asp
8. After setting all these, save and reboot your modem.