Methods and apparatus for establishing secure wireless links between a handset and a base station in cordless telephone systems are described. A method of generating a secure wireless link between a handset and a base station includes initiating a linking procedure, generating a security code, displaying the security code at the base station, entering the security code into the handset and then establishing a radio frequency link between the handset and the base station utilizing the security code. A cordless telephone system capable of generating a secure wireless link includes both a handset and a base station. The handset includes a control circuit, a transmitter and a receiver coupled to the control circuit along with a keypad also coupled to the control circuit. The base station includes a control circuit, a code generation circuit coupled to the control circuit, a display coupled to the control circuit for displaying a code generated by the code generation circuit, and a transmitter and receiver coupled to the control circuit.