Wireless networks are prevalent in work and at home, and are potentially more insecure than the connected systems. But they can be safe with a few simple steps.

For the vast majority of people who have Internet access, whether at work or at home, most have at some point or considered becoming wireless, or have done so. Why?

Well, it's much more convenient, and since the set-up is virtually free of wire, is usually tidier (especially at home). Router Wireless allows more than one PC or laptop to share the network and, of course, to share the Internet with ease and efficiency - and depends on your particular set-up, should give access to your network from virtually anywhere within its range. But that's the problem: security.

We all need to have an acceptable security, what with identity theft becoming abundant, worms and Trojan horses to steal our data, malware and spyware infecting our systems and open doors for cybercriminals. We even protect us from those closest to us - ex-employees, for example, with a grudge to bear and looking for a way to explore our systems and cause suffering as much as possible.

Here are some tips to help protect your environment wireless network, both at home and office. Following this advice may well help to keep the undesirables out and the data securely locked in

Encrypt your network

Most, if not all, wireless routers and access points have encryption capability provided with them. The problem is that they are usually sent with the option disabled by default. There are a number of ways to encrypt your wireless equipment. One of the best methods (without the use of extremely expensive equipment) is to use Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). It comes bundled with most routers and Windows XP Service Pack 2 is included.
WPA uses Temporal Key Integrity Protocol to protect the network, making it much more difficult to crack - has 128-bit encryption, automatically changes the key used for each packet sent, and each transmitted packet has a unique number 48-bit serial. None of this makes much difference to the User Experience, but in so far as security goes, is essential. WPA is much better than using Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) because WEP can be easily cut in a few moments. If your wireless uses WEP security, update it as soon as possible to WPA.

Rename, and then broadcasting SSID

Service Set Identifier (SSID), simply put, is the name of your wireless device station base. By default, it is transmitted so that any PC within range can identify the wireless network is alive and available for connection. The problem is that if you can see it, so can everyone else within reach. First, rename the SSID (the default is usually the name of the manufacturer or the type of equipment). Once this is done, the best policy is to connect their computers and then broadcasting SSID. As you already know what the SSID is, you will be able to find it again. It's much harder for someone to cut something that they can not see.

Change the administrative password

Most router manufacturers will provide a default User Name and password (usually written underneath the equipment) to allow access to the control panel. This is where you can set up the equipment as you need. One of the first things to do when you have access to the control panel of the router is to change the password. Save it, log off and log back in using the credentials again.

This control panel sets up all your wireless network - in the wrong hands, you could be in a lot of stress and boredom.

Limit access rights

Most wireless routers allow you to designate which computers have access and those who do not have - just using MAC address filtering. This means that you can configure a list of devices that are allowed to connect to your router. It's a bit like giving a porter a guest list - if your name is not on the list are not allowed inside This is not completely foolproof - there are ways around getting to the list - but like most of the safety tips, if it means more work, often a hacker will move to a target easier, less secure.

Add a good anti-virus and anti-spyware solution to the mix and you have a good all-round, secure wireless network to your home and / or business.

Jason Lydford MCP SBS MCNPS
Director | Computer Rescue Ltd
http://www.computerrescueltd.co.uk

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