| Running a business from home has its | | | | wireless network router to block anonymous |
| advantages, including no commute, a more | | | | internet requests or pings.On each computer |
| accommodating work schedule, fresh coffee and | | | | having a wireless network card, network |
| home-cooked meals at any time you want.But | | | | connection properties should be configured to |
| running a business from home using a home | | | | allow connection to Access Point Networks |
| wireless local area network (WLAN) with your | | | | Only. Computer to computer (peer to peer) |
| computer may lead to thievery of confidential | | | | connections should not be allowed.Enable MAC |
| information and hacker or virus penetration | | | | filtering. Deny connection to wireless |
| unless proper actions are taken. As WLANs | | | | network for unspecified MAC addresses. MAC or |
| send information back and forth over radio | | | | physical addresses are accessible through |
| waves, someone with the right type of | | | | your computer device wireless network |
| receiver in your immediate area could be | | | | connection setup and they are physically |
| picking up the transmission, thus acquiring | | | | written on network cards. When adding new |
| access to your computer.Here is a list of | | | | wireless cards / computer to the network, |
| things that you should consider as a result | | | | their MAC addresses should be registered with |
| of implementing a home wireless network setup | | | | the router /access point.Your home wireless |
| used your business:Viruses could be loaded | | | | network router should have firewall features |
| onto your laptop which could be transferred | | | | enabled and demilitarized zone (DMZ) feature |
| to the company's network when you go back to | | | | disabled. Periodically test your hardware |
| work.Up to 75 per cent of home wireless | | | | and personal firewalls using Shields Up test |
| network WLAN users do not have standard | | | | available at All computers should have a |
| security features installed, and 20 per cent | | | | properly configured personal firewall in |
| are left completely open as default | | | | addition to a hardware firewall.Update router |
| configurations and are not secured, but are | | | | access point firmware when new versions |
| made for the users to have their network up | | | | become available.Locate router/access points |
| and running ASAP.It is recommended that home | | | | away from strangers so they cannot reset the |
| wireless network router/access point system | | | | router/access point to default settings. |
| setups be always done though a wired | | | | Also, locate router/access points in the |
| client.Always change the default | | | | middle of the building rather than near |
| administrative password on your home wireless | | | | windows to limit signal coverage outside the |
| network router/access points to a secured | | | | building.You should know that nothing is |
| password.Enable at least 128-bit WEP | | | | 100%. While none of the actions suggested |
| encryption on both card and access point. | | | | above will provide full 100% protection, |
| Change your WEP keys periodically. If | | | | countermeasures do exist that will help. The |
| equipment does not support at least 128-bit | | | | good collection of suggested preventative |
| WEP encryption, consider replacing it. | | | | actions contained herein can help you deter |
| Although there are security issues with WEP, | | | | an intruder trying to access your home |
| it represents minimum level of security, and | | | | wireless network. This deterrant then makes |
| it should be enabled.Change the default SSID | | | | other insecure networks easier targets for |
| on your router/access point to a hard to | | | | the intruder to persue.Greg Lietz is an |
| guess name. Setup your computer device to | | | | internet business man, freelance writer and |
| connect to this SSID by default.Setup router | | | | computer enthusiast. His websites provide |
| access points so as to not broadcast the | | | | information on wireless internet networking |
| SSID. The same SSID needs to be setup on the | | | | and personal computer hardware that may be of |
| client side manually. This feature may not be | | | | interest to you. |
| available on all equipment.Setup your home | | | | |