| Connecting your home and office computers with a | | | | create one more line of defense. Read the manual for |
| wireless network sure makes things convenient ...BUT | | | | your hardware and learn how to configure your router |
| the very feature that makes them so popular is also | | | | to only allow incoming or outgoing traffic that you have |
| their biggest weakness! Anyone with the knowledge | | | | approved. |
| can intercept your signal and gain access to your | | | | 5. Change the Default Administrator Password: This is |
| network if it is not secure. The technicians at offer the | | | | just good practice for ALL hardware and software. |
| following six easy steps to wireless security for your | | | | The default passwords are easily obtained and |
| home or office. | | | | because so many people don't bother to take the |
| 1. Change the System ID: Devices come with a default | | | | simple step of changing them they are usually what |
| system ID called the SSID (Service Set Identifier) or | | | | hackers try first. Make sure you change the default |
| ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier). It is easy for a | | | | password on your wireless router / access point to |
| hacker to find out what the default identifier is for each | | | | something that is not easily guessed like your last |
| manufacturer of wireless equipment so you need to | | | | name. |
| change this to something else. Use something unique- | | | | 6. Patch and Protect Your PC's: As a last line of |
| not your name or something easily guessed. | | | | defense you should have personal firewall software |
| 2. Disable Identifier Broadcasting: Announcing that you | | | | such as Zone Alarm Pro and anti-virus software |
| have a wireless connection to the world is an invitation | | | | installed on your computer. As important as installing |
| for hackers. You already know you have one so you | | | | the anti-virus software, you must keep it up to date. |
| don't need to broadcast it. Check the manual for your | | | | New viruses are discovered daily and anti-virus |
| hardware and figure out how to disable broadcasting. | | | | software vendors generally release updates at least |
| 3. Enable WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy): WEP | | | | once a week. You also must keep up to date with |
| encrypts your data so that only the intended recipient | | | | patches for known security vulnerabilities. For |
| is supposed to be able to read it. As with all security | | | | Microsoft operating systems you can use Windows |
| measures there are ways around it, but by using | | | | Update to try and help keep your computer current |
| encryption you will keep the novice hackers out of | | | | with patches. |
| your systems. It is best to use 128bit rather than 40bit | | | | Following these steps will insure that hackers and |
| encryption (it is exponentially harder to crack). | | | | hitchhikers don't surf on your wireless network, or |
| 4. Restrict Unnecessary Traffic: Many wired and | | | | more importantly, these steps help block unwanted |
| wireless routers have built-in firewalls. They are not the | | | | access into your computer network, and your valuable |
| most technically advanced firewalls, but they help | | | | data. |