| Nowadays, every American home is equipped with a | | | | abandoned and ignored. If wireless networks are left |
| television, a radio, a digital camera, one or more cell | | | | without any security, then you are also inviting identity |
| phones, and at least one or two computers. It is | | | | thieves to take a peek into your account. Would you |
| commonplace today to find one home with multiple | | | | let other people see your personal information? Of |
| computers-one or more desktops and laptops-as | | | | course not! But that is what you are implying when you |
| these devices get cheaper and more accessible. Since | | | | leave your wireless networks unsecured. |
| internet can be shared between various computers | | | | What Do You Need to Do? |
| with the help of a router, more and more homes are | | | | If you have a wireless network in your home, here are |
| going wireless. | | | | some things that you need to do to protect yourself |
| These wireless networks in most American homes | | | | from identity fraud. |
| enable multiple computers to connect to the internet in | | | | 1. Get a network security program. You need to |
| an easier and more affordable way. However, these | | | | constantly monitor your network and see if there are |
| wireless home networks have also opened the doors | | | | any devices connected that you are not aware of. |
| to identity theft. Not many people realize that while | | | | Unauthorized access to your wireless networks can |
| wireless networks at home are too cool to be of any | | | | be very dangerous. |
| inconvenience, it may actually be one of the most | | | | 2. Secure your wireless network. The first step in |
| dangerous things that you have ever done. It's like a | | | | securing your wireless network is to enable WEP |
| nightmare or a premonition waiting to happen if you do | | | | WPA encryption. This can be done using your |
| not set it up properly. For this reason, it is important that | | | | browser's configuration setting. If you are not sure how |
| you secure your wireless networks. Here are some | | | | to do it, call technical support or read your user manual. |
| more things that you need to know about wireless | | | | After you have turned on your encryption, disable |
| home networks. | | | | SSID broadcasting. Your SSID is your network name. |
| The status of your network security determines the | | | | When you turn it off, any wi-fi capable devices within |
| status of your information | | | | your range will not be able to detect your network. |
| Oftentimes, wireless home networks are set up by | | | | This will hide your network from 'sniffers' who may |
| individual homeowners by calling technical support or | | | | cause potential harm to your network. |
| relying on user manuals. However, as these services | | | | You don't have to be computer savvy to protect your |
| are bounded by handling times and other statistics, | | | | home wireless networks from id theft. All you need is |
| they are often on the hurry to hang up. The owner of | | | | the ability to follow directions and the determination to |
| the wireless home networks is then left to install | | | | minimize the risk of id fraud. You don't have to be a |
| everything on their own which leaves wireless security | | | | victim. |