| It seems that more and more home users are | | | | don't want your laptop connecting to your |
| going with wireless networks rather than the | | | | neighbor's network and sending info. |
| tradition wired networks with wires hanging | | | | |
| everywhere and running wild around the house | | | | It's also a good idea that you install |
| and in the crawlspace. What seems like a good | | | | firewalls on all devices that connect to the |
| idea quickly turns into a nightmare if you | | | | wireless network. Even if the wireless router |
| don't vamp up the security of your wireless | | | | is firewalled, it's important to also install |
| network. | | | | firewalls on all computers that are connected |
| | | | to the wifi network. It's important that |
| Speed is of the essence. Typically, one thing | | | | these firewalls be set up correctly and block |
| matters to new users of wireless, getting | | | | any intrusions that may compromise your wifi |
| connected and browsing that first website. | | | | network. |
| While wireless connectivity can accomplish | | | | |
| this, it's best to set up your wireless | | | | Position your wireless router close to the |
| connection securely before venturing out into | | | | center of your home. Although the reach of |
| cyberspace. Below are some tips to help | | | | wifi networks can vary greatly, it's |
| secure your wireless network. | | | | important to not allow the signal to float |
| | | | around great distances from the main access |
| Change the default admin password. Admin | | | | point. It virtually impossible to stop all |
| passwords are easily figured out by attackers | | | | leakage from exiting your home. But |
| when they are left as the default. Not | | | | minimizing the risk to your wifi network will |
| changing your wireless admin password opens | | | | help to protect it. |
| your network to attack and can lead to many | | | | |
| problems depending on the attacker's agenda. | | | | Another good idea for wifi network security |
| | | | is to not allow broadcast of the SSID. Your |
| Another wireless security measure you will | | | | router may have SSID broadcasting set up by |
| need to take is turning on encryption. | | | | default; however you should be able to change |
| Enabling WEP encryption on your wireless | | | | this setting in the configuration. This |
| network will help you protect your privacy | | | | feature is only useful for mobile |
| and all your info won't be floating around | | | | environments, and is not needed in home wifi |
| outside your home waiting to be picked up by | | | | networks. |
| a passerby. It's important to remember that | | | | |
| all your devices on the wireless network will | | | | These are just a few tips to securing your |
| need to have the same encryption. So find the | | | | wifi network. It's always a good idea to |
| strongest encryption possible that will work | | | | check for firmware updates to your router as |
| on all devices of the wireless network. | | | | new exploits and vulnerabilities arise. Some |
| | | | routers will have an auto update feature and |
| Stop the auto-connect feature. Do not allow | | | | it's important to use it. Using auto update |
| your devices to auto-connect. Allowing | | | | will help keep your wifi network secure |
| auto-connect may connect to a network that | | | | without the need of remembering to check for |
| you don't particularly want. Example, you | | | | updates. |