| With recent news reports of offenders being | | | | |
| caught obtaining free Internet access by | | | | 3. Added security |
| piggybacking someone else's unsecured | | | | |
| wireless broadband connection, it's clear | | | | You should also always have comprehensive |
| consumers need to take action now to secure | | | | anti-virus software such as Norton or McAfee |
| their WiFi signal. | | | | installed on your computer to protect you |
| | | | from viruses that can open your PC up to |
| Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk | | | | hackers. Make sure that these are always kept |
| product director, explains, "A home wireless | | | | up to date by regularly checking for updates |
| network can be incredibly useful and | | | | on the provider's website. You should also |
| convenient but in a world where we all have | | | | use a firewall - many routers have one |
| to be on the lookout against identity theft, | | | | built-in but you should run one on your PC |
| viruses and online fraud, it's vital that you | | | | too. |
| secure your WiFi signal." | | | | |
| | | | 4. Isolate your wireless signal |
| Philips continues, "Dishonestly obtaining | | | | |
| free Internet access is an offence under the | | | | Wireless isolation works to make your signal |
| Communications Act 2003 and a potential | | | | invisible to anyone searching for WiFi in |
| breach of the Computer Misuse Act. | | | | your area. It is built-in to some routers but |
| Unfortunately this still doesn't deter some | | | | must be physically enabled by the user - so |
| from piggybacking on someone else's wireless | | | | check your router's manual for instructions |
| broadband connection." | | | | on how to do this. |
| | | | |
| BroadbandChoices.co.uk five top tips for | | | | 5. Use an access list |
| securing your wireless network: | | | | |
| | | | If you're still worried, you can create an |
| 1. Am I secured? | | | | access list. All computers have their own |
| | | | Media Access Control (MAC) address - a way of |
| If you haven't set up security passwords | | | | identifying each individual computer - and |
| yourself then it's not likely that you will | | | | you can tell your router which MAC addresses |
| be secured. To find out, simply go to 'My | | | | it can allow access to; blocking all others. |
| Network Places' on your PC and scan for your | | | | This means that anyone wanting to use your |
| wireless network. In the list that appears, | | | | wireless signal would not only have to have |
| there should be a picture of a padlock next | | | | your password but would have to be on the |
| to the name of your network. If there is no | | | | access list too. |
| padlock, then you need some security. | | | | |
| | | | About BroadbandChoices.co.uk: |
| 2. Use WPA | | | | |
| | | | BroadbandChoices.co.uk is a broadband |
| Most new routers now offer WiFi Protected | | | | comparison service in the UK. Unlike other |
| Access (WPA) passwords as well as Wired | | | | comparison sites, BroadbandChoices.co.uk |
| Equivalent Privacy (WEP). WPA offers | | | | doesn't just focus on price but total package |
| increased security, and if your computer and | | | | value. Consumers can now refer to this |
| other hardware is compatible, you should | | | | impartial Website to access the latest |
| always use WPA as it is far harder to hack | | | | broadband advice and deals, to help them make |
| into than previous encryption methods. | | | | the right choice. |