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