| Running a business from home has its | | | | home wireless network router to block |
| advantages, including no commute, a more | | | | anonymous internet requests or pings.On each |
| accommodating work schedule, fresh coffee and | | | | computer having a wireless network card, |
| home-cooked meals at any time you want.But | | | | network connection properties should be |
| running a business from home using a home | | | | configured to allow connection to Access Point |
| wireless local area network (WLAN) with your | | | | Networks Only. Computer to computer (peer to |
| computer may lead to thievery of confidential | | | | peer) connections should not be allowed.Enable |
| information and hacker or virus penetration unless | | | | MAC filtering. Deny connection to wireless |
| proper actions are taken. As WLANs send | | | | network for unspecified MAC addresses. MAC or |
| information back and forth over radio waves, | | | | physical addresses are accessible through your |
| someone with the right type of receiver in your | | | | computer device wireless network connection |
| immediate area could be picking up the | | | | setup and they are physically written on network |
| transmission, thus acquiring access to your | | | | cards. When adding new wireless cards / |
| computer.Here is a list of things that you should | | | | computer to the network, their MAC addresses |
| consider as a result of implementing a home | | | | should be registered with the router /access |
| wireless network setup used your | | | | point.Your home wireless network router should |
| business:Viruses could be loaded onto your laptop | | | | have firewall features enabled and demilitarized |
| which could be transferred to the company's | | | | zone (DMZ) feature disabled. Periodically test your |
| network when you go back to work.Up to 75 per | | | | hardware and personal firewalls using Shields Up |
| cent of home wireless network WLAN users do | | | | test available at All computers should have a |
| not have standard security features installed, and | | | | properly configured personal firewall in addition to |
| 20 per cent are left completely open as default | | | | a hardware firewall.Update router/access point |
| configurations and are not secured, but are made | | | | firmware when new versions become |
| for the users to have their network up and | | | | available.Locate router/access points away from |
| running ASAP.It is recommended that home | | | | strangers so they cannot reset the router/access |
| wireless network router/access point system | | | | point to default settings. Also, locate router |
| setups be always done though a wired | | | | access points in the middle of the building rather |
| client.Always change the default administrative | | | | than near windows to limit signal coverage outside |
| password on your home wireless network router | | | | the building.You should know that nothing is 100%. |
| access points to a secured password.Enable at | | | | While none of the actions suggested above will |
| least 128-bit WEP encryption on both card and | | | | provide full 100% protection, countermeasures do |
| access point. Change your WEP keys periodically. | | | | exist that will help. The good collection of |
| If equipment does not support at least 128-bit | | | | suggested preventative actions contained herein |
| WEP encryption, consider replacing it. Although | | | | can help you deter an intruder trying to access |
| there are security issues with WEP, it represents | | | | your home wireless network. This deterrant then |
| minimum level of security, and it should be | | | | makes other insecure networks easier targets for |
| enabled.Change the default SSID on your router | | | | the intruder to persue.Greg Lietz is an internet |
| access point to a hard to guess name. Setup | | | | business man, freelance writer and computer |
| your computer device to connect to this SSID by | | | | enthusiast. His websites provide information on |
| default.Setup router/access points so as to not | | | | wireless internet networking and personal |
| broadcast the SSID. The same SSID needs to be | | | | computer hardware that may be of interest to |
| setup on the client side manually. This feature | | | | you. |
| may not be available on all equipment.Setup your | | | | |