Wireless Security Basics

Wireless networks using 802.11 have made itsystem ID's its called a SSID or Service Set
simple to connect multiple devices to your homeIdentifier, its very simple to locate this information
network.This can also make your data availiableon the Internet for default SSID's I recommend
anywhere, even outside your home.To set this upchanging this to something hard to guess.
all you need is a broadband connection connectedUse alphanumeric's to make it even harder to
to a wireless router or a WAP Wireless Accessguess.Use encryption to protect your network.
Point. Your home computers should have wirelessWEP or Wireless Encryption Protocol is not
access cards installed or if your using a laptop asecure, I have cracked my own network with a
PCMCIA wireless card. Intel Centrino is great forLinux machine running Kismet. WEP's keylength is
wireless, I personally use it. I like the fact that Ionly 40 bits, once you collect enough data from
did not have to purchase additionalpackets its only a matter of time for a
hardware.When you set up your wireless routerdetermined cracker.Instead use WPA which is
or WAP your signal is broadcast. This broadcastWI-Fi protected access. This is more
usually goes further than your home or business.secure.Configure your router to block incoming
People like to drive around finding unsecuredoutgoing traffic you do not use. Consider blocking
wireless access points. This is known asPort 23 Telnet and Even FTP.Router
Wardriving, some hackers even mark spots onmanafacturers have default passwords which I
the sidewalk to let other hackers know yourfind many home users do not change. CHANGE
home or business is offering free Internet service,THEM!Invest in a software firewall and keep your
or worse yet access to your data.This is not tosystem up to date. In the month of October
scare you but make you aware.Diasble2005 there have been several
broadcasting so people cannot you your wirelesssecurity flaws listed by Microsoft. Keep Informed.
network.Your routers come with pre-configured