| There is no doubt that wireless technology has | | | | will not really add much in the way of security, |
| evolved the way we communicate. With the | | | | but it is additional security nonetheless. Hackers |
| popular 2.4 GHz frequency being unlicensed and | | | | love easy targets, so every layer of security you |
| inexpensive, people all around the world have | | | | add makes it more difficult for them to break in, |
| been able to do things that were nothing short of | | | | and thus acts as a deterrent. That being said, use |
| impossible in the past. While this may be the case, | | | | the following security measures on your personal |
| the same also applies to hackers; wireless | | | | AP: |
| technologies have allowed them to not only | | | | 1.)Â Hide your SSID broadcast. Your SSID |
| penetrate the impenetrable, but also break into | | | | is simply the name of your AP. Without it, |
| personal networks with blazing speed (as in | | | | hackers will not know the difference between |
| minutes and even seconds if the wireless | | | | your AP and other ones in the vicinity. |
| network's access point [AP] is completely | | | | 2.)Â Change the name of your SSID. This |
| unsecure). | | | | may not sound like much but, the name can tell a |
| So what can happen if someone breaks into your | | | | hacker a lot about your AP. Using the default |
| network? Well for starters, it acts as a gateway | | | | name probably means you are also using the |
| for hackers to break into your system. On top of | | | | default password, which can easily be found on |
| that, they can install sniffers (which allow them to | | | | the internet. |
| steal such things as passwords and other | | | | 3.)Â Use MAC address filtering. A MAC |
| sensitive information), adware, spyware, trojans, | | | | address is simply an address burned into each |
| viruses, worms, backdoors, rootkits, and other | | | | wireless card. Using this filtering means that only |
| malware as well as pursue wireless jamming | | | | the entered MAC addresses can access your AP. |
| attacks, encryption attacks, DoS attacks, and | | | | 4.)Â Enable Encryption. Use the WPA or |
| other various attacks. In short, given enough time, | | | | WPA2 (if available) security mode as well as the |
| the sky is the limit on what a hacker could do | | | | AES algorithm. This makes it way more |
| when they get inside your AP. | | | | troublesome for hackers to eavesdrop your |
| At this point, many may say to themselves "Well, | | | | communications. |
| I have nothing of value on my computer, so I | | | | 5.)Â Use both hardware and software |
| don't care if they hack into it". This couldn't be | | | | firewalls. Chances are there is a firewall embedded |
| any farther from the truth. If hackers | | | | right in your AP, so make sure it is enabled as |
| compromise your computer, they'll turn it into | | | | well as firewalls on the networked computers. |
| something called a "zombie" (in other words, their | | | | 6.)Â Keep learning about new wireless |
| slave), which will do anything the hacker wants it | | | | security threats. Technology keeps |
| to. This could be anything from helping crack (or | | | | evolving, so it is in your best interest to research |
| decipher) passwords, to breaking into websites, to | | | | computer protection articles and other related |
| even breaking into other computers. | | | | news sources. |
| Here's the kicker: if the hacker uses your | | | | 7.)Â Invest in computer security |
| computer to break into something and gets | | | | tools. While it is important to use layered |
| caught, guess who faces the consequences? Well, | | | | security on your AP, it is even more important to |
| it was your computer that did the attacking, so it | | | | do the same for your computer in case the |
| will be your fault, no matter if you knew about | | | | hacker breaks through. |
| the attack or not. Whether it leads to fines or | | | | When it comes to wireless networks, deterrence |
| even jail time, you are stuck with a mess trying | | | | can be one of the most powerful things working |
| to prove that you are innocent, all while the | | | | for you, providing you implement a Defense in |
| hacker carries on with his life and pursues more | | | | Depth methodology like described above. With the |
| targets. | | | | large amount of weak and insecure AP's that are |
| Knowing about the consequences that can come | | | | live today, layered security will play a vital role in |
| from insecure AP's, there are many things you | | | | whether or not outsiders try to break into your |
| can do to prevent outsiders from trying to break | | | | wireless network. In the end, taking the time to |
| in. Ideally, you'll use a "Defense in Depth" | | | | secure your AP now could be the difference of |
| methodology, which means setting up multiple | | | | legal repercussions or identity theft down the |
| layers of security to try and deter hackers from | | | | road. |
| breaking in. Now, some of these things discussed | | | | |