| The convenience of connecting two or more | | | | 128 bit encryption. It also includes additional |
| computer in your home or office has increased, | | | | encryption using the Initialization Vector (IV), |
| especially with the cost of home or small office | | | | which is a series of random bits added in front of |
| kits decreasing. Unfortunately there are people | | | | a message before it is encrypted. 64-bit |
| out there who want to use your wireless Internet | | | | encryption is easier to hack into than 128 bit. You |
| for free or use it to hack into your computer. | | | | may need to update the firmware on your |
| There are now many websites devoted to | | | | wireless device to be able to use 128-bit |
| 'Wardriving', which involves people searching for | | | | encryption. |
| exposed wireless networks and sharing this | | | | By using encryption, if the wireless device and |
| information via websites of via their social | | | | computer do not contain the encryption key, then |
| network. | | | | no exchange of data will take place. Enabling |
| If you have set up your wireless network straight | | | | 128-bit encryption will discourage people not |
| from the box and have not changed any of the | | | | permitted to access your network and make |
| default settings, then there is a huge chance that | | | | your network more secure. The casual hacker will |
| you are supplying somebody else free Internet | | | | normally move onto an easier target if they find |
| access or being hacked into. A wireless network | | | | encryption is enabled. |
| will never be as secure as a cabled network. By | | | | 4. Turn off DHCP |
| following the seven steps below then you will | | | | Most wireless devices have Dynamic Host Control |
| stand a much better chance of protecting your | | | | Protocol [DHCP] enabled. This allows a new host |
| home network. | | | | on your network to introduce itself and request |
| 1. Change The Admin Password | | | | an IP address so it can then connect and use |
| The default password for most wireless kits is | | | | your wireless connection. All very convenient for |
| ADMIN. If you haven't changed this password | | | | a legitimate user, but for an trespasser onto your |
| then change it as soon as you can. It is surprising | | | | wireless network, that's like putting a 'come steal |
| the amount of wireless networks that are hacked | | | | from me sign' outside your open and unlocked |
| into or accessed by a third party because the | | | | front door. |
| ADMIN password is still ADMIN. Especially as | | | | While it may be a pin to the legitimate user to |
| manufacturers manuals can be downloaded from | | | | your wireless network, it's a necessary one due |
| the Internet with their admin password. | | | | to the amount of damage that can be done if left |
| 2. Disable or Change the SSID | | | | turned on. By using static IP addresses you will |
| The Service Set Identifier [SSID] is a code that | | | | create another hurdle for the unwanted prowler |
| wireless hardware sends out to identify itself to | | | | wanting to steal your bandwidth and probably |
| other devices. By default the SSID is normally the | | | | more. |
| manufacturer's name. The SSID is only required | | | | 5. Enable MAC Address Filtering |
| when devices are first synchronizing with each | | | | Each computer network adaptor has a unique |
| other, so the best option is to disable the SSID | | | | address built in called the MAC address. Most |
| broadcast once your network connection is | | | | wireless devices allow MAC address filtering. By |
| established. | | | | creating a MAC address list of permitted network |
| By disabling SSID broadcast you will make it much | | | | adaptors [that are attached to a computer], you |
| harder for an intruder because they will have to | | | | are creating a guest-list so to speak. If a |
| start guessing the SSID code. Most wireless | | | | computer with a MAC address on the list, they |
| gateway devices offer the option to disable SSID | | | | will not be permitted to access the wireless |
| broadcast, however some may require a | | | | network. |
| firmware upgrade, and some devices do not | | | | Mac addresses can be spoofed by a very |
| offer that option at all. | | | | technical minded knowledgeable individual, however |
| If you cannot change the SSID or do not want to | | | | by using MAC address filtering you will deter all |
| disable it, then the SSID should be changed to a | | | | but the most determined hacker. |
| unique phrase that is hard to guess. Using | | | | If you are unsure about how to proceed with any |
| non-dictionary words as well as numbers and | | | | of the above please read the manual that came |
| special characters for the new SSID will make it | | | | with your wireless hardware. There normally is a |
| much more for your wireless network to be | | | | wizard or step-by-step walk through that will help |
| accessed by hackers. | | | | you. |
| 3. Use 128-bit WEP Encryption | | | | I hope the five above tips will come in handy and |
| Wireless Equivalent Privacy [WEP] is the security | | | | enable you to use your wireless network without |
| standard and offers the option of either 64 or | | | | the threat of an unwanted intruder. |