| Wireless networks, often abbreviated to "Wi-Fi", | | | | WPA2, WPA-PSK and WEP. Each method can only |
| allow PCs, laptops and other devices to "talk" to | | | | be used if all the equipment on the network has |
| each other using a short-range radio signal. | | | | the capability. As WPA2 is the most recent |
| However, to make a secure wireless network | | | | method of encryption, unless you have recently |
| you will have to make some changes to the way | | | | obtained the latest PCs, laptops & network |
| it works once it's switched on. | | | | device you probably will not be able to use it. |
| The signal of any short-range radio transmission | | | | WPA-PSK is the next best and is available on |
| can be picked up by any device in range that is | | | | most hardware. If you are using older access |
| tuned to the same frequency. This means that | | | | points and network cards, you may find that you |
| anyone with a wireless PC or laptop in range of | | | | can only use WEP. Each method requires a "key" |
| your wireless network may be able to connect to | | | | (a word or phrase used to make the encryption |
| it unless you take precautions. | | | | work). Make sure you use a word or phrase that |
| If this happens then your network and PC are | | | | would not be easily guessed. For example, don't |
| vulnerable to any or all of the following: | | | | use your address as the key. |
| Freeloaders - Most wireless networks are used to | | | | 2. Set up your network infrastructure as "access |
| share a broadband Internet connection. A | | | | point" and not "ad-hoc" or "peer to peer". These |
| "Freeloader" may connect to your network and | | | | last two (ad-hoc and peer-to-peer) mean that |
| use your broadband connection without your | | | | network devices such as PCs and laptops can |
| knowledge or permission. This could have an | | | | connect directly with each other without going |
| impact on your own use. You may notice your | | | | through an access point. You have more control |
| connection slows down as it shares the availability | | | | over how devices connect if you set the |
| of the Internet with more users. Many home | | | | infrastructure to "access point" and so will make |
| Internet services have limits to the amount of | | | | for a more secure wireless network. |
| data you can download per month - a | | | | 3. choose an obscure name for the network - |
| "Freeloader" could exceed this limit and you find | | | | This important tip to having a secure wireless |
| your Internet bill charged for the extra amounts | | | | network is probably not used by about 99% of |
| of data. More seriously, a "Freeloader" may use | | | | home users. The technical term for the name of |
| your Internet connection for some nuisance or | | | | the wireless network is "SSID". The default SSID |
| illegal activity. The Police may trace the Internet | | | | is usually the name and model of the wireless |
| connection used for such activity it would lead | | | | router or Internet provider e.g. NetgearDG834G |
| them straight back to you. | | | | or Sky9091. If you leave the SSID like this it |
| Eavesdropping - As information is transmitted an | | | | makes hacking very easy so change the SSID as |
| "eavesdropper" may connect to your wireless | | | | soon as you set up your network. Don't use your |
| network and view all the information as it passes | | | | address, house name or family name these are |
| by. This is entirely undetectable by the user as | | | | too easy to guess.4. Switch off the SSID |
| the "Eavesdropper" is only listening not | | | | broadcast. This tip goes hand in hand with No3 in |
| transmitting. Such sensitive information as bank | | | | creating a secure wireless network. This means |
| account details, credit card numbers, usernames | | | | that anyone wishing to connect to your wireless |
| and passwords may be recorded. | | | | network must know its SSID i.e. the name of the |
| Hacking - Even when the security features of a | | | | network. |
| wireless network have been switched on unless | | | | 5. Change the name and password of the |
| these features are set-up correctly then anyone | | | | administration user for the wireless router but |
| in range can hack in to the network. All home | | | | don't forget to make a note of what you change |
| wireless network routers have a standard | | | | it to. A secure wireless network will have an |
| username and password for the administration of | | | | admin user ID that is difficult to guess and a |
| the network. All a hacker has to do is go through | | | | strong password that uses letter and numbers. |
| the list of standard usernames and passwords | | | | 6. Unplug the wireless router whenever you are |
| until he gains access. A hacker may then use | | | | going to be away from home (or the office). It's |
| your network for any of the above or gain | | | | also a good idea to set the time that the network |
| access to your PC - your firewall may not | | | | can be used if the device allows it. For example, in |
| prevent him because, as he is connected to your | | | | an office you may not want to unplug the |
| network, he is within the trusted zone. | | | | wireless router at the end of every day so you |
| Most wireless network equipment, when it comes | | | | could set it to only allow connections between the |
| out of the box, is not protected against these | | | | hours of 7:30 AM and 7:30 PM. |
| threats by default. This means you have to | | | | 7. Use MAC filtering If your wireless router or |
| configure the network yourself to make it a | | | | access point allows it, MAC filtering easily adds |
| secure wireless network. | | | | one more layer to make your wireless network |
| How to secure a wireless network | | | | secure. Every network card (the device installed in |
| Although all wireless equipment marked as 802.11 | | | | PCs and laptops that connect it to a network) has |
| will have standard features such as encryption | | | | its own unique code, called a "MAC address". In |
| and access control each manufacturer has a | | | | Windows XP you can see the MAC address by |
| different way it is controlled or accessed. This | | | | right-clicking on the network connection, choose |
| means that the advice that follows may seem a | | | | "status" and then the "support" tab. In the support |
| bit technical because we can only tell you what | | | | window click on "details". The code labeled |
| you have to do not how to do it. You should read | | | | "physical address" is the MAC code for that |
| the manual or help files that came with your | | | | network connection device. Make sure it's the |
| equipment in order to see how to make a secure | | | | wireless network connection you select as the |
| wireless network. | | | | LAN connection will have a different MAC address. |
| 1. Use encryption. This is the bedrock of any | | | | Most wireless routers or access points allow you |
| secure wireless network and means that the data | | | | to list the MAC codes that you wish to use the |
| that passes over the wireless can only be | | | | network. This means that you must grant |
| decoded with the correct system of encryption | | | | permission to any PC or laptop that wants to |
| and the correct password. Currently there are | | | | connect to the network. |
| three methods of encryption for wireless | | | | If you can put all seven of these tips in operation |
| networks usually referred to by their acronyms: | | | | you will have a very secure wireless network. |