| If you're reading this article, then you probably | | | | only be read by computers with the correct |
| just got a new laptop with wireless capabilities. Or | | | | conversion-key for that format. |
| perhaps you just set up a wireless network in | | | | 4. Change Your Administrator Password. In order |
| your home or office and want to know how your | | | | to do the things I mentioned above, you need to |
| laptop can connect to it easily. | | | | log on to your wireless access point/router. At |
| Here's what you need to know: | | | | the factory, it was given a default password. |
| For the purposes of this article, I'm going to | | | | These passwords are widely known and can be |
| assume some basic things about your equipment | | | | used to gain unauthorized access to your |
| and layout. If your home network looks a bit | | | | network. Be sure to change your administrator |
| different, you'll still be able to make things work, | | | | password. |
| but it may not be quite as simple and | | | | 5. Use File Sharing with Caution. Sometimes all you |
| straightforward. | | | | want to do with your wireless network is share |
| Hardware | | | | an internet connection with others. If that is the |
| Most home and small office systems will have a | | | | case, you may not have file sharing turned on. |
| cable/DSL modem. Plugged into that will be your | | | | But if your network is set up to help you access |
| wireless access point or router. Your model may | | | | files and folders on other computers, you'll need |
| have a few wired network ports as well as the | | | | to have "file sharing" turned on. The downside to |
| wireless antenna. In addition all this, you have all | | | | this is that it makes it easier for outsiders to steal |
| your computers -- some of which may be | | | | information from you. To stop them, you may |
| connected by wires and some of which are | | | | want to consider creating a dedicated directory |
| wireless. | | | | for file sharing, and move or copy files to that |
| Network Security | | | | directory for sharing. Then you should |
| One of the first things you'll want to do is | | | | password-protect that directory and the files in it. |
| increase the security of your network. There are | | | | Note: Never open an entire hard drive for file |
| a number of things you can, and should, do to | | | | sharing! |
| accomplish this goal. | | | | 6. Keep Your Access Point Software Up to Date. |
| 1. Make Your Wireless Network "Invisible" As a | | | | From time to time, the manufacturer of your |
| convenience, wireless access points "announce" | | | | wireless access point/router will release updates |
| their presence to nearby wireless-enabled | | | | to the software (or patches to repair bugs). Be |
| computers. This is called "identifier broadcasting." It | | | | sure to check the manufacturer's web site |
| is turned on by default, purely as a convenience. | | | | regularly for any updates or patches for your |
| For example, it is nice if you are in a hotel or | | | | device's software. |
| coffee shop -- it makes it easy for your laptop to | | | | Convenience |
| find their network and use it quickly. However, | | | | Once you've taken care of the security issues, |
| when the network is in your home or office, you | | | | the rest is relatively easy. |
| don't want everyone nearby (e.g., outside or next | | | | After you set the SSID on your access point |
| door) to know you're there. So consult your | | | | router, you may want to add it (and any other |
| access point's user manual for instructions on how | | | | wireless networks you use) to your preferred |
| to disable identifier broadcasting. | | | | network list if Windows XP Wireless Auto |
| 2. Rename Your Wireless Network. The wireless | | | | Configuration is enabled. Follow these steps: |
| network access point/router will be configured | | | | 1. In Control Panel, click Network and Internet |
| with a name, or "service set identifier" (SSID). | | | | Connections, and then click Network Connections. |
| The wireless manufacturer sets this up at the | | | | 2. Right-click the Wireless Network Connection, |
| factory; it is a case-sensitive name that uniquely | | | | and then click Properties. |
| identifies the network. You'll want to change that | | | | 3. On the Wireless Networks tab, click Add. |
| name because intruders can scan a neighborhood | | | | 4. In the Wireless network properties dialog box, |
| using the default name to find your network. In | | | | enter the SSID you configured for your wireless |
| other words, until you change your SSID, you | | | | access point/router. |
| might be giving an intruder a head-start on | | | | 5. Fill in the rest of the fields, including the |
| hacking into your network from out on the street | | | | necessary authentication and encryption |
| somewhere. Consult your manual and change that | | | | information based on the configuration of your |
| name. Choose a name that won't be easily | | | | wireless access point/router. |
| guessed by others. | | | | 6. Click OK and your home network will be added |
| 3. Encrypt Your Network Traffic. Your wireless | | | | to the list of preferred networks. |
| access point/router should allow you to scramble, | | | | Now, your laptop should automatically see the |
| or encrypt, data moving between the device and | | | | desired wireless network and connect to it. |
| your computers. By encrypting your wireless | | | | Enjoy! |
| traffic, you are changing it to a format that can | | | | |