| Now, it is so common to own a home wireless | | | | than WEP. If your home wireless network |
| network. It is so convenience and beautiful. With a | | | | provides WPA encryption, use it. |
| wireless home networking done, you can connect | | | | 4. Enable MAC Address filter |
| multiple computers together without any wiring | | | | Each network device has a unique MAC address. |
| lying around the house. You can subscribe to one | | | | Routers can track all the MAC address that it is |
| internet service provider and the whole family can | | | | connected to. You can take a look at the MAC |
| share it. Not with one computer but more than | | | | address at the router setup page and physical |
| one computer. All computers can surf the internet | | | | network device. Almost all network device or |
| or share information with one another without | | | | notebook computer that is Wi-Fi enable has a |
| any connection of wires. You can save money by | | | | MAC address printed onto the device or |
| subscribing to only one internet service provider | | | | computer. Look at the numbers that is the same |
| and save trouble by lying any cables around the | | | | in the router setup page. Enable only your |
| house. So wonderful and simple. | | | | network device or any that you wanted the |
| But, being convenience can have its disadvantages | | | | router to connect to. This prevents others from |
| too. Actually quite dangerous. Imagine, a stranger | | | | using your router network. |
| who is siting near your house, detected your | | | | 4. Disable SSID broadcast |
| wireless home network and log on into your | | | | The router usually broadcast its SSID name out. |
| wireless home network. Now, the stranger can | | | | So, if your computer searches a network, you will |
| use free internet access, or maybe free | | | | see the SSID names of the router. Showing this |
| information from your computer. The stranger | | | | tells people that the router is switched out and in |
| with enough knowledge and tools can actually | | | | use. You do not want others to know that you |
| access to any computer that are log on to the | | | | are having a wireless network router from your |
| network. He can even block your computer from | | | | home. So, disable the broadcast so that others |
| the network! Now, that's bad. You cannot use | | | | may not be able to see your router is switched |
| your own wireless network!!?? | | | | on. Preferably after disabling SSID broadcast, |
| So, protection and security of your home wireless | | | | change your SSID name. Remember the new |
| network is vital. It is so very very important. | | | | name so that you need to key in the SSID name |
| Fortunately, it is not a rocket science thing to do. | | | | for your computer to connect to. |
| It is quite simple. | | | | 5. Disable Auto-connect to other network |
| There are some simple steps that you can do to | | | | Your computer may be detecting available |
| protect your wireless home network (802.11a/b/g | | | | networks and trying to connect it automatically. |
| n Wi-Fi equipment). | | | | Although this is convenience but it is not a good |
| 1. Change default administrator password | | | | practice. You may accidentally connected to a |
| Every wireless home network, there is a access | | | | hacker network, and you data is at risk. So, take |
| point or router. The equipment that your internet | | | | control of which network that your computer is |
| line is connected. To set up the router, | | | | supposed to be connected to. Manual select or |
| manufacturers provides you a web page. The | | | | key in the SSID to the network that you wanted |
| manufacturer will provide you a web address | | | | to connect to. |
| number to key in, normally "192.168.1.1". It will | | | | 7. Enable Firewall |
| show the equipment setup page. There, you can | | | | Most router provides the function of firewall. |
| key in your password. The manufacturer will | | | | Enable the firewall provided by the router. It |
| provide you the default password for the | | | | creates an additional line of defense by restricting |
| equipment. Change the password immediately, on | | | | unnecessary traffic. |
| the first time that you use it. If you are using a | | | | 8. Position your router |
| wireless network now and have not change it. | | | | Your router sends out signals to your computer. |
| Change it now. You do not want any stranger to | | | | These signals will travel in and out of your house. |
| change your wireless network setting making it | | | | It is therefore easy for others to detect and use |
| useless to you. | | | | the signal. Try to position it in the middle of the |
| 2. Change the Default SSID | | | | house so that the signal will be stronger in the |
| All network router equipment have a SSID | | | | house, where you use the computer, and weaker |
| (Service Set Identifier). It is a name for the | | | | out of the house. |
| router. All network router equipment have one, so | | | | 9. Switch off your router during if it is not used |
| the equipment is shipped with a default SSID | | | | for extended period of time |
| name. It is easy for others to know the | | | | Shutting down the router will prevent others from |
| equipment default name. Furthermore, you want | | | | using and detect your wireless home network. |
| to know that you are using your own network | | | | While it may be impractical to switch on and off |
| equipment, no any other strangers network. So, | | | | every time you use. But, when you are out for |
| change it to a unique name that you know. | | | | more than a day, it make sense to switch it off. |
| 3. Enable (compatible) WPA / WEP Encryption | | | | You save electricity and prevent others from |
| All wireless network equipments supports a | | | | using your network. |
| certain kind of encryption. Encryption allows data | | | | 10. Update your software |
| to be scrambled before sending out to the | | | | Always keep your software updated. Software |
| receiver. The computer which receives the | | | | that function to protect your computer must be |
| information must know the way to unscramble | | | | updated regularly. Example anti-virus, |
| the data to make it useful. You must use the | | | | anti-spyware, firewall, your operating system (MS |
| strongest encryption technology that your | | | | Windows, Mac OS, Linux etc). |
| equipment allows. WPA is a stronger encryption | | | | |