| A couple of months ago I purchased my first | | | | Most of the settings in these pages should be left |
| wireless enabled laptop. As I switched it on and | | | | as they are if you don’t know what you |
| began setting it up I was shocked when I realized | | | | are doing. You can usually choose between |
| that my laptop had found and connected to my | | | | different types of security, such as WEP, 802.1 or |
| neighbours wireless modem and I was able to | | | | WPA. There are different opinions as to, which is |
| freely browse the internet and download data | | | | best, I personally use WEP. If there is an |
| using his modem and internet connection. If I | | | | ‘enable WEP wireless security’ check |
| were a hacker it would not be difficult for me to | | | | box or similar you must check it. You will then |
| hack in to his computer using this connection to | | | | need to make up a cipher key using hexadecimal |
| his network. | | | | digits, which consist of random numbers from 1-9 |
| The Shocking Truth | | | | and letters from A-F. I recommend a minimum of |
| The shocking truth is that many wireless network | | | | 128 bit encryption which will need a 26 digit key. If |
| users out there, and you could be one of them, | | | | you wish to use 256 bit encryption your key will |
| are not securing their wireless modems at all. This | | | | have to be 58 digits long. Input this key into the |
| is further confirmed by a television program I | | | | form provided and make a note of it for setting |
| saw in which a television presenter drove down a | | | | up your other computers. As stated above you |
| street until he found a signal from an unsecured | | | | will now need to apply any changes made and |
| wireless router being used in a nearby house. He | | | | restart your router. |
| then hacked into this mans computer and | | | | 3. Configure Your Wireless Enabled Computers |
| recorded his entire Internet activity including | | | | After setting up the above encryption on your |
| websites visited, items purchase, holidays booked, | | | | wireless network you will then need to input your |
| passwords and even credit card details. When the | | | | new cipher key into each wireless computer that |
| unsuspecting computer user was confronted with | | | | you want to connect to the network. Your other |
| the information gathered about him he was | | | | wireless enabled computers will search for any |
| understandably upset. He had been sold the | | | | wireless network it can find and then ask if you |
| modem with security software by a high street | | | | would like to connect. If you attempt to connect |
| store that had told him that this would provide | | | | to a newly set-up encrypted network it will ask |
| adequate security. They were wrong! | | | | you for the cipher key. Input the cipher key you |
| How to Secure Your Wireless Network | | | | made up in the previous section and click |
| Although every wireless router is different and will | | | | ‘connect‘. When doing this for the |
| have its own instructions these can sometimes be | | | | first time it may take a while for the new |
| hard to follow, the steps below will help to guide | | | | configuration to take effect so be patient before |
| you through the process. | | | | trying to use it. The next time you boot up your |
| Set Up Your Modem Password | | | | wireless computer it will connect automatically. |
| Every router can be set-up by using your | | | | 4. Install Internet Security Software |
| browser to access it by typing in its IP address. | | | | Whether you have a wireless network or not, it is |
| This IP address can be found in your router | | | | essential nowadays to protect you computer by |
| instructions and will be something like this: | | | | using good quality internet securities software. |
| [ | | | | Purchasing this from a reputable security |
| When you have input this address into your | | | | company is recommended to ensure that your |
| browser and pressed enter you will be taken to a | | | | software is kept up to date with the most recent |
| login page where you must input the user name | | | | virus signatures. If you are not up to date, an |
| password. By default the router will have a | | | | unrecognised virus will not be stopped by the |
| generic password which you will also find in your | | | | software. It is not advisable to use a free |
| instructions. Login using the default details and | | | | anti-virus service as these do not provide |
| then navigate to the ‘change | | | | adequate protection and are a false economy. |
| password’ page where you can change it | | | | Security software will also detect and block any |
| to your own secret password. | | | | attempt to hack into your computer via the |
| If you do not do this, a hacker could gain access | | | | internet or local network. Recommended internet |
| using the generic password. After any changes | | | | security software companies are - Norton, |
| have been made you must apply the changes and | | | | McAfee and others. |
| restart your router. Your instructions will tell you | | | | Conclusion |
| how to do this. | | | | In short then, following the above procedures will |
| 2. Configure Your Router for Data Encryption | | | | make it very difficult for the would be hacker to |
| Login to your router as outlined above and | | | | use your wireless network to gain access to your |
| browse to the security page where you can | | | | computer. I also strongly advise you to read your |
| set-up your security type and input a cipher key. | | | | wireless router manual thoroughly. |