| Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk
| |
| | anti-virus software such as Norton or
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| product director, explains, "A home
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| | McAfee installed on your computer to
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| wireless network can be incredibly useful
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| | protect you from viruses that can open
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| and convenient but in a world where we
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| | your PC up to hackers. Make sure that
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| all have to be on the lookout against
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| | these are always kept up to date by
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| identity theft, viruses and online fraud,
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| | regularly checking for updates on the
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| it's vital that you secure your WiFi
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| | provider's website. You should also use a
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| signal."
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| | firewall - many routers have one built-in
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| Philips continues, "Dishonestly obtaining
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| | but you should run one on your PC too.
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| free Internet access is an offence under
| |
| | 4. Isolate your wireless signal
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| the Communications Act 2003 and a
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| | Wireless isolation works to make your
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| potential breach of the Computer Misuse
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| | signal invisible to anyone searching for
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| Act. Unfortunately this still doesn't
| |
| | WiFi in your area. It is built-in to some
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| deter some from piggybacking on someone
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| | routers but must be physically enabled by
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| else's wireless broadband connection."
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| | the user - so check your router's manual
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| BroadbandChoices.co.uk five top tips for
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| | for instructions on how to do this.
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| securing your wireless network:
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| | 5. Use an access list
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| 1. Am I secured?
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| | If you're still worried, you can create
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| If you haven't set up security passwords
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| | an access list. All computers have their
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| yourself then it's not likely that you
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| | own Media Access Control (MAC) address -
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| will be secured. To find out, simply go
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| | a way of identifying each individual
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| to 'My Network Places' on your PC and
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| | computer - and you can tell your router
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| scan for your wireless network. In the
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| | which MAC addresses it can allow access
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| list that appears, there should be a
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| | to; blocking all others. This means that
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| picture of a padlock next to the name of
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| | anyone wanting to use your wireless
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| your network. If there is no padlock,
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| | signal would not only have to have your
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| then you need some security.
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| | password but would have to be on the
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| 2. Use WPA
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| | access list too.
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| Most new routers now offer WiFi Protected
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| | About BroadbandChoices.co.uk:
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| Access (WPA) passwords as well as Wired
| |
| | BroadbandChoices.co.uk is a broadband
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| Equivalent Privacy (WEP). WPA offers
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| | comparison service in the UK. Unlike
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| increased security, and if your computer
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| | other comparison sites,
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| and other hardware is compatible, you
| |
| | BroadbandChoices.co.uk doesn't just focus
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| should always use WPA as it is far harder
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| | on price but total package value.
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| to hack into than previous encryption
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| | Consumers can now refer to this impartial
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| methods.
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| | Website to access the latest broadband
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| 3. Added security
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| | advice and deals, to help them make the
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| You should also always have comprehensive
| |
| | right choice.
|