Top Tips to Secure your Wireless Signal

Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk productanti-virus software such as Norton or McAfee
director, explains, "A home wireless network caninstalled on your computer to protect you from
be incredibly useful and convenient but in a worldviruses that can open your PC up to hackers.
where we all have to be on the lookout againstMake sure that these are always kept up to date
identity theft, viruses and online fraud, it's vitalby regularly checking for updates on the
that you secure your WiFi signal."provider's website. You should also use a firewall -
Philips continues, "Dishonestly obtaining freemany routers have one built-in but you should run
Internet access is an offence under theone on your PC too.
Communications Act 2003 and a potential breach4. Isolate your wireless signal
of the Computer Misuse Act. Unfortunately thisWireless isolation works to make your signal
still doesn't deter some from piggybacking oninvisible to anyone searching for WiFi in your area.
someone else's wireless broadband connection."It is built-in to some routers but must be
BroadbandChoices.co.uk five top tips for securingphysically enabled by the user - so check your
your wireless network:router's manual for instructions on how to do this.
1. Am I secured?5. Use an access list
If you haven't set up security passwords yourselfIf you're still worried, you can create an access
then it's not likely that you will be secured. To findlist. All computers have their own Media Access
out, simply go to 'My Network Places' on your PCControl (MAC) address - a way of identifying each
and scan for your wireless network. In the listindividual computer - and you can tell your router
that appears, there should be a picture of awhich MAC addresses it can allow access to;
padlock next to the name of your network. Ifblocking all others. This means that anyone
there is no padlock, then you need some security.wanting to use your wireless signal would not only
2. Use WPAhave to have your password but would have to
Most new routers now offer WiFi Protectedbe on the access list too.
Access (WPA) passwords as well as WiredAbout BroadbandChoices.co.uk:
Equivalent Privacy (WEP). WPA offers increasedBroadbandChoices.co.uk is a broadband comparison
security, and if your computer and otherservice in the UK. Unlike other comparison sites,
hardware is compatible, you should always useBroadbandChoices.co.uk doesn't just focus on
WPA as it is far harder to hack into than previousprice but total package value. Consumers can now
encryption methods.refer to this impartial Website to access the
3. Added securitylatest broadband advice and deals, to help them
You should also always have comprehensivemake the right choice.