| 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 are |
| began setting it up I was shocked when I realized | | | | doing. You can usually choose between different |
| that my laptop had found and connected to my | | | | types of security, such as WEP, 802.1 or WPA. |
| neighbours wireless modem and I was able to | | | | There are different opinions as to, which is best, I |
| freely browse the internet and download data | | | | personally use WEP. If there is an 'enable WEP |
| using his modem and internet connection. If I | | | | wireless security' check box or similar you must |
| were a hacker it would not be difficult for me to | | | | check it. You will then need to make up a cipher |
| hack in to his computer using this connection to | | | | key using hexadecimal digits, which consist of |
| his network. | | | | random numbers from 1-9 and letters from A-F. I |
| The Shocking Truth | | | | recommend a minimum of 128 bit encryption |
| The shocking truth is that many wireless network | | | | which will need a 26 digit key. If you wish to use |
| users out there, and you could be one of them, | | | | 256 bit encryption your key will have to be 58 |
| are not securing their wireless modems at all. This | | | | digits long. Input this key into the form provided |
| is further confirmed by a television program I | | | | and make a note of it for setting up your other |
| saw in which a television presenter drove down a | | | | computers. As stated above you will now need to |
| street until he found a signal from an unsecured | | | | apply any changes made and restart your router. |
| wireless router being used in a nearby house. He | | | | 3. Configure Your Wireless Enabled Computers. |
| then hacked into this mans computer and | | | | After setting up the above encryption on your |
| recorded his entire Internet activity including | | | | wireless network you will then need to input your |
| websites visited, items purchase, holidays booked, | | | | new cipher key into each wireless computer that |
| passwords and even credit card details. When the | | | | you want to connect to the network. Your other |
| unsuspecting computer user was confronted with | | | | wireless enabled computers will search for any |
| the information gathered about him he was | | | | wireless network it can find and then ask if you |
| understandably upset. He had been sold the | | | | would like to connect. If you attempt to connect |
| modem with security software by a high street | | | | to a newly set-up encrypted network it will ask |
| store that had told him that this would provide | | | | you for the cipher key. Input the cipher key you |
| adequate security. They were wrong! | | | | made up in the previous section and click 'connect'. |
| How to Secure Your Wireless Network | | | | When doing this for the first time it may take a |
| Although every wireless router is different and will | | | | while for the new configuration to take effect so |
| have its own instructions these can sometimes be | | | | be patient before trying to use it. The next time |
| hard to follow, the steps below will help to guide | | | | you boot up your wireless computer it will |
| you through the process. | | | | connect automatically. |
| Set Up Your Modem Password. | | | | 4. Install Internet Security Software. |
| Every router can be set-up by using your | | | | Whether you have a wireless network or not, it is |
| browser to access it by typing in its IP address. | | | | essential nowadays to protect you computer by |
| This IP address can be found in your router | | | | using good quality internet securities software. |
| instructions and will be something like this: | | | | 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 password' page | | | | adequate protection and are a false economy. |
| where you can change it to your own secret | | | | Security software will also detect and block any |
| 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. |