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