| Although it is relatively easy for SOHO (Small | | | | is not a secure method of protecting your |
| Office/Home Office) and home users to set up | | | | network, it does mean your WLAN is not so |
| their own Wireless networks, the default settings | | | | openly available to intrusion. |
| on a WAP (Wireless Access Point) usually come | | | | 3. Configure WPA or WPA2 |
| with no security configured. | | | | To authorize access to your Wireless network |
| As a result, if you leave these settings as they | | | | you should choose a security setting of WPA-PSK |
| are, then this WLAN (Wireless Local Area | | | | (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key) or |
| Network) you are creating can leave you open to | | | | better yet WPA2-PSK if available. |
| hackers who want to compromise your computer | | | | Although Windows XP supports both of these |
| and/or steal information from it. | | | | security methods, you still need a wireless |
| As a result it is essential that you take the | | | | adapter that supports WPA as well. |
| necessary steps to secure your Wireless | | | | NOTE: WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is the |
| network. | | | | earlier attempt to secure wireless connections and |
| Why do you need wireless security? | | | | it is not secure enough. If this is all your WPA has |
| In a traditional wired network you need to have | | | | to offer then you should either upgrade the |
| physical access to the network. You either need | | | | firmware on it, if this will then give you WPA, or |
| access to a cable that is already connected to the | | | | purchase a newer device. |
| LAN, or be able to attach a cable to say a patch | | | | You also need to choose a password for |
| panel or switch port that will create a new | | | | WPA-PSK. Like your SSID, this too needs to be |
| physical connection for you. | | | | complicated and so not easy to guess. |
| With a wireless network, however, you have a | | | | 4. Restrict access based on MAC authentication |
| radio signal that permeates the very air around | | | | Your wireless network adapter has a physical |
| us. Because of the broadcast nature of WLANs, it | | | | address called a MAC (Media Access Control) |
| is far easier to access this sort of network, | | | | address. You can take advantage of this by |
| especially when the signal is usually powerful | | | | configuring your WAP to only allow access to |
| enough to emanate outside of a building and so | | | | those MAC addresses you want to give access |
| potentially provide network access to those | | | | to your network and so restrict which computers |
| outside. | | | | can get connected. |
| Another benefit of a cabled network is that the | | | | Although a MAC address can still be spoofed, this |
| transfer of data between computers remains | | | | is yet another obstacle to deter the casual |
| within the wires themselves. Contrast this with a | | | | hacker. |
| Wireless network, in which the data is now easier | | | | 5. Change the administrator account/password |
| to intercept and/or corrupt. | | | | Your WAP will come with a standard administrator |
| As a result you need to secure your wireless | | | | account and password. So anyone who has |
| network in the following ways: | | | | bought the same device will know what these are. |
| - Request user authentication to prevent | | | | Change the password to one that is not easy to |
| unauthorized access to your network. | | | | guess and if possible change the name of the |
| - Use data privacy to protect the integrity and | | | | administrator account as well. |
| privacy of the data being transmitted. | | | | Summary |
| How do you secure your Wireless network? | | | | A Wireless network is a great way to get |
| 1. Change the SSID | | | | Internet access without having to lay down |
| When you configure your WAP change the | | | | cabling, but out of the box these are completely |
| default SSID (Service Set IDentifier). Do not pick | | | | insecure. |
| something that easily identifies you, like your | | | | With the threat of hackers, viruses and spyware |
| name, street address, etc. Instead pick something | | | | unlikely to go away you must secure your |
| complicated that is difficult to guess and is made | | | | Wireless network if you want to keep your |
| up of a mixture of letters and numbers e.g. | | | | computer and the data on it safe. |
| m6jvUm9mHuQfA4h5tgCH | | | | Follow the 5 recommendations above and you |
| 2. Disable SSID broadcasting | | | | can enjoy being able to surf the Internet in |
| In addition, make sure your WAP is not | | | | safety. |
| configured to broadcast your SSID. Although this | | | | |