Tip #4379 - More on Wireless Security
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More
on Wireless Security
Having a wireless
network (also known as WiFi) is a great way to have networking and
Internet connectivity anywhere in your home. Just hook up a wireless
router and once and for all, you can be done with all of those dreadful
cords! But, along with that router comes a greater security risk.
Since you're able to connect to the Internet anywhere around your
house, others can get in on your wireless network as well. Well, today,
I have a few tips that will help ensure that only authorized systems
can connect to your wireless network. Here we go!
First, if you've
never looked at your wireless router's set up utility, I recommend
you pull out your router's manual and learn all about it. Every router
is a little different, but the following tips will work on most of
them.
Tip #1
– Turn On Your Wireless Security
This is usually
known as encryption and it is the very least you should do to secure
your wireless network. There are several types of encryption methods
that can be used on a wireless network. Inside your router's set up
utility, you will be given a choice. The most common ones are WPA-TKIP
or WEP. Either of those types will have you set up a password for
your wireless access. Make sure you write that password down or at
least the string of letters and numbers provided for you. Once you
save the settings, log back in to your wireless network. You will
then be asked to enter the password you just created. With the encryption
turned on, only the people who have that password will be able to
gain access to your wireless connection.
Tip #2
– Turn Off the SSID Broadcast
Your router sends
out the name of your wireless network for other computers to find.
In a way, it's very convenient to be able to pick your network from
a list, but that's not always the safest way to go. If someone is
looking to connect to a wireless network, they can only connect to
the ones they see. Since your router is sending out the name, anyone
is able to see it. But, if you turn the SSID broadcast off, your network
will not show up on the list of available wireless networks. Doing
that will make your network very secure, but make sure you know the
name of your network before you do this. After turning the SSID broadcast
off, you will have to manually enter the name of your network on your
computer in order to connect to it.
Tip #3
– Filter Your MAC Addresses
Each computer
has its own unique ID number built into it. That is called the MAC
address. If you know the MAC addresses of the computers on your network,
you can tell your router to only allow a connection with those certain
ones. That way, no other systems will be able to connect to you, because
they are not on the list.
If you put these
three security tips into play, no one will be able to get into your
wireless network. Until next time, stay safe out there, my friends!
~ Gary
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