subject: Keeping Your Wireless Network Safe [print this page] With the discovery and invention or computers and the World Wide Web, there comes a great need for personal network security. Anyone has access to the internet, including those trying to find ways to hack your system. You will need to take precautions with your security measures in order to avoid unnecessary hardships.
There are many things you can do to secure your computers, but there are also things you can do to your wireless network to help as well. You will need to set up a unique username and password. You should also enable any encryption and filtering programs that are provided to you. You may also be able to decrease your wireless signal.
Setting up a username and password for your wireless router is easy and effective. Do not keep the default password that it comes with as most hackers can guess this fairly easily. Even changing the user name is important. Make sure it does not give any important information out like your last name.
Your SSID is your wireless network that shows up when others search for signals. This SSID can be disabled so that it will not show up for other people. While this may not seem important, it does get rid of a lot of hassle associated with others trying to get into your network.
WPA stands for Wi-fi Protected Access. This is an encryption set up automatically on your router that protects it. Make sure you enable the WPA encryption if it is possible. The old encryption was called WEP and limited the kind of passwords you could have making it easier to hack into.
If you cannot enable WPA, make sure the WEP is still up and running. When you get a chance, make the upgrade to the stronger WPA encryption as it will provide better security. You can never have enough security when it comes to the internet.
You should also use MAC filtering. This is an address specific to the network adaptor or computer. If there is more than one system on the network, you will have to set up a MAC address will need to be set up for each one. This will take extra time, but adds yet another line of security to your wireless network.
Your wireless signal can reach quite a distance making it visible to many people. Some routers come with the ability to limit this signal range. If yours has this benefit, make sure to decrease the signal so it reaches only where you want it to reach.
These steps will really increase the security on your wireless network. Take advantage of the security measure already provided with your routers. Don't cut yourself short with network security or you will regret it.
