When we buy a wireless local area network
(WLAN) equipment, we become so excited of using it right away that we always
forgot one important element in the process - security. The widespread use of wireless networks also
means there are also a number of potential network threats lurking within range
of your home or office WLAN. Thus it really pays off to take a few couple of
minutes to configure the security features of your wireless router or access
point.
To help you make sure that no one can
take advantage of your system, here are the top five things you can do to
protect your wireless network:
Secure the router
or access point administration interface
All wireless routers and access points
come with a default administration password you need to change. Some
manufacturers’ uses “password” or their name as default password and some do
not have a password at all making you a very easy target to hackers. So as soon
as you set up your WLAN, change the default password immediately. Just be sure
to write down the new password for future reference as you will not be using
them very often.
Enable WPA
encryption instead of WEP
WEP or wired equivalent privacy
encryption has widely known weaknesses that make it relatively easy for
up-to-no-good users to crack the encryption and access your network. A better
way to secure your WLAN is to enable your Wi-Fi protected access (WPA) as your
password is not limited to 0-9 and A-F characters as with the WEP.
However, WEP is
better than nothing
If your device only supports WEP
encryption, this is not a reason to skip the encryption entirely because
despite of its flaws, WEP is still far superior to having no encryption at all!
Just be sure not to construct an easy-to-guess password like a series of
consecutive numbers or your full name.
If you can reset your encryption every week do so.
Try not broadcast
your SSID
Most WLAN routers and access points
automatically and continually broadcasts your SSID or service set identifier.
This makes you visible to all wireless network or system within range. Turning
off the SSID will make you invisible to your neighbors and passers-by.
Reduce your WLAN
transmitter power
Reducing your WLAN transmitter power
means reducing the range of your signal. Though, you cannot entirely fine-tune
your signal that it will not leak outside your home or office but limiting your
signal reach minimizes the opportunity for outsiders to access your WLAN. The
only downside is that this feature is only available to a handful of WLAN
routers or access point products.
If you need more information or better
yet a partner to help you install and protect your wireless system as well as
have someone to go to when bad turns to worst in your computing life, we at SUPPORTrix can be of great service to
you.
Call us at 1877 787 8749 to talk to one of our remote computer support professionals or know us
better at http://www.supportrix.com/
