Wireless routers are extremely common these days because of the convenience and flexibility they provide. For the most part a wireless router allows you to connect pretty much anywhere within range without wires. The wireless capable routers are being provided by Internet providers and many times wireless is enabled by default. If you are lucky the WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is set so it is more difficult for someone to access your network and steal bandwidth. But, this is about the extent of security that is set by default and WEP has been proven to be easy to crack. Just Google "cracking wep" and you will see several results showing how to crack WEP secured networks.
It isn't enough that it is made simple by the Internet provider to access the wireless network. Wireless Network Interface Cards (NIC) are now standard in most laptops and the operating system will automatically detect a wireless network. Then, walk you through setup process. In essence you could be completely computer illiterate and get onto an unsecured wireless network and possibly be unaware.
There are simple three things you can do to your wireless network to help make it more secure and difficult for people to hijack.
Encryption
Encryption does not allow people immediate access to your network and also keeps data from being sent from computer to router (or vice versa) unencrypted. WEP is very weak, but better than nothing. WPA2 is more secure.
Hide the Service Set IDentifier (SSID)
Hiding the SSID makes it so WAR drivers or neighbors can't just see your network ID by doing a simple network search. Along with hiding the SSID, make it something that is difficult for someone to guess. Preferably something random and completely unrelated to you or your family.
Limiting Access To Specific Media Access Control (MAC) Addresses
Set your router to accept only MAC addresses associated with the computers you want to access your network. This helps keep someone that cracked your encryption and guessed your SSID off your network because the MAC address of the NIC does not match any you have set into the list of acceptable MACs on your wireless network.
These three things can go a long way to keeping your home wireless network secure and not visible to possible hijackers. Keep in mind, that wireless is not all that secure and even with applying the few steps it can take someone who knows what they are doing to hi-jack your wireless network and steal your data in an unencrypted state in less than an hour. So, if you have sensitive proprietary information it is advisable to use software to better encrypt your information before it gets sent across the network.
For step-by-step instructions on how to set and manage these settings please check out WebTechTorial.
Michael Zaun - www.webtechtorial.com
