4 Tips To Keep Your Wireless Network Safe
Photo by tiseb
I’ve been using wireless broadband connection for a few years and sometimes I would click on the “view available networks” option to discover many unsecured wireless network being detected. Anybody looking for free bandwidth can just tap into these unsecured networks can do so without breaking a sweat and easily utilize it for malicious or illegal activity.
This is a disconcerting trend and I cannot understand why people choose not to secure their wireless networks which range usually extends beyond our homes into a street or a neighboring property. Do they love WiFi so much that they want to share their wireless love all around?
While it is an offence to tap into a wireless network without authorization, owners should put the onus on themselves to take preventive steps to secure their networks from exposing to security risks.
Here I share 4 simple steps of how I secure my wireless network:
1. Chang default settings
The default login user name and password for accessing the router’s web-based configuration menu is commonly set as “admin” and “password” respectively. Make sure to change these default settings the first time you login.
The default name for the router’s service set identifier or SSID usually corresponds to the brand of the router – e.g. “linksys”, “dlink” or “default”. Leaving the factory-set SSID unchanged makes it a more attractive target for would-be hackers. Again, make sure to change the default SSID.
2. Stay invisible
Most (if not all) routers have the option to turn off broadcasting of the SSID. Hackers with “sniffing” software will still be able to sniff out your network but it would at least remain invisible to neighbors and casual passer-by.
3. Set up encryption
Open or unencrypted networks are like houses with wide-open doors. Unencrypted networks are susceptible to snooping – anybody within range can access into.
It is prudent to set up encryption on your wireless network. The newer standards WPA2 and WPA are better secured than WEP which skilled hackers can broke into. Even so, setting up at least WEP is better than no encryption as anyone looking for a free “ride” is likely to choose an open network over encrypted ones.
4. Turn off router when not in use
Switching off the router is the ultimate way to keep out intruders, you can save on electricity costs too. You’ve just got to flick that switch.
The above 4 steps have served to protect my wireless network well so far. Do you take preventive measures to protect your wireless network? How effective or ineffective are the measures you’ve taken?
These are some good suggestions…I also like to use MAC Filtering to authorize only certain machines access as well (yes it’s easy to spoof a mac address, but at least it’s one more hurdle that someone would have to jump through).
Another thing to consider if you have multiple IP addresses from your ISP is to set up an unsecured router on one of them that you don’t normally use. Most people will use an unsecured open one versus trying to get into one that is secured. These people can then use this one and will be less inclined to get into your secured one and gain access to your local network and personal files.
Hi Nick
Thanks for sharing your wifi security tips.
It’s surprising more people don’t take the time to secure their wireless connections. At both work and home, I have neighbors with open networks. If I didn’t have my own Internet connections, I could easily hop on theirs.
And, if their wireless isn’t secure, you have to wonder if they are being lax on security measures for their computers and data too.
I tend to think that the general home users do not secure their wifi, computers and data not because they are lazy but more because they lack the basic know-hows.