WiFi-Wireless - WEP - WPA - WPA2

 

You may know the default out-of-the-box settings of most wireless routers are instantly breach-able.

 

Never assume Public WiFi is secure.  The best way to protect a public wireless link is by using a virtual private network, or VPN.

 

The first line of defense for your Wi-Fi network is encryption, which encodes the data transmitted between your PC and your wireless router.  Unfortunately, most routers ship with encryption turned off, and many users don't turn it on, leaving themselves completely exposed.  If you haven't already, enable your router's encryption, and use the strongest form supported by your network.  The Wireless Protected Access (WPA) protocol and more recent WPA2 have supplanted the older and less-secure Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP).

 

Go with WPA or WPA2 if at all possible, since WEP is relatively easy to crack. (You have to use the same form on all devices on your network; you can't mix WEP and WPA.)  The keys used by WPA and WPA2 change dynamically, which make them nearly impossible to hack.

 

Make sure you change the default network name and password on your router. Doing so will make it much more difficult for hackers to break into your router and commandeer its settings.

 

The firewall built into your router prevents hackers on the Internet from getting access to your PC.  But it does nothing to stop people in range of your Wi-Fi signal from getting onto your network..and with the latest high-performance equipment, your Wi-Fi signal could reach clear down the block. Without encryption and other protective measures, anyone can use readily available tools to see all your Wi-Fi traffic.

 

For extra protection, you should run software firewalls on the individual PCs on your network.  I recommend Norton's Internet Security - Free Security System Check and for Viruses

 

Passwords, Passwords, Passwords - I have over 100 usernames/ID's and passwords and it is difficult to track and maintain them.  I use Excel to keep track of web sites I have subscribed to, the username and password and password protect this file.  Do not name a file Passwords or other name that indicates it may store this form of data.

 

I use Norton Internet Security and Norton Password Manager as well.  And I run a network that is wired and WiFi capable.  Always use software designed to protect against keylogging, key stroke logging.

 

Toughen up your password by using symbols i.e. & or %, also a combination of letters and numbers of 14 characters or more.  Do not use your children's or pet names, a phone number, address, your nickname, bank card pin number, favorite TV show, etc.  Basically if you know something, so will someone else.  A suggestion would be an ingredient on a vitamin bottle or food product.  If you forget your password, hopefully you keep that bottle or food product.

 

Do not send passwords via e-mail unless you are absolutely sure both your system and recipient are on a secured encrypted system.

 

Need to know more about making your system secured, wish help setting up a network - click here