Have you ever used your neighbour’s wireless internet? Many wireless users rush to get their internet working as quickly as possible. If you have an unsecured wireless network, this leaves your internet open for any wireless enabled devices within range. Leaving your wireless open to the world can result in numerous security problems and a slower connection as you are now sharing it with someone else. They could be using your internet to watch or download movies or accessing your shared files on your computer. Internet providers will soon be billing their customers when they exceed their download and upload limits. Downloading could be anything from using Netflix, browsing the internet, downloading music or receiving emails. This could result in a higher bill than you have been accustomed to paying each month. Click here to read more from CBC on internet download limits: http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2011/01/31/technology-internet-usage-based-billing.html
Configuring today’s basic wireless networking products can be time-consuming and not as straight forward as you would like. With any business you want to make sure you are using the latest and most secure encryption. If you are setting up a home network you might not be as concerned about this, but should still have security set up.
Enabling your routers wireless encryption is one way to make it difficult for others to access your network. The exact steps may vary a bit, but will be found under security or admin for your specific router. To set this up you will have to go to the Login screen for your router. You must be plugged in or connected wirelessly to gain access. You will find the login information with your routers documentation. You will be prompted to enter a password. If you have not set up this password, it is easy to find by doing a basic Google search of the router model or seeing your instruction manual. Because it is easy to find, you should change it, otherwise it can be easy for anyone to access your router and change any settings. Once logged on, you will want to set up the encryption. You will have to choose your encryption settings from the following.
SSID Service Set Identifier- Is the name of a wireless local area network (WLAN). All wireless devices on a WLAN must employ the same SSID in order to communicate with each other. The default name is usually the name of your router and this should be changed while you are logged in so that it doesn’t identify the manufacturer of the device.
WEP Wireless Equivalency Privacy – A deprecated security algorithm for wireless networks. Intended to provide confidentiality comparable to that of a traditional wired network, but is susceptible to eavesdropping.
WPA and WPA2 Wi-Fi Protected Access – Is an advanced protocol designed to replace WEP because of WEPs security concerns. WPA2 is an improvement over WPA.
How does a person know which of these they can use? You can only use what your device supports. It will be listed on the device. WPA2 should be your first choice because it is currently the most secure method. Some older wireless routers do not support WPA2 and may only support WPA or WEP. If this is the case, a strong password (21 or more characters) with a WPA network can do very well against an attack. If your devices only support WEP, look for an update online or think about getting a device with WPA2 capabilities. WEP can be cracked within a couple minutes by any savvy person who knows how to use Google. So now that you’ve made your selection, you will be prompted for a password. This is the password that will allow others to access your network, while blocking out any unwanted visitors. Try not to use your phone or fax number as the password because these are a some of the most common passwords.
If you don’t want to worry about your wireless network security, Northern Computer would gladly help secure your personal or business network.
If you don’t want to worry about your wireless network security, Northern Computer would gladly help secure your personal or business network.
- Benjamin M, Network Support Technician
Northern Computer - Your Trusted Partner #1 - 495 Banks Road Kelowna, BC V1X 6A2
Phone: 250.762.7753 Fax: 250.861.1861 Toll-Free: 1.877.257.2896
Email: sales@northerncomputer.ca or service@northerncomputer.ca
Web: http://www.northerncomputer.ca/
0 comments:
Post a Comment