Basic Home Wireless Network Security Tutorial:
Eight Steps to Secure WiFi Network
1. Change the Default Administrator Password:
Your first defense with any piece of electronics is the Administrator Password.
This should be changed with all your hardware and software.
Refer to the Ice 9 free wireless internet password generator for quick and easy wifi passwords.
2. Enable The Best Encryption: WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is obsolete, DON'T use it ever.
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is the most current encryption that can adequately hide your
password from prying eyes. This means only the intended recipient is supposed to be able to read it.
Use 128 or 256bit AES keys. Your bank uses 128bit AES to secure your on-line transactions.
There are ways around every security measure, the challenge is to assess your risk and build your
security around what you are trying to protect. Using WPA encryption will keep the casual hackers out of your systems.
3. Assemble a MAC filter: If you are a home user, this process should only take you a few minutes as you probably have only2 or 3 devices at home that are one WiFi.
Every network device comes with an industry standard Media Access Control address. This is a 12 digit code in hexadecimal that uniquely identifies your hardware.Follow the instructions in your router manual to build a list of devices that are allowed to participate in your network. NOTE: MAC filtering is a stopgap, it is an extra layer of security. This and many other methods serve to only slow down a dedicated hacker.
4. Only allow the traffic you need: Most modern routers come with build in firewalls. Firewalls are another line of defense.
Read your manual, configure your router to only use the services you need. Turn the rest of the services off.
5. Change your SSID (Service Set Identifier): This is the station idenfication for your router. If you bought a Netgear router, it will
broadcast the word Netgear. Someone that wants to hack your system will then look up the default user name and password and then
have access to your router.
It's just a router, right? From the router, he can dig the IP adresses and the names of the computers attached. He then can use your shared
folders to dump illicit material or get to work actually cracking your desktops or laptops. The effect cascades when the police show up at the
wrong house for a kiddie porn bust because they had the wrong I.P. address.
6. Disable SSID Broadcasting: You know the name of your SSID because you just changed it. Now you can just turn it off. This will help make you invisible
to most hackers.
7. Patch and Protect Your Systems: If you are running Windows XP or Vista, you need to get all the latest patches and protect your system.
Patching Windows is easy if you go the Microsoft Download Center .
The next step is using a firewall and antivirus. I recommend AVG Free for anti-virus software. It works great and the price is just right. If you
want to support them and get the professional edition, the price is only $34.99.
8. Back Up Your Computer: When everything goes to heck, what do you do? Download Mozy ! This service is $5 per month and will save your butt.
You download the little app and it starts backing up your data immediately. Data transfer is secured 128 bit encryption and you can add any folder you want to your backup.
If something happens and you have to say rebuild your entire computer, all you do is log into Mozy and download your documents, pictures, videos, etc.
CYA: The advice I just gave you is just advice. Its educational and here to guide you. In no way are we responisble for any damage occuring by attemping anything we just mentioned.