How to secure your wireless network
People have more flexible time due to wireless networks. Thanks to the invention of wireless. People can now work from home while caring for their children or do domestic work. No more stress than traffic congestion anymore. Is that great?
Well, there's something you should realize. Working from home while using a wireless local network (WLAN) may steal sensitive information and infiltrate hackers or viruses unless appropriate action is taken. When you send WLAN information via radio waves, someone with a receiver in your area can pick up the transmission, thereby accessing your computer. They can upload viruses to your laptop which can be transferred to the company's network when you return to work.
Believe it or not! Up to 75 percent of WLAN users do not have standard security features installed, while 20 percent have been left completely open because virtual configurations are unsecured, but are designed for users to get their network up and running as quickly as possible. It is recommended that the wireless router/access point is always set up through a wired client.
You can set up your security by following these steps:
1. Change the default administrative password on the wireless router/secure password access point.
2. Enable at least 128-bit WEP encryption in both card and access points. Change your WEP keys periodically. If the equipment does not support at least 128-bit WEP encryption, consider replacing it. Although there are security issues with WEP, they represent minimal security and should be enabled.
3. Change the default SSID on your router/access point to a name that is hard to guess. Set up your computer to connect to SSID by default.
4. Setup router/access point for SSID non-broadcast. The same SSID should be prepared manually on the client side. This feature may not be available on all equipment.
5. Block anonymous Internet requests or voices. In each device with a wireless network card, network connection characteristics must be configured to allow connectivity to Access Point Networks Only. Computer connectivity should not be allowed (peer-to-peer).
Enable MAC filter. Refuse to link to the wireless network for unspecified MAC addresses. Mac or Physical addresses are available by setting up your computer network connection and are actually written on network cards. When adding new wireless cards/computers to the network, their MAC addresses must be registered with the routing/access point. The network router should have possible firewall features and a disarmed DMZ feature.
All computers should have a properly constituted personal firewall as well as a hardware firewall. You should also update the firmware for the router/access point when new versions are available. Locating the router/access point away from strangers is also helpful so they can't reset the router/access point to virtual settings. You can even try to locate the router/access point in the middle of the building instead of nearby windows to limit signal coverage outside the building.
There is no guarantee to protect your entire wireless network, but following these suggested tips can certainly reduce the risk of exposure to attackers aiming for unsafe networks.