| Wireless networks using
802.11 have made it simple to connect multiple
devices to your home network.This can also
make your data availiable anywhere, even
outside your home.To set this up all you
need is a broadband connection connected
to a wireless router or a WAP Wireless Access
Point. Your home computers should have wireless
access cards installed or if your using
a laptop a PCMCIA wireless card. Intel Centrino
is great for wireless, I personally use
it. I like the fact that I did not have
to purchase additional hardware.
When you set up your wireless router or
WAP your signal is broadcast. This broadcast
usually goes further than your home or business.
People like to drive around finding unsecured
wireless access points. This is known as
Wardriving, some hackers even mark spots
on the sidewalk to let other hackers know
your home or business is offering free Internet
service, or worse yet access to your data.This
is not to scare you but make you aware.
Diasble broadcasting so people cannot you
your wireless network.
Your routers come with pre-configured system
ID's its called a SSID or Service Set Identifier,
its very simple to locate this information
on the Internet for default SSID's I recommend
changing this to something hard to guess.
Use alphanumeric's to make it even harder
to guess.
Use encryption to protect your network.
WEP or Wireless Encryption Protocol is not
secure, I have cracked my own network with
a Linux machine running Kismet. WEP's keylength
is only 40 bits, once you collect enough
data from packets its only a matter of time
for a determined cracker.Instead use WPA
which is WI-Fi protected access. This is
more secure.
Configure your router to block incoming
outgoing traffic you do not use. Consider
blocking Port 23 Telnet and Even FTP.
Router manafacturers have default passwords
which I find many home users do not change.
CHANGE THEM!
Invest in a software firewall and keep
your system up to date. In the month of
October 2005 there have been several security
flaws listed by Microsoft. Keep Informed.
Benjamin Hargis CEO
Phuture Networks
Website http://www.phuturenetworks.com
Free Computer Secuirty Advice !!
http://www.computersecurityadvice.com
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