Network security

Network security

1. wireless networks are less secure than cable ones. If you do not secure your wireless network then anyone within range can access it.

2. The importance of security

   • When you connect to your own wireless network you will probably see all of the others within range in a pop up like this one. Just as you can see other people's networks, they can see yours and, if it is not secure, they will be able to use your internet connection-at your cost. Even if you trust your neighbours there are websites which publish the location of unsecured 'hot spots' so that people can get internet access without paying.

3. Ways of securing wireless networks

   • Changing the default admin password on the router.
   • Setting up a form of encryption
   • Setting up media access control (MAC) address filtering.
   • Hiding the router by stopping the router broadcasting its service set identifier (SSID)
   • Turning off the router when it is not in use
   • Reducing transmitter power

4. Protection

   • Encryption scrambles data so that only computers with the right key can read it. The commonest form of protection for wireless networks is WEP, but WPA-PSK and WPA2 are more secure and are becoming more popular
   • Each device in your network has a MAC address. You can specify which addresses can connect to your wireless network
   • Remember that a firewall or physically locking the door will not prevent people accessing a non-secure wireless network.