Wireless network (wi-fi, wlan or 802.11) is getting more popular, unfold your laptop search for wlan in a residential area you can find few of them. But how much do you know about wireless network? Improper configuration of wireless network can cause your computers within network open to malicious attack, and even cause legal issue. This article provide you general information about wireless network security.
What’s wrong with unsecured network? is it dangerous?
Leaving your wireless network unsecured means any wlan device can connect to your network freely. Any device that are connected to your network are able to access all computer in your network, if you share any files and folder they will able to access too. Most of the time people will just connect to your network and use your internet access. But people with malicious intent can infiltrate into your network. They can steal your data, install virus or spyware into your computer, sabotage your access point and worst of all commit cyber crime through your internet access. Also beware of unsecured wireless network you can find, because computers connect to an unsecured wireless network communicate with wireless access point in CLEAR TEXT. People with network sniffer are able to look through what are you sending and receiving, including passwords.
It’s it safe to use public hotspot / wi-fi?
Connecting to public hotspot/wi-fi also connect your computer to other computer within that network. Therefore all your shared files may visible to them. Windows Vista have network profile feature that let you choose network profile every time you connect to a new network. Choose PUBLIC when you connect to public hotspot. Also enable Windows update to patch up security hole to prevent attacks from same network.
How to secure my wireless network? What is WEP and WPA?
To secure your wireless network, you will need to configure your wireless router/access point. To configure your
Security settings
network, you open your internet browser and type in the IP address of your wireless router/access point, you can find the IP through the manual or on the device (does not apply if you changed your device’s IP), another way is open your network connection status and look for the gateway IP. The gateway IP is your router IP (Does not apply to access point). Then you will need to enter your device user and password. (Default password can be found in user manual or online).
After type in the correct IP and account information, you will then enter the device configuration web page. Find the wireless section, then security section to configure wireless security settings.
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is the most basic wireless network security protocol. Supported by most devices, but it’s consider insecure for today, because there’s a known way to crack and obtain the password easily.
WPA (Wi- Fi Protected Access) and WPA2, is wi-fi standard to improve over WEP. WPA is more secure than WEP, and it’s considered enough security for most scenario.WPA2 is the follow on security method to WPA for wireless networks that provides stronger data protection and network access control. It provides enterprise and consumer Wi-Fi users with a high level of assurance that only authorized users can access their wireless networks. Based on the IEEE 802.11i standard, WPA2 provides government grade security by implementing the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) FIPS 140-2 compliant AES encryption algorithm and 802.1x-based authentication. This is the BEST security protocol, but some device doesn’t support WPA2 or even WPA. (Hand held game console and old laptop)
So what should I do with the wireless security settings? Which one I should choose?
Choose the security mode to highest your device support, If all your wlan device support WPA2 then select WPA2, Otherwise choose lower security protocol that your device support. Choose shared key and type in your pass phrase. Save your settings. After that when u try to connect to your wireless network, it will prompt you for the pass phrase. Type in your pass phrase you have entered in your router/access point and you will be able to log on your network.
I still dont’t get it, this is too difficult
Consult your device manual, I recommend Linksys and D-Link product because they are easy to setup. If you need assistance or any questions send me a comment.
