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I live in condos and am beginning to suspect eaves dropping on my wireless www. activity. I found this info but don't have a clue how to implement it.
Change the default settings. Every router has factory-set passwords as part of the default security settings. Guess what? Hackers know these default passwords. The first step in wireless network security should be changing the passwords.
Change the router's SSID. An SSID, or Service Set Identifier, is the name given to a network. It's like the name of your home town, a common reference that all the devices on a network use to know where they are. Most routers have a default network name set at the factory. Change it when you change the default passwords; hackers see default SSID names as a sign of poor network security.
Turn off SSID Broadcasting. Some networks report their availability over the air every few seconds. This is great for businesses and libraries that offer wireless networking, because it alerts your computer to the presence of the network. At home, you don't need it. You know the network is there. Broadcasting the SSID is telling everyone nearby that it's there, and you don't want everyone knowing that.
Use MAC address filtering. This is a security option that too many home users overlook because it's time-consuming to set up, but it's also one of the strongest security measures available. Every electronic device has a unique MAC address that acts as a personal fingerprint. When this filtering is turned on, you supply the MAC addresses for the computers, printers, video game systems, etc. that are allowed to connect to your network. All other devices will be locked out. Think of it as a VIP list for a private party.
Use Static IP Addresses. By default, wireless routers are set to use dynamic IP addresses, or DHCP. This makes it easier for devices to connect to your network when you turn them on, but it also enables anyone who can figure out your DHCP range to get into your network. It's better to assign a static IP address to every device that you want to connect. Working together with MAC address filtering, this will keep unauthorized users off your network.
Enable encryption. WAP and WEP are the two most common forms of encryption used in home routers. These tools scramble the data traveling across the network, allowing it to be read only by devices that have the encryption key. Remember that every time you use your wireless network, your data is sent as a radio signal. A hacker with the right tools can intercept that signal and steal your personal information without ever logging on to your network. Encryption prevents your data from being read, even if someone is intercepting your signals.
Monitor your network. Wireless routers can be set up to alert you every time a device tries to connect to your network. Enable this feature and keep it active, so that you'll know if unauthorized users are trying to get in.
Change the default settings. Every router has factory-set passwords as part of the default security settings. Guess what? Hackers know these default passwords. The first step in wireless network security should be changing the passwords.
Change the router's SSID. An SSID, or Service Set Identifier, is the name given to a network. It's like the name of your home town, a common reference that all the devices on a network use to know where they are. Most routers have a default network name set at the factory. Change it when you change the default passwords; hackers see default SSID names as a sign of poor network security.
Turn off SSID Broadcasting. Some networks report their availability over the air every few seconds. This is great for businesses and libraries that offer wireless networking, because it alerts your computer to the presence of the network. At home, you don't need it. You know the network is there. Broadcasting the SSID is telling everyone nearby that it's there, and you don't want everyone knowing that.
Use MAC address filtering. This is a security option that too many home users overlook because it's time-consuming to set up, but it's also one of the strongest security measures available. Every electronic device has a unique MAC address that acts as a personal fingerprint. When this filtering is turned on, you supply the MAC addresses for the computers, printers, video game systems, etc. that are allowed to connect to your network. All other devices will be locked out. Think of it as a VIP list for a private party.
Use Static IP Addresses. By default, wireless routers are set to use dynamic IP addresses, or DHCP. This makes it easier for devices to connect to your network when you turn them on, but it also enables anyone who can figure out your DHCP range to get into your network. It's better to assign a static IP address to every device that you want to connect. Working together with MAC address filtering, this will keep unauthorized users off your network.
Enable encryption. WAP and WEP are the two most common forms of encryption used in home routers. These tools scramble the data traveling across the network, allowing it to be read only by devices that have the encryption key. Remember that every time you use your wireless network, your data is sent as a radio signal. A hacker with the right tools can intercept that signal and steal your personal information without ever logging on to your network. Encryption prevents your data from being read, even if someone is intercepting your signals.
Monitor your network. Wireless routers can be set up to alert you every time a device tries to connect to your network. Enable this feature and keep it active, so that you'll know if unauthorized users are trying to get in.
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