Secure your wireless Internet Network through these security tips
>> Friday, January 17, 2014
Over the years, the price of wireless routing devices has dropped considerably. Consequently, the majority of users have now shifted to wireless routing. However, regardless of the type of Internet routing system being used, proper security measures have to be installed in order to prevent unauthorized breaches or usage.
Wireless Internet Security Methods
When setting up a wireless network at home, it is important to understand the need for security. A wireless network spans across a certain range allowing any number of devices to connect to it. Therefore, a user can easily connect to a router being used in a neighbouring house. There are a number of ways to prevent this from happening.
Setting up a Pass key
Setting up a security key on a wireless network prevents unauthorized access. Only those individuals who have the key can connect to the network.
There are three types of security keys that can be implemented. WEP is the weakest form of encryption available. WEP (Wired Equivalency Protocol) does not support long passkeys.
A WEP protocol on a router results in a weak security key as compared to the other two protocols. The reason behind the weaker security key is due to WEP?s support for lower encryption formats.
Broadcasting your SSID
The SSID of any router is the default name that it gives to a network. The default name of the network is a derivation of its manufacturer?s name. The majority of users do not change the standard SSID setting. In terms of Wireless Internet Security, the default SSID name is considered to be a security risk because it can allow experience hackers to breach the network. Many routers being used today allow users to stop the router from broadcasting the SSID completely.
Setting up MAC Filtering
Every computer device has a specific MAC address that can be used to identify it. Wireless routers are designed with the capability to detect MAC addresses and then perform certain functions. One of these functions is known as MAC filtering.
MAC filtering provides the added security benefit of preventing unauthorized users from accessing the network even when they have the password security key. Mac Filtering is offered by both advanced and low cost wireless routers. It is a very efficient way of implementing Wireless Internet Security.
Final Tips
Every router device has a user based setup interface. This interface is needed when a user wants to setup the network or change configurations. One of the best ways to ensure wireless Internet security is to block users from having access to the setup interface wirelessly.
This can be accomplished by only allowing users to access it if their device is connected via LAN to the router.
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