I've written considerably more about wireless security but you ought to begin by assessing the risks to your WLAN.
Wireless Internet connections are certainly convenient, especially in terms of reducing the clutter of all those wires.
They are also convenient for other reasons too but you may not like those.
Hackers love wireless networks - they can break into many with relative ease and they don't even need to be in your home to do so - they can access them from the street outside with a wireless laptop.
Fortunately, however, it isn’t difficult to protect yourself.
Wireless networks can be particularly vulnerable to digital intruders which means any sensitive or private data on them can be at risk.
However, you can protect yourself in many ways, including using WEP or WPA encryption, both of which require users to enter a password before they are allowed to access your wireless network.
Here are some additional tips on how you can protect your wireless network -
* Reduce the broadcasting range of your network - doing so can keep nosy neighbours from intruding on your connection. You can do this by moving your wireless router away from external wall in your home and by decreasing it's power settings.
* Change your router's default password - hackers and crackers know what they are!
* Disable SSID broadcasting as most wireless routers broadcast the names of the network which could aid a hacker.
* Disable your wireless connection when you are not using it.
* Always use a strong firewall that will go a long way to protecting your computer from outside interferance.
* Think twice before sharing files over your home network as other users may not be as security conscious as you.
* When connecting to a network be sure to connect to your own and not any others that may be in range - who knows what security risks other people's networks may pose to your own?
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