Nowadays wireless networking has become very popular. The extensive utilization of wireless networks has also given way to numerous possible hackers or even network intruders inside the range of your office or house WLAN. Securing your wireless network from intruders is very important. For securing your wireless network, all you have to do is to take some simple steps to configure the security features of your access point or wireless router. Below are a few tips for securing your wireless network:
Secure the administration interface of your access point or wireless router The first thing you should do while setting up a WLAN access point or router is to modify its default password and save it somewhere in writing in case you forget it. Disable the broadcast of your SSID Though the SSID is very handy for the wireless customers as they can find a WLAN even if they don’t know what its name is. However, it makes the WLAN detectable for all wireless systems inside its range. By disabling the broadcast of your SSID, you can make it hidden for the passersby and neighbors. Enable WPA encryption in place of WEP WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is better in safeguarding your WLAN as compared to WEP. It is supported by Windows XP and nearly every contemporary wireless operating system as well as hardware. WPA2, the newer edition, is also available. It has stronger encryption than WPA. Keep in mind that WEP is better than not having any encryption at all Do not leave out encryption completely as WEP is much better than having no encryption altogether. WEP user ought to alter encryption keys as frequently such as each week. Use MAC filtering for access control MAC addresses are exclusive to particular network adapters. Turn on MAC filtering in order to limit network access to just your own systems. Although it MAC address is not a warranty of safety, it is an addition to the hurdles for a probable intruder. Reduce your WLAN transmitter power Although the feature cannot be found on all access points and wireless routers, a few let the user decrease the power of the WLAN transmitter. This reduces the range of its signal which minimizes the chance for intruders to gain access of the WLAN. Disable remote administration Unless someone extremely requires the facility of remote administration, it is better to keep it disabled. (It’s typically switched off by default; however you should make sure that it is.)
1 Comment
Thanks for helping me understand that the WLAN access points' passwords should be changed in the first place. I will keep that in mind when I hire wireless network solutions to install a Wi-Fi connection in our new home here in Boston, Massachusetts. We definitely want to secure our internet because we are in a condominium unit, so there would be other residents who might try to use our connection which we will be paying for.
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