by Harold Larson

Created on: October 21, 2008   Last Updated: November 13, 2008

Wireless Networks

So you've decided to set up a wireless network? No longer are you limited in movement by a hanging blue cord; you can even sit out on the porch now and work in the sunshine. But are you secure? Whether looking into setting up a wireless network or you have an existing one, there are some things that you need to know in order to protect yourself.

The most positive aspect of a wireless network has to be the freedom to move around without being limited by cord length. Depending on how many computers you have in the house, the amount of cords can start to look like a tangled mess, but with wireless that's lessened quite a bit. With a wireless network costing more than a traditional wired one, it'll help in the long run to make sure that you are protected.

Limiting access on the wireless network does more than just stop your neighbor from getting free internet from you. If your network is unsecured, anyone can access it: someone could park next to your house, use a laptop to get onto your network and poof' the person has just used another person's credit card to make some purchases. A couple of months later an investigator shows up at your door wanting to know why a stolen credit card was used to buy merchandise on your network. It could take months to clear your name and explain that you weren't the culprit, just because your network wasn't secure.

Securing the wireless network isn't as hard (or painful) as it might seem. Wireless routers like Linksys has you set up security features while you are installing the software, and it often requires just the clicking of buttons. There are two main kinds of encryption that you can use to secure your network: Wired Equivalency Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). While WPA is more secure than WEP, there are many mp3 players, video game systems, and other electronics that can only be used on WEP encryption, so you will have to make sure that your other electronics will be compatible if you choose to use WPA encryption.

Another thing that you should do when setting up your router is to change the default name of the network (the SSID) and the password. It'll make it easier to remember if you need to add another computer later, and it makes it harder for hackers to get on your network.

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