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available. It should be noted that WEP does have some serious weaknesses. First, it does not deal with key management. The keys have to be given to users. Since WEP is a shared key system, the Administrator uses the same key as all the users, and they also share the same key with each other. A hacker would only have to get the key from a single user, and he would then know the key for all users. This goes back to number 2; educate your users in wireless security.

MAC ID filtering:
The MAC ID is the unique identity of your wireless device in your computer. Most LAN devices have some type of MAC ID filtering that allows you to only permit access by computers that have certain MAC IDs. You can find this option under the security tab in your LAN device. This can be helpful; however, it must be remembered that MAC IDs over a network can be faked. Cracking utilities such as SMAC are widely available, and some computer hardware also gives the option in the BIOS to select any desired MAC ID for it's built in network capability.

Hide your Network ID:
This is just want it sounds; it is another option available in your LAN device that does not broadcast the network ID. This means when someone is searching for a network to connect to, they won't see your network. Sure, there are hacker programs that might get past this, but who would go to all that trouble when so many other networks are unsecured?

Static IP Addressing:
For advanced users, disabling the IP Address assignment function of the network's DHCP server, with the IP addresses of your network devices then set by hand will make it difficult for a casual intruder to log onto the network. This is especially effective if the subnet size is also reduced from a standard default setting to what is absolutely necessary and if permitted but unused IP addresses are blocked by the LAN's internal firewall.

The truth is there are countless layers of protection and endless amounts of software available to protect your system from unauthorized access. Unfortunately, there are also countless programs and methods that hackers can use to access your network. For the average at home user, the above steps are enough to discourage a casual user from accessing your network, and to make it very difficult for someone to find and target your network for a serious breach. Take these basic steps, and your odds improve significantly.

Learn more about this author, Patrick California.
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