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If you have not invested in a wireless LAN for your business or home yet, it’s probably because of the widely publicized security concerns. Wireless networks have their own security challenges. Most wireless networks that are breached are usually because people have not taken the correct steps to ensure the requirements to make them secure. By following a few simple rules, you can use your wireless network effectively without letting hackers rule your network. To understand the security of a wireless network, you need to have an understanding of how they work. A wireless access point connects your wireless and wired networks together. To connect to the access point you use a wireless pcmcia or pci card. The wireless range is from 10ft-200ft depending on walls and other obstructions. A hacker with a wireless notebook could effectively access your wireless network by driving by your house or office, or from the floor below you in your hi-rise office building. Once they connect to your access point, they have access to your wired network also. Unfortunately, most wireless access points come with their security features disabled. Many people don’t configure the security features. By taking advantage of these features, you can protect yourself. And be sure that your information is safe. Each access point has a Service Set Identifier (SSID), which acts like a password. Each vendor uses a default SSID. Change the name of your SSID to something unique, and disable SSID broadcasting so that people traveling by your network will not be able to automatically detect your access point. Also you need to enable WEP security. Use at least 128 bit security, since the 64 bit security can be hacked by a user with decryption software. Use a key that is unique and doesn’t include your name or business name. You should change the default password to the administrator’s account inside your access point configuration. All access points come with a default password that is known by looking in the manual. If a hacker gets close to your access point and is able to gain access using the default password, he could effectively change the security and see your encryption keys. Enable MAC Address filtering. MAC Address filtering will allow you to provide access to only those wireless nodes with certain MAC Addresses. This makes it harder for a hacker to access your network with a random MAC Address Hopefully my article helps you to secure your wireless network, whether you are a home user playing games or you are a business providing roaming access for your employees. Remember, your network is only as secure as you make it. |
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