Protect Your WiFi Signal
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It was reported in the media last week that more than half of computer users have illegally logged on to someone else’s wi-fi connection yet only 11 people have been arrested for the crime. “Wi-fi tapping” or “piggybacking” has boomed in the past few years as hackers take advantage of unsecured computers to access the internet without paying for it. Police regard it as a serious offence because intruders can download pornographic materials and illegal images without being caught. Only the legitimate holder of the wi-fi account is likely to be tracked down.
Sophos, a global internet security firm, carried out a survey on behalf of The Times. It discovered that 54 per cent of computer users have secretly used someone else’s wireless broadband connection without paying for it.
Enable WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy)
Even though WEP uses weak encryption and is breakable, it still provides an effective first measure of defense by encrypting the traffic between your wireless card and access point. Make sure you use the largest WEP key size that your equipment supports.
Change your SSID (Service Set Identifier) to something non-descriptive
You do not want to give out your name, address, or any other useful information to potential hackers. Also, using the default SSID is a bad idea. A good example would be anything non-descriptive like “flower” or “napkin” and a bad example would be “235 Elm St.” or “Johnson Family”.
Change the default password(s) on your access points
The default passwords of most network equipment are well known and could allow an intruder to gain access to your access point(s).
Disable Broadcast SSID
If your access point supports “closed system” or allows you to “disable broadcast SSID,” use this feature. This will make your network essentially invisible to almost all scanning methods.
Update the firmware and drivers on your access point and wireless cards
It is always wise to use the latest firmware and drivers on your access points and wireless cards. Manufacturers commonly fix known issues, security holes, and enable new features with these updates. Use Windows Update.
Enable MAC based filtering
Using this feature, only your unique wireless cards can communicate with your access point.
Turn off your access points when you are not using them
Why risk being scanned or being broken into if you are not using your wireless network.
Wave point placement and antenna selection
Try to position your access points towards the center of your house or building. This will minimize the signal leak outside of its intended range. If you are using external antennas, selecting the right type of antenna can be helpful in minimizing signal leak. Or look at this special paint.
Disallow router / AP administration via wireless
This feature is usually only present in “Enterprise-grade” AP’s, and shuts off the ability to administer your Access Point from wireless clients. But if your router/AP has it, use it.
Don’t send sensitive files over Wi-Fi networks unless you know it’s secure.
Make sure that your internet connection is secure before you send very sensitive internet communications. On the web most sites that perform sensitive transactions like shopping with a credit card or checking bank account information use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. SSL encrypts the transaction — creating a secure tunnel between your computer and the web site server. How do you know if your web page transaction is using SSL? One good way is to look at the web page URL. The prefix should start with “https://”. The “s” means it’s SSL secure. You can also look for a padlock icon or a solid key icon on your web browser. Some popular web-based email services allow users to log-on using a secure SSL connection. If you’re sending or receiving email while using a Wi-Fi network, make sure you log-in to your web-based email using SSL.
Use a virtual private network (VPN).
A VPN is an advanced networking feature. It is a technology that creates a tunnel between your computer and the network server. Many corporate networks have VPN’s to protect transmissions. If you are accessing your work files or email using a Wi-Fi network, make sure your office network administrator has created a VPN for those transmissions.
These tips cover some things you can do to increase security, but they only constitute a small piece of a true security model. Remember, security is a personal decision, and you are encouraged to use at least some level of security as a deterrent to intrusion.
Tags: WiFi security
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