Wireless communication is truly getting vulnerable to network hackers. If recent incidents are to go by, terrorists have (mis)used this common vulnerability to safely send their message across -- thanks to an unsecured network waiting to be hacked into. Some tips to keep your network safe from "prying eyes"!
Wireless communication is getting quite vulnerable to network snoopers who capture user IDs, passwords, and other data transmitted across the network. Wi-Fi networks needs to be properly secured to avoid illegal piggybacking of internet services.
An average PC user needs nothing too complicated, no extra features but a real solution that is effective and simple to operate. And it really is simple to "secure" your wireless network. All you need to do is to properly secure your Wi-Fi network through encryption, which encodes the data transmitted between your PC and your wireless router.
It’s a fact that almost all of us may have jumped onto someone else's unsecured Wi-Fi network consciously or inadvertently. It does not make any difference if you're just an scrupulous soul looking out for an Internet connection.However, if you're the owner of an unsecured network, you should be aware that the world's not made up of ethical souls and it's easy for the devious ones to find out what you're doing on your network. Does sound scary, doesnt it? So here's how to fix the problem.
Encryption
The first line of defense for your Wi-Fi network is encryption, which encodes the data transmitted between your PC and your wireless router. Sadly, most routers ship with encryption turned off, and many users don't turn it on, leaving themselves completely exposed. If you haven't already, enable your router's encryption, and use the strongest form supported by your network. The Wireless Protected Access (WPA) protocol and more recent WPA2 have supplanted the older and less-secure Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP).
Go with WPA or WPA2 if at all possible, since WEP is relatively easy to crack. (You have to use the same form on all devices on your network; you can't mix WEP and WPA.) The keys used by WPA and WPA2 change dynamically, which make them nearly impossible to hack. Use a strong password for your encryption key, such as a combination of letters and numbers of 14 characters or more.
If you have an older router that supports WEP only, you'll be safest if you use 128-bit WEP keys--but also check the manufacturer's Web site for a firmware update that will add WPA support. If it doesn't look like an update is likely, consider replacing old adapters and routers with newer models that support WPA. Look for a router that supports the hybrid WPA + WPA2 mode, which lets you use the stronger WPA2 encryption with adapters that support it, while still maintaining compatibility with WPA adapters.
Make sure you change the default network name and password on your router. Doing so will make it much more difficult for hackers to break into your router and commandeer its settings.
The firewall built into your router prevents hackers on the Internet from getting access to your PC. But it does nothing to stop people in range of your Wi-Fi signal from getting onto your network--and with the latest high-performance equipment, your Wi-Fi signal could reach clear down the block. Without encryption and other protective measures, anyone can use readily available tools to see all your Wi-Fi traffic.
For extra protection, run software firewalls on the individual PCs on your network. Examples include software like Zone Labs' ZoneAlarm, available as a free download..
Since public hotspots generally don't use encryption, you should assume that anyone can see your Internet traffic unless you take precautions. Make sure it's a legitimate hotspot. There are several nefarious types who have set up pirate routers with familiar SSID names like "wayport" or "t-mobile," and then use them to capture unsuspecting users' log-on information and other private data.
Verify that your PC's software firewall is turned on, and that Windows' file-sharing feature is off; it's off by default in Windows XP with Service Pack 2. To check this setting, open Control Panel and choose Windows Firewall (you may have to click Security Center first in XP or Security in Vista). In XP, select the Exceptions tab, and look in the Programs and Services to make sure file and printer sharing is unchecked. In Vista, click Change settings, then select the Exceptions tab and follow the instructions for XP.
The Basics
Never send bank passwords, credit card numbers, confidential e-mail, or other sensitive data unless you're sure you're on a secure site: Look for the padlock icon in the bottom-right corner of your browser, as well as a URL in the address bar that begins with https. Such sites build in their own encryption.
Always turn your Wi-Fi radio off when you're not at a hotspot: Hackers can use it to create peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connections with your computer and access it directly. That should keep your network safe for the time being.
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