Open wireless networks can be risky, but wireless networks that are suppose to be secure, are dangerous.
There’s nothing worse than false security. You may be thinking, “I have a password on my router, isn’t that enough?”
Maybe.
Maybe is not the answer you should be looking for. “Maybe” is fine when you’re asking about going out for dinner, but “maybe” is not good when referring to whether you know where your keys are.
So, think of all the wireless networks you are responsible for, and make sure you know where the keys are!
The first thing to remember is, you never know when you have a security breach. You’re laugh-it-up watching YouTube videos, while some creep down the street is browsing your network.
Uncool.
Put some security in your router! Even if you believe in a utopian view of free abounding wi-fi, you need to do it. You’re one router signal isn’t going to change the world, except save your neighbor from a high-speed ISP bill.
WEP
This protocol is double-edged. It’s easy to setup and easy to break in. Forget WEP, it’s a total FAIL.
One might argue that the setting is better than nothing, but only in a band aid-at-the-nude-beach sort of way.
When I say “easy”, I mean point and click programs.
WPA2
Most modern routers have this as an option and should be a “deal-breaker” when buying a new router. Some refer to this as simply, WPA, but they are more than likely referring to WPA2. The new version is like most updates, it fixes the flaws of the first version. If you’re router doesn’t have WPA2, but has WPA, at least us this since it’s better than WEP.
Instead of just a band aid to wear, WPA will at least give you the protection equivalent to a bandana, a fig leaf and a sun hat.
WPA2 is a rubberized snow suit with the fly open. In other words, there is no single measure that provides 100% protection.
Updates
Keep your wireless access point updated! Updates aren’t just for geeks, they’re for everyone. Updates in firmware are designed to plug security holes and sometimes gives you more options and functionality.
Updates. Get’em.
Change Router Defaults
Change all the default passwords and usernames! Most router default login information is available on the router manufacturer’s website. Plus, you need to use a good password:
Use a password that combines numbers, letters (both upper and lower case) and even symbols. You can do this and easily remember it, too. Think of a sentence for example that includes numbers, such as “I have two dogs and live on Elm Street.” In that example, the first letter plus the number becomes a password that’s hard to crack but easy to remember — Ih2daloES.
Your routers default network range is usually 192.168.1.X or 10.0.0.X, so change it. This should severely lower your chances of someone guessing. There are plenty of easier routers to hack, so this is a good deterrent.
Change the default SSID (the wireless network identifier) on your router. Give it a unique name, but not something that can be associated to your location (such as a name or an address).
These are a few things you can do to ensure your wireless network is safe and secure, and the only thing it will cost you is the time.
🙂
[via eSecurity Planet]
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