How to Secure Your Wireless Broadband Network

Internet security has quickly grown to be one of the most important issues Internet users face, especially users with home networks. The development of wireless technology has not made this problem go away, and in fact wireless broadband users have many more security issues to consider.

Wireless broadband connections are very easy and convenient ways to use the Internet. They allow users to access the Internet from any location that has a “hot spot.” However, wireless broadband connections do pose some security hazards that need to be considered. These problems partially stem from the fact that wireless broadband manufacturers want their products to be exceptionally easy to use. To do so, the manufacturers disable many if not all security settings. This allows the wireless routers to simply plugged in and used straight from the box.

There are, however, quite a few things you can do to increase the security of your wireless broadband connection. Some of the more basic steps include: 

Changing the Configuration Page’s Password

Every wireless router or access point comes with a built-in configuration page – this will look like an internal web page that is accessed from your web browser. Usually, the password is either blank or says something along the lines of “admin.” Changing both the username as well as the password is an important step in keeping your wireless broadband connection secure.

Disabling the Broadcasting of Your SSID

Most wireless broadband access points and routers make their SSID public. While this makes it easy to connect to the network, it also announces to everyone that you are using a wireless network. Disabling this broadcasting prevents others from easily knowing that you are using a wireless network for your broadband connection.

Changing the Default IP Number of the Wireless Access Point or Router

Change the default IP number to something different so hackers cannot easily find the configuration menu. The default IP number is something the manufacturer’s put in to make the system easy to use. All hackers are familiar with the default IP number, so changing it will help secure your wireless system.

Enabling WEP or WPA Encryption

With the WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) or WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) box options checked off, a user has to have a correct encryption key to connect to the wireless network.  WEP comes with different encryption levels, and the higher the level, the more difficult it is to break the encryption code.

Keep Others From “Borrowing” Your Signal

It’s a good idea to try and place your wireless router as close as you can to the center of your home or office. This ensures that the signal will be strong throughout your home or office and reduces the chance that your wireless signal will leak outside and attract attention to other users or “drive-by hackers and wireless broadband “piggy-backers”.

Securing your wireless broadband connection is especially important if you are dealing with a home network with personal files and information. There is the potential that hackers could get into your computer and steal information from your computer.

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