Is your wireless network secure?
View(s):Wi-Fi or wireless networks are great for home and small business users alike, allowing them to use multiple Internet capable devices on one shared connection. However, the convenience of having a wireless network at home comes with added security risks. wireless networks can be vulnerable to eavesdropping, hacking and freeloaders, if used without proper protection put in place when a network is set up.
Having an unsecured wireless network can allow anyone within range, i.e.your neighbours or even anyone on the same street or close enough, to access your network or using your Internet connection. They could use up your download allowance, possibly resulting in additional usage fees, intercept and read your files or emails or, more seriously, use your account to access illegal content or undertake criminal activities. You could even be held liable if someone uses your Internet connection, as any illegal activity will be linked back to your internet account.
With over 50 per cent of people admitting to having used someone else’s wireless Internet, without permission, how can you stop your neighbours from stealing your Wi-Fi connection? Securing your wireless network is just a matter of following a few simple tips.
Change the default SSID and Password: Modern computers and smartphones come with the ability to connect to the Internet and other nearby computers without the need for wires or cables, using a wireless connection. The access point makes itself known to other wireless devices by broadcasting its Service Set Identification (SSID) number. Hence, it is possible for anyone within range to intercept the signal if it is unprotected.
Wireless hardware and software comes with a default digital name, i.e. the SSID and the default administration username and password, which are set by the manufacturer. These standard names and passwords are widely known.
Hence, the SSID should be changed to something unique and should not include the brand name of the router. A strong administration password should likewise be set for the wireless network.
Don’t broadcast the name of your wireless network: It is by default that the wireless access point will broadcast its SSID. This makes it easy for any devices nearby to see the network and makes it easier for anyone to connect to it. Hence, the wireless network should be hidden, by turning off the SSID broadcast. This will require anyone to manually enter the SSID into any device to be connected and has to be done only once.
Remote Access: Any feature that the wireless router has to allow administration access over the Internet to someone off-site should also be turned off.
Use Encryption: Wireless routers give you the option of encrypting your data, so bank details and passwords can’t be intercepted. Additionally, Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2) is a much stronger encryption system for securing your communications than WEP, which can be easily cracked by hackers.
Use MAC address filtering: Restrict access so that only specific computers or smartphones can access the wireless network. Every computer connected to the wireless network uses a network adaptor which has a unique 12-digit identifier called a MAC (Media Access Control) address. The MAC address of a computer can sometimes be found on a sticker attached to the computer.
Alternatively, most wireless routers can tell you the MAC address of the computers connecting to them. To give specific computers permission to use the wireless network, you will have to add their MAC addresses to the wireless network through the wireless software settings.
Power of Transmission: The power of transmission in some wireless routers can be reduced to limit the distance the signal carries. Although it’s usually impossible to fine-tune a signal so precisely that it won’t reach outside your home, you can often limit how far outside your premises the signal reaches. However, be mindful that, if you adjust the power of your wireless connection, it may adversely affect the performance of your connection.
Make sure your computers are properly secured: Check that you have up-to-date anti-virus, security patches, and client firewall software; this will help to protect your wireless network by a stopping malware-based connection to your Wi-Fi.
Turn off your wireless router when not in use and the wireless connection in your smartphone when you leave your home or office.
(The writer is a Governance, Risk and Compliance professional and Director at Layers-7 Seguro Consultoria (Pvt) Ltd. He can be emailed at sujit@layers-7.com).