Few Tips for Securing Wi-Fi's
Password-protect your router
The first thing to do to make your wireless network secure is to access Internet through a password protected router be it home or office. Every router comes pre-configured with a standard password, and hackers know this. This makes it very easy for hackers to simply gain access into your network, gain control over its administrative rights and use your network and computer the way they want.
Wardriving, in which any person within the peripheral reach of your router’s wireless signal (between 20 to 100 metres) can simply stand outside your premises in a car or on a bike and send a terror mail by using a laptop or handheld device.
How to feed password
To prevent this, a password must be fed at the time of setting up the router and connecting it with the DSL. This password can be written down and kept with you, and inserted each time when your system asks for it before connecting you to Internet.
The large WiFi systems at most airports, hospitals, enterprises, or educational and scientific institutions, are password protected. Such access control is intended not only at revenue collection, but also security of the system. There is no reason why individuals or small organisations should not follow the same principle as a misuse of their IP -- be it for sending out pernicious mails or hacking other’s computers -- can make them liable to be accused by the police.
If you do not know how or where to put the password, call up your service provider and insist that the engineer puts in the password in front of you. Ensure this each time you change the settings, or your machine and hand-helds. Similarly, auto logins may be a great convenience, but are a taboo from security perspective.
Change the password
Change this administrator password on the router from time to time like you should change any other password so as to minimise the risk to your network.
How you change your password varies from router to router. There are several sites on the Net (even sites of the company that owns the brand of router you use) which will tell you how to go about changing the password of your router. If the task is still insurmountable, call up your ISP to understand the process. But remember not to have a wireless network without password.
Use Encryption
One of the best ways to secure your WiFi network is through encryption. There are primarily two encryption WiFi standards --- Wireless Equivalent Protocol (WEP) and WiFi Protected Access (WPA).
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is the original wireless encryption standard, which is now outdated. The main problem with it is that it can be easily "cracked." Cracking a wireless network means defeating the encryption so that you can establish a connection without being invited. A 128-bit WEP is an updated, more secure version of the original WEP.
However, skilled attackers can still crack 128-bit WEP in a few hours or less, giving them access to your network.
WPA-Personal
WPA-PSK (also known as WPA-Personal) is a more secure alternative to WEP. However, since it is newer, it is not as widely supported. However, if you have wireless devices that don't support WPA, such as media extenders or wireless cameras, you will have to use WEP on your network instead.
WPA-Enterprise
You might also see the security method called WPA-Enterprise. As the name suggests, this method of network encryption is designed for business use. Setup for WPA-Enterprise is more complex than for other types of encryption, and it requires special network infrastructure.
The newest type of wireless encryption, WPA2 provides the highest level of encryption available. WPA2 encryption should be your first choice if your wireless router -- and all of your wireless computers and devices -- support it.
Also, remember, if you use WEP encryption, change your encryption key once a month. So even if someone manages to learn your key, they will be locked out again when you change it.
Turn off your network
A very simple tip which goes a long way is to turn off your network when not using it. All you need to do is to just turn off your router when you are not using your network. Remember, the lesser time your wireless network is on, the less are the chances of it being hacked. So, switch it on only when needed and then switch it off.
Look for those wireless intruders
Treat WLANs as untrusted networks. Always remember to check your network to see if intruders have made their way in. There are several free programmes available on the Net which will help you monitor wireless monitors.
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