Wireless Help

Wireless networks for home and office bring together mobility and computing power. To ensure security and connectivity, make sure you have the right tools and the latest firmware for your wireless network. If you have a wireless network, check out this free anti-virus software: Virus Help; free firewalls, and spyware software: PC Security; and free alternative Internet browsers: Internet Help.

Wireless is a great choice for a home network. Physically awkward or nearly impossible connections between computers become easy through a wireless network. But wireless comes with its own brand of security worries.

Wireless computers and routers use radio waves to communicate. Those waves are sometimes strong enough to carry outside your house. If your network is unprotected, your information is begging to be hacked.

Many intruders already know this. They'll drive through neighborhoods searching for stray signals with radio equipment. With the right information, they could access your networked computers and files. They could even borrow your Internet connection.

Hackers search for people who use the default factory settings. Default settings are published in thousands of user manuals just like yours. It's basically public information. You can protect your network by reconfiguring your wireless router.

But most folks don't even know how to change the router's settings. The descriptions that follow are general, because different brands require different steps.

Finding your router's settings.

Most wireless routers are configured through a browser such as Internet Explorer. First, you need to connect your wireless router directly to a computer. Yes, you're already connected through your network. You can otherwise connect directly with an Ethernet cable. Ethernet cables look like telephone cords with larger-sized plugs.

Now open your Internet browser. To communicate with the router, you'll need its IP address. You can find this in your manual under a heading like "configuration setup" or "manual configuration." Most Linksys routers, for example, have an IP address like 192.168.1.1.

Treat that number as a Web address. Type it directly into your Internet browser's address bar. You'll then be prompted for a user name and password. These will also be listed in your manual. For Linksys, the username is usually blank, and the default password is 'admin'. Without the quotes, of course.

Finally, you'll see your router's configuration tool. It looks a lot like an ordinary Web page. Now, let's work on security.

Changing your router's settings.

Wireless router default settings often disregard security. That's because low security makes it forgiving and easy to install. But now you can eliminate the risky downside of easy installation. Here are my suggestions to ratchet up your settings. Different brands put these settings under different menus. But you should be able to find each without too much trouble.

• Turn on WEP security. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is basic encryption for your network. Usually, you can choose from encryption levels like 64-bit or 128-bit. Choose the highest number available. You may also see the WEP key or network key. The key looks like a string of random letters and numbers. It's the secret that decodes the WEP encryption. But, if you see a code at this point, the one you see is a factory default. Hackers are already familiar with it, which makes the encryption meaningless.

• Change the key. You might have the option of using ASCII (regular letters) or hexadecimal. Go with hexadecimal for less trouble in the long run. Most routers let you type in a word and then use your word to make a hexadecimal key. You can also find online tools that produce new keys with this method. Just do a search for WEP key generators. Whatever you do, be sure to write down your key. You'll need it in a minute.

• But WEP is an old system. A more secure encryption is provided by WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). You may see WPA as an option. If so, use it instead of WEP. WPA setup is similar to WEP. If you're asked for an authentication type, choose WPA-PSK (pre-shared key). WPA also lets you type in a word to make your key. After you create the key, be sure to write it down.

• Change your network SSID. The SSID (service set identifier) is your network's name; much like the call letters of your favorite radio station . Avoid using your name or passwords from other programs. You'll also need this new SSID in a minute.

• Turn off SSID broadcast. Otherwise, your router will give away your new SSID.

• Turn off remote management. Most Linksys routers have this feature turned off by default. This feature lets you change the router's settings from anywhere on the Internet. It's an excessive risk for a home network.

• Change your password for the router. Anything is better than the default password that you found in the manual. But again, avoid obvious words or passwords you use elsewhere. Write it down.

Changing your computers' settings.

You're finished with the wireless router. But your computers useing wireless networking don't know what you've done. You'll have to update them with the information that you wrote down. Here's what to do for each computer you've got on the wireless network:

Click Start>>Control Panel. Double-click Network Connections. Right-click Wireless Network Connection. Select Properties from the pop-up menu. Select the Wireless Networks tab. Under "Preferred networks," click the Add button. In the box labeled "Network name (SSID)," enter your new SSID.

Click the box labeled "Data encryption." Select WEP from the drop-down menu. If you've used WPA instead, select WPA. Enter the key you wrote down into the box labeled "Network Key." You'll have to enter it twice to confirm it. Then make sure that the checkbox labeled "The key is provided for me automatically" is NOT marked. Finally, click OK>>OK.

Windows 98 and Me do not have built-in wireless networking. All of the wireless menu options are provided by your wireless adapters software. Each brand implements their features differently. But most should add wireless options to the same place.

Click Start>>Settings>>Control Panel. Double-click Network. Select the Configuration tab. Highlight your wireless adapter from the list. Then click the Properties button. There you should be able to find options to enter your new SSID and Network Key.

And that's all there is too it! Well, OK, it takes a while to get it done. But these little changes make you a less attractive target for hackers. And if your neighbors were secretly using your Internet connection, they've just lost their connection.