Wireless encryption is only one way to keep a wireless network safe and protected from hackers. The following are some practical steps you can follow to ensure security for your home, business, or enterprise-level wireless network:
• Enabling encryption is the simplest way to protect WiFi access. Most wireless routers have their encryption disabled by default. To keep your router secure, enable either the WPA or WPA2 wireless encryption provision of your router. You can do this by accessing your wireless security menu and enabling encryption. Assign a password for the encryption to ensure protection.
• Change SSID name. SSID or Service Set Identifier is the name of your wireless connection. It is the very name you see on your Available Wireless Connections list whenever you try to connect to the network. While changing the wireless name alone doesn't offer any technical protection, doing so usually discourages hackers and deters their plans because they know you have taken at least some steps to secure your connection. You can change your wireless network name by accessing your basic wireless settings.
• Disable SSID broadcast to avoid your name from being displayed on Available Wireless Connections in your neighbors' devices. You can do this by instructing your router not to broadcast the name to everyone. To allow access to your network, simply provide your SSID name to people who want to join the network
• Enable MAC filtering. Persistent hackers may still access your network even after doing the above steps. To prevent determined hackers from getting access to your network, you can enable MAC filtering and enable access only to trusted laptops and devices.
• Disable administrative access through web. You may also disable administrative access through the web if you want further protection. Doing this will require you to access router configuration via ethernet cable and your PC, which can be quite taxing, but worth the additional layer of protection.
About the Author:
Mike Rana is the Chief Technology Advisor of Orion Network Solutions. Orion Network Solutions specializes in providing Computer Installation, Maintenance and Consulting services along with 24x7 help desk services for small and midsize companies. We provide network solutions that enables small businesses to not only lower their management cost but also increases employee productivity at the same low price. We offer network solution that become integral part of your organization and can provide an increase in productivity of your organization.
• Enabling encryption is the simplest way to protect WiFi access. Most wireless routers have their encryption disabled by default. To keep your router secure, enable either the WPA or WPA2 wireless encryption provision of your router. You can do this by accessing your wireless security menu and enabling encryption. Assign a password for the encryption to ensure protection.
• Change SSID name. SSID or Service Set Identifier is the name of your wireless connection. It is the very name you see on your Available Wireless Connections list whenever you try to connect to the network. While changing the wireless name alone doesn't offer any technical protection, doing so usually discourages hackers and deters their plans because they know you have taken at least some steps to secure your connection. You can change your wireless network name by accessing your basic wireless settings.
• Disable SSID broadcast to avoid your name from being displayed on Available Wireless Connections in your neighbors' devices. You can do this by instructing your router not to broadcast the name to everyone. To allow access to your network, simply provide your SSID name to people who want to join the network
• Enable MAC filtering. Persistent hackers may still access your network even after doing the above steps. To prevent determined hackers from getting access to your network, you can enable MAC filtering and enable access only to trusted laptops and devices.
• Disable administrative access through web. You may also disable administrative access through the web if you want further protection. Doing this will require you to access router configuration via ethernet cable and your PC, which can be quite taxing, but worth the additional layer of protection.
About the Author:
Mike Rana is the Chief Technology Advisor of Orion Network Solutions. Orion Network Solutions specializes in providing Computer Installation, Maintenance and Consulting services along with 24x7 help desk services for small and midsize companies. We provide network solutions that enables small businesses to not only lower their management cost but also increases employee productivity at the same low price. We offer network solution that become integral part of your organization and can provide an increase in productivity of your organization.
