Wireless Security

If your wireless modem is located in a multiple family home or in an apartment building, then you are more at risk for having other people use your Internet connection. You must take certain precautions to prevent others from using (and abusing) your access. Remember that you are responsible for your system and network security. Therefore, if someone were to use your Internet connection, then you are responsible for their actions online as well.

There's a lot you can do to secure your wireless connection. Most of these tips have been researched from many places found on the web and apply mostly to 802.11b based wireless modems but, there are also some useful tips on building your home network:

1) Don't use TCP/IP for File and Printer sharing
Access Points are usually installed on your network, behind any router or firewall you may be using. If someone successfully connects to your Access Point, they'll be on your network. But since they'll be using TCP/IP to make the connection, you can easily deny access to MS File and Printer sharing by using a protocol other than TCP/IP for those services. That way, they may get access to your Internet connection, but they'll be stopped short of your files.

2) Follow secure file-sharing practices:

• Share only the minimum amount of files (Folders only, not hard drives)
• Password protect everything shared with a strong password (eight or more characters, mixing both numbers and letters).

3) Enable WEP Encryption
There has been some questions as to WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and some of its weaknesses. Bottom line is, better a weakly secured network than no security at all (make sure that what ever encryption key you use, it's not something that anyone could figure out). Contact customer service to assist you if you have problems getting WEP to work.

4) Change the preset Administrative Password
Change your password from the default immediately after you set up. Also remember to create a strong password. It's possible that the default password is the same for all of the models and, since you're not the only one who has that particular brand of wireless modem, someone else can figure out the default password and can use it to gain access to your wireless network.

5) Think about where you are locating your wireless modem
As you start planning for your wireless modem, one of the first things you should consider is the location of the modem itself. Locate the wireless modem toward the center of your building rather than near the windows. Plan your coverage to radiate out to the windows, but not beyond them. If the wireless modem is located near the windows, a stronger signal will be radiated outside your building making it easier for people to find your modem and abuse your connection.

6) Turn off SSID
You and your friends can hook up your wireless set up for some gaming by broadcasting your SSID. As fun and easy as that sounds, if your friends can easily hook up to your wireless connection, then anyone else can easily gain access to your network too. This is why so many clients with an SSID of 'any' can roam from place to place and find access. Broadcast SSID support allows any SSID to bind. This can put your security at risk.