Wireless Networks

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Wireless Networks

IMPORTANT!!! Click here for information you need to know when connecting to free (public) wireless networks!!!

If your at this page, it probably means you already have a wireless network, or you are thinking about getting one. That's great! Wireless networks free your computer (both notebooks and desktops) from having to be hard wired to the Internet. But, just because you hook up your wireless router, doesn't mean your safe! Yes, the wireless router has a firewall, but you have to protect that firewall, and all the information you send and receive can be captured by anyone within range of your wireless network. So what are you supposed to do? There are three things. Two are very important, and the third is like a second lock on your front door. First, you need to change the password of your router. Second, you need to encrypt all that information that is floating around in the air. Third, you can use a filter that only allows certain computers to gain access to your wireless network. Fourth, hide your SSID

Change the password on your wireless router:
All new routers come set with default passwords, and anyone who has set up a wireless router knows these passwords. So change it! I can't explain here how to do it, because you will need to access your router, and they are all different. If you do not know how to access your router, call me! I can set this up remotely.
Encrypt the information on your wireless router:
You can encrypt the information sent by your wireless router by using "WEP" (wired equivalent privacy) or "WPA" (WiFi Protected Access). As I state on my Computer Security page, nothing is 100% secure. But encrypting your information is better than not doing it at all! Once again, you have to access your router, and I can't explain how to do it, but you can call me and I can remotely do it for you.
Filtering (MAC Address) on your wireless router:
There are many ways to "filter" which computers can use your wireless network and which ones can't. The most common filter is "MAC Address Filtering". Every network card has a unique MAC address. You can tell a wireless network these MAC addresses, and only those computers that match exactly can gain access to the wireless network. This is great for a home or small office that doesn't have a lot of changes to their network, i.e., new or old employees coming and going. It's a nightmare to manage if you have to add and remove MAC addresses all the time. Again, this is something I can do for you.
Hide your SSID (Service Set Identifier)
If you have ever connected your notebook to a wireless network, you know how easy it is to "see" the wireless networks around you. When you "view available wireless networks" you are looking at wireless networks within range of your computer. Every wireless network broadcasts its "SSID",or "name", ie, Linksys, Default, Netgear. But, did you know you can hide this SSID from others? It is a simple set up in your router. All of the routers are different, so if you would like to do this to your router, call me. I can help you. Note: This does not mean that your wireless network is 100% safe. The SSID can still be found, but not to the average user (or wanna be hacker!)

Helpful Hint: Wireless Networks run on the 2.4GHz spectrum. Cordless phones can run on the 900MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz spectrums. If your are having problems staying connected to your wireless network, check your cordless phone. If it is a 2.4GHz phone, you will need to replace it with a 900MHz or 5.8GHz cordless phone. (900MHz phones are CHEAP!)

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