How to Secure Your WiFi

Guide Note

It's important to secure your WiFi connection to prevent unauthorized access to your computer files and Internet activity.

Table of Contents

How to Secure Your WiFi Tips

  1. Use a custom login/password on your router that is different than the default settings.
  2. Use WEP or WPA encryption to limit access to your wireless router.
  3. Create a SSID that doesn't identify your location.
  4. Limit the number of people who can see your network by disabling the SSID broadcast.
  5. Limit access to the network by specifying the MAC addresses allowed into the network.
  6. Safeguard your computer by using a firewall, antivirus and antispyware software.

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Introduction

  • Odds are that more than a few strangers can see your wireless network. Keep it safe. (Creative Commons photo by subflux)
    Odds are that more than a few strangers can see your wireless network. Keep it safe. (Creative Commons photo by subflux)
    Wireless networks are extremely convenient, allowing access to the Internet without being tethered to a cord. But networks can extend more than 300 feet from the router, allowing anyone in the vicinity to access your home network.1 This is dangerous for several reasons.
    1. Anyone connected to your network can gain access to your hard drive and online activity, capturing private information like passwords and account numbers.2
    2. Computers connected to your network can spread viruses or other dangerous software.1
    3. If someone using your network commits a crime, the activity will be traced back to your router.3
  • With identity theft being so prevalent, it's important to take precautions when setting up a wireless network in your home and using one when you're away from home.

Step 1: Change default login

  • Once your router is connected, you will be able to access your router settings through a web-based set up page.
    1. The manufacturer will provide a URL with a login and password to access the router configurations.4
    2. Once you access this page for your router and log in with the default password, find the "administration" or "settings" section where you can change your password.5
    3. Select a difficult to guess password, with a mix of numbers, symbols and letters, and don't use personal information or common words.6
  • Leaving the login information as the default allows hackers to easily gain access to your router settings by going through all default logins.7

Step 2: Use encryption

What is Encryption?

  • As information is sent over the network, computers connected can see it, too. Encryption scrambles the data so only computers with the encryption key can read it.8
Encrypting your network is an easy way to control access. (Creative Commons photo by Wesley Fryer)
Encrypting your network is an easy way to control access. (Creative Commons photo by Wesley Fryer)

There are two main types of wireless encryption

    1. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is an older form and less secure, but if it's the only available option on your machine, it's better than not having any encryption. 128-bit WEP is better than 64-bit WEP.9
    2. WPA (WiFi Protected Access) is more secure and newer than WEP, and is available on more current machines. WPA2 is the newest type, and provides the highest level of protection.1
  • Choose the highest level of encryption that all the computers in your network supports. If one of your computers doesn't support WPA2, that computer won't be able to access the network if you set that encryption level on your router.9

Password Tips

Step 3: Change SSID

  • The SSID (Service Set Identifier) is the name of your network. The manufacture sets a default identifier like the default administrative login for the router settings.8
    1. While in your router's web-based set up page, find your wireless settings.11
    2. Find the field labeled SSID.11
    3. Change it to a unique name. Don't use anything that may indicate your location.11
    4. Do not use your address, company name, or other identifying names like "Smith Residence" or "Finance Department of ABC Corporation."12
  • Like the default logins/passwords, hackers know the default names of different manufacturer's SSIDs and will be one step closer in getting onto your network.

Step 4: Disable broadcasting

  • Wireless networks will "broadcast" its SSID so any computer within range can see the available networks in the area. In order to access a wireless network, the SSID name and password needs to be entered.13 By broadcasting your SSID, you're providing important access information to your network. Disable the broadcast option so someone needs to know both your SSID and password in order to get onto your network.
    1. You should be able to disable the SSID Broadcast on the same page you configure your SSID name.11
    2. Select the option to disable or turn it off.11

Step 5: Enable Mac filtering

  • Every computer has a MAC (Media Access Control) address. Limit access to your network by only allowing specific computers to connect to it.
    1. While in your router's web-based set up page, find the Wireless section.14
    2. Look for MAC filter.14
    3. Enter the MAC addresses of the computers allowed on the network and make sure to enable, confirm, or turn it on.15

Step 6: Protect your computer

  • Make sure you use all the tools available to protect your computer.
    1. Set a password for your computer. In Windows XP, go to "Control Panel" and then "User Accounts."16 In Macintosh OSX, find "Security" under "System Preferences."17
    2. Your router has a built in firewall, but you still need extra protection for each individual computer in the network. Firewalls prevent hackers from accessing your computer by denying suspicious connections.9
    3. Install anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and keep them updated to prevent viruses and spyware from being installed onto your computer without your knowledge. 8
    4. Disable file and printer sharing on your computer.18 Turn it on only when you need it.
    5. Make your folders private and encrypt your files.19
    6. Disable automatic wireless connections.20 If you travel with your laptop, you don't want to automatically connect to any open network. Only connect to networks you trust.

A few more tips

Be careful when using public networks. (Creative Commons photo by Simon Law)
Be careful when using public networks. (Creative Commons photo by Simon Law)

Conclusion

  • Most hackers will target easy to crack and unsecured public networks. By taking these precautions, you can prevent the most common online security intrusions.

References for How to Secure Your Wifi

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Windows XP: Improve the security of your wireless home network with Windows XP
  2. ↑ Daily Wireless: How to Secure A WLAN
  3. ↑ Federal Trade Commission: FTC Advises: Protect Your Wireless Network to Protect Yourself
  4. ↑ Netgear: Overview of How to Access the Wireless Router
  5. ↑ Linksys: Changing the Linksys Router's Password
  6. ↑ PC World: Tips & Tweaks: Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe
  7. ↑ GovernmentSecurity.org: Default Logins and Passwords for Networked Devices
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 OnGuard Online: Wireless Security
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 PC World: How to Secure Your Wireless Network
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 MIT: How to Choose a Good Password
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Linksys: Wireless Router Configuration - Changing SSID & Disabling SSID Broadcast
  12. ↑ PC Mag: Ten Steps to a Secure Wireless Network
  13. ↑ PC 911: Securing Wireless Networks
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Linksys: Wireless Router Config. - Security - Wireless MAC Address Filtering
  15. ↑ DCN Group: How to find your MAC address
  16. ↑ GetNetWise: Password Protect Your Computer in Windows XP
  17. ↑ GetNetWise: Password Protect Your Computer in Apple MacOSX
  18. ↑ About.com: How To Disable File and Printer Sharing
  19. ↑ Microsoft: 7 tips for working securely from wireless hotspots
  20. ↑ About.com: How To Disable Automatic Wireless Connections
  21. ↑ PC Mag: Wireless LANs at Risk
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 PC Mag: Make Your Network Safer by Attacking It
  23. ↑ Microsoft TechNet: Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
  24. ↑ OnGuard Online: Ensure that You are Sending Sensitive Information Securely

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