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

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.Windows XP: Improve the security of your wireless home network with Windows XP 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.Daily Wireless: How to Secure A WLAN
2. Computers connected to your network can spread viruses or other dangerous software.Windows XP: Improve the security of your wireless home network with Windows XP
3. If someone using your network commits a crime, the activity will be traced back to your router.Federal Trade Commission: FTC Advises: Protect Your Wireless Network to Protect Yourself

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.

• 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.Netgear: Overview of How to Access the Wireless Router
  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.Linksys: Changing the Linksys Router's Password
  3. Select a difficult to guess password, with a mix of numbers, symbols and letters, and don't use personal information or common words.PC World: Tips & Tweaks: Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe
• Leaving the login information as the default allows hackers to easily gain access to your router settings by going through all default logins.GovernmentSecurity.org: Default Logins and Passwords for Networked Devices

• 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.OnGuard Online: Wireless Security

• 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.PC World: How to Secure Your Wireless Network
  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.Windows XP: Improve the security of your wireless home network with Windows XP

• 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.PC World: How to Secure Your Wireless Network

• 1. Use a minimum of eight characters.MIT: How to Choose a Good Password
  2. Use numbers, symbols, upper and lower case.MIT: How to Choose a Good Password
  3. Don't use personal information.MIT: How to Choose a Good Password
  4. Avoid common words or phrases, like "password" or "Go figure."MIT: How to Choose a Good Password
  5. Change your network password every three to six months.MIT: How to Choose a Good Password

• 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.OnGuard Online: Wireless Security
  1. While in your router's web-based set up page, find your wireless settings.Linksys: Wireless Router Configuration - Changing SSID & Disabling SSID Broadcast
  2. Find the field labeled SSID.Linksys: Wireless Router Configuration - Changing SSID & Disabling SSID Broadcast
  3. Change it to a unique name. Don't use anything that may indicate your location.Linksys: Wireless Router Configuration - Changing SSID & Disabling SSID Broadcast
  4. Do not use your address, company name, or other identifying names like "Smith Residence" or "Finance Department of ABC Corporation."PC Mag: Ten Steps to a Secure Wireless Network
• 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.

• 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.PC 911: Securing Wireless Networks 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.Linksys: Wireless Router Configuration - Changing SSID & Disabling SSID Broadcast
  2. Select the option to disable or turn it off.Linksys: Wireless Router Configuration - Changing SSID & Disabling SSID Broadcast

• 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.Linksys: Wireless Router Config. - Security - Wireless MAC Address Filtering
  2. Look for MAC filter.Linksys: Wireless Router Config. - Security - Wireless MAC Address Filtering
  3. Enter the MAC addresses of the computers allowed on the network and make sure to enable, confirm, or turn it on.DCN Group: How to find your MAC address

• 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."GetNetWise: Password Protect Your Computer in Windows XP In Macintosh OSX, find "Security" under "System Preferences."GetNetWise: Password Protect Your Computer in Apple MacOSX
  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.PC World: How to Secure Your Wireless Network
  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. OnGuard Online: Wireless Security
  4. Disable file and printer sharing on your computer.About.com: How To Disable File and Printer Sharing Turn it on only when you need it.
  5. Make your folders private and encrypt your files.Microsoft: 7 tips for working securely from wireless hotspots
  6. Disable automatic wireless connections.About.com: How To Disable Automatic Wireless Connections If you travel with your laptop, you don't want to automatically connect to any open network. Only connect to networks you trust.

• Here are a few more tips to secure your WiFi connection sessions.
  1. Position your router or access point in the center of the home and away from windows, so there's less signal available outside your walls.PC Mag: Wireless LANs at Risk
  2. Use scanners to check your network for system security flaws.PC Mag: Make Your Network Safer by Attacking It Microsoft's Baseline Security Analyzer helps detect common security misconfigurations and missing security updates.Microsoft TechNet: Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer Other third-party scanning tools are available as well.PC Mag: Make Your Network Safer by Attacking It
  3. When connecting to public networks, don't assume that it's secure.OnGuard Online: Wireless Security Avoid sending or receiving sensitive information over that network unless you know the site is secure.OnGuard Online: Ensure that You are Sending Sensitive Information Securely
  4. Subscribe to a VPN (Virtual Private Network). It keeps your encrypted data safe.PC World: How to Secure Your Wireless Network

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