Wireless network security tips
As the usage of laptops continues to rapidly increase throughout the world, so does the usage of wireless network connections. And with the increase in usage, comes the increase of illegal network activities. Hacking attempts, malware infections and all other possible manners of cybercrime move into the wireless networking zone as fast as it did in the era of conventional networking.
In this article, we will attempt to give you some of the more useful tips on wireless networking security so that you could avoid most, if not all, of the dangers that plague Wi-Fi users these days.
The basics of secure wireless networking
The first and the most important aspect of secure Wi-Fi networking is the ability to control secondary network connections. At home, users usually use passwords to protect their wireless network from system infiltration attempts. However, passwords alone may not provide enough protection for home-based Wi-Fi networks, and especially for the wireless networks of larger organizations.
As thousands of legitimately accessible wireless networks exist throughout the world, the numbers of users connected to them reaches millions. However, more and more users create their own Wi-Fi networks every day, and may be connected to several networks at a time, creating multiple secondary connections that are linked to official networks in real time. If any one of these is not secure, the entire network system may be compromised and become an open invitation to hackers seeking access to vulnerable computers. For this not to happen, we recommend you to take these basic precautionary steps in Wi-Fi networking security:
- Encrypting your data
The first step in securing your wireless network is to encrypt your private data. This makes intruders have to decrypt your personal information, and render malware parasites that steal your data practically useless.
- Shutting down SSID broadcasting
A Service Set IDentifier (SSID) is a code attached to packets (bits of information) on a wireless network that is used to identify each packet as part of that network. When it is turned on, all the users in the vicinity may identify your network and attempt a connection. Shutting it down will prevent potential attackers from recognizing your connection and turning it into fair game.
- Limiting your Wi-Fi signal coverage
You should limit your network signal to the area you are currently in, be it your office or your home. Once you do that, potential attackers will not be able to access your connection from without, which greatly increases your security.
- Limiting your network access to trusted MAC addresses
A MAC address is a serial number unique to each manufactured Wi-Fi or LAN network adapter. You can enter the MACs of people you trust into your secure connection list so that potential intruders could not access your system without knowing the required MAC numbers.
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