In recent years, wireless networking has become more and more popular. Laptop computers, smart phones, and tablet devices all have become essential business tools, and integrating these devices into your business office usually requires a wireless network. While many of these devices come with 3G and 4G data plans available, the speed and security of these networks cannot match what is provided with a properly configured wireless local network.
So you already have a wireless network set up in your office or at home? Great! The next important step is making sure that it is secure. If your wireless network is not properly secured, it can be broken into by even the least skilled hacker who is willing to do a little research.
Some people may not care if others use their wireless internet however they should keep in mind, surfing the net might NOT be what they have in mind. If someone with basic networking skill accesses the network, the hacker will be able to scan all of the devices and computers attached to the network, and potentially gain access to the data stored on them. What’s worse, the company would probably never know that the intrusion occurred. They could also be held accountable for actions taken by a hacker while using the Internet connection.
Some may say that they already have security on their wireless router however, if they purchased and set up a wireless router themselves, or if it was set up by their Internet provider, there’s a chance the network is not very secure. The router could be using an outdated type of encryption, or no encryption at all. On most wireless routers, the default security setting is to use WEP (“Wired Equivalency Protection”) encryption. WEP uses an algorithm to encrypt (‘ scramble’) the contents of all information being passed over the air, so that only the router and a computer with a manually entered “key” can decrypt it. Unfortunately, WEP encryption has been hackable for many years, and today it is easy to find tutorials and tools online for hacking WEP. WEP is still included in routers because it is universal, and older wireless devices may need to use it.
In order to use the best security users should ensure that their router is using the most current type of encryption, if possible. Most recent laptops and wireless devices can use WPA2 encryption. They should also consider changing their network passphrase periodically, and change it immediately if they suspect unauthorized access. Another step to minimize exposure is to tum off “SSID broadcasting,” which simply means that your router will no longer announce to the world that its wireless network is available. This way, a user would have to already know that the network exists, and would need to know the name of it in order to even attempt logging in. Keep in mind that any changes made to the router would need to be configured on each device that accesses the network.
If you have questions about securing your wireless network, you can call M&H Consulting at (866)964-8324 or email support@mhconsults.com.
