Computer Protection - 2

Your wireless router

If you're reading this you've got internet access. You've probably reasoned that dial-up narrowband is not for you because it drives you nuts; you've switched to broadband because it's so cheap now and everything works so much faster. Moreover your guests want to use it via their laptops so you've installed a wireless (modem-) router.

In the last issue we covered use of a firewall to protect against hackers getting into your computer. If you have a new wireless router you'll have a firewall on there too. Great. Do nothing with it unless the instructions with your machine require you to. So now you have 2 firewalls – one on your router and one on your computer. (Remember that you should not have two firewalls on your computer.)

That said, we're now talking wireless security that is: encryption of (scrambling) the signal which goes between your computer and your wireless router; and stopping anyone from “piggybacking” your wi-fi broadband connection.

The Risks

The signal from a home/small business wireless network will only extend for a few metres outside your premises so someone will need to be parked in a car outside with a laptop to be able access the signal. Increasingly however we are installing wireless routers which reach further - several hundred metres - so that we/guests can get a good signal in every room.

OK someone might be using your network to send and receive their emails – big deal! If someone is downloading a lot of music or video on your capped broadband package you can end up with the bill. However there are more serious risks. Someone can be using your signal to download illegal stuff and you end up with the police in your premises. Someone can catch the sensitive personal data you send into your bank. Someone can mimic the signal coming from your router to your computer, by-pass the firewall on your computer and get access to all your data.

How to let your guests in and keep hackers out?

Step 1. Every wireless network has a name. The default setting, when you turn it on for the first time, is usually the name of the maker for example, Linksys, Netgear, Belkin etc. If you don't change this, hackers will know that you probably haven’t bothered to change any of the standard settings. Bingo, they're in! If you change the name (SSID) they probably will move on quickly to the next easy target in your street.

Step 2. Switch on wireless security such as WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK. Wireless routers are often sold with the security switched off as it makes setting them up easier. Simply go into the settings and switch it on.

You'll need to consult your instruction book supplied with your wireless router on how to take both these steps because all the wireless machines are different but it should be quite easy!!!

Wireless security options:

Once you're into your wireless router's settings you'll probably find a few options in the security section.

WEP is the oldest system and dedicated hackers know how to crack it. If it's all you've got on your machine switch it on because it will still keep out most intruders.

WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK are more secure. WPA-PSK was designed to work with older hardware as well as new. WPA2-PSK is the latest standard.

Choose an easy-to-remember network key (the password that will be needed to connect to your wireless router) of the required length (minimum of 8 characters). The most secure passwords are a combination of letters and numbers. Obviously the password must not be the one you use for your banking!

However you set it up, remember to put written instructions in the rooms (including name of your network (SSID) and the network key) so that your guests can get online hassle-free and so you don’t have to drag your son away from his homework every time a guest checks in. (Where do sons get all this stuff from anyway?)

If you choose to set up WPA2-PSK, sooner or later a guest will turn up with an old computer that is not compatible with the new technology. (You can recognise these computers easily because they look like waffle machines.) This is where you galvanise your son into action. Alternatively you can lower your security to WPA-PSK or even WEP.

Make a note of your network name and network key. If you’re the type who loses things, write both on a sticky label and slap it on the router.

When you connect to your network for the first time by wireless with your computer you'll need to click on the name of your own network (not your neighbour’s!) and enter the network key. You'll now be safely connected.

Article submitted by the editor.

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Next Issue

The next issue (no 6) of the newsletter will be about computer maintenance.