Security Part 2 – Wireless

Wireless access is pretty standard now, it’s hard to find a laptop that does not come with built-in wireless. If you are switching or installing broadband for the first time, many providers supply a wireless router as part of the package as well. In any case, if you are using wireless today or plan to in the future pay close attention. Although it is simple to install with defaults and open access, this is not my recommended approach. Whether it’s you neighbor using your internet connection (both intentionally or unintentional) or a hacker getting his or her kicks, it’s best to secure your wireless access for not only security reasons but performance reasons as well. You see, maybe the reason your internet connection is slowing down at times is your unauthorized guest stealing your wireless is downloading some big files, movies or music or ??????. So even if you think you have nothing worth stealing on you computer, someone can still steal your bandwidth. So let’s talk about the different security types. There is WEP, both 64 and 128 bit, this is an older technology and is most commonly used. Since WEP is older, if you are using older computers or devices chances are they can communicate wirelessly using this type of encryption. The downside to WEP is that it can be broken into by experience hackers, still it does provide good protection against accidental use or the novice hacker trying to have some fun. The WEP password that you will use is either a 13 or 26 hexadecimal number depending on if you are using 64 or 128 bit keys. These are a bit hard to remember you will have to document the key and have it handy if you have guests that bring their laptops and want to access the internet at your house.

If you want to be more secure there is the WPA encryption option that is available on later devices and routers. WPA is more secure and if you are using newer computers and routers is the recommended way to secure your wireless network. WPA uses a pass phrase that you can make up to generate it’s encryption key. This is a little easier to share with people you want to gain access to your network.

To secure your network you must first configure your router by turning on the type of security you want to use and supply the key for the encryption type you choose. There are many types of routers and different instructions for each on how to perform this configuration so I am not going to attempt to explain how to actually to the configuration. It is fairly straight forward and you can consult your routers documentation or web site to get detailed instructions for your particular router.

Once your router has been configured with a key for secure wireless connections, then any wireless devices you have must supply this key in order to connect. This includes any wireless computers or wireless printers you may have. Again these instructions vary by devices, but if you try to connect to a secure wireless network from your computer, you will be prompted to supply the key to connect. Once you successfully connect to the network, the computer will remember the key for this network and you will no longer be asked for it and you will connect automatically in the future.

There are other measures to securing the network that are recommended also, like changing the routers default password and it’ SSID. The SSID is what the router broadcasts as its name so you know what network you are connecting to.

**COMMERCIAL** This blog entry, like my others, is meant to educate and make people aware, not necessarily to make you an expert on security. Securing a wireless network may or may not be something you want to try yourself. HCC has a service that we provide to check the security of your network and secure it if necessary.