Securing your wireless network

If you use a wireless router, I have some suggestions on keeping your network more safe and secure. It will also prevent others from "smooching" off your internet connection. A year or two ago, I went anywhere with my laptop and was able to get a wireless internet connection from a neighboring, unsecured wireless router. It was so easy, I didnt even have to configure anything since Windows XP automatically connected to the strongest signal. All I did was turn on my laptop and voila...I was online. Today, to my surprise, wireless routers are actually being locked down and secured. Is your's secured? Here are some simple tips that can be done in your router configuration.

1. Change the default username/password - If someone gets on your wireless network, it would be easy for them to log into your router using the default username/password and then they can mess with your DNS settings. That would potentially give them full control over the sites you visit.
   
2. Dont broadcast SSID - That way people cant even see your router.


3. Use maximum encryption - I think the most secure now is WPA2. WEP is not that secure.


4. Filter by MAC address - This takes a little more work and management, but is probably the best thing you can do to secure your network. Even if someone knows your SSID and password, they still wont be able to get in. By specifying this option, the router will only allow access to laptops that you specify. To find the MAC address on your laptop, just go into your command prompt and type in "ipconfig". Make sure you choose the MAC address of your wireless card and not your ethernet. Yes, that means everytime, you have a new laptop or your friend/family brings their laptop over, you will need to add their MAC address to the router's allowed list.

Read this article on more ways to secure your wireless network. But I think the ones I mentioned above are good enough. Anything more might be overkill.