How do I Secure My Wireless Network

The question, how do I secure my wireless network, needs to be answered in a stepwise manner. What I mean to say is that, before answering how to secure wireless network, we need to understand the reason, as to why should a wireless network be secured? Let's take a look at the various reasons, which make securing a wireless network of utmost importance.

Why do I Need a Secure Wireless Network?
You need a secure wireless network, because you don't want some unknown person to break into your computer system and extract important information. Wireless networking is indeed very susceptible to computer hacking. Yes, an open wireless network is as good as inviting unauthorized people to join your network and sharing your resources. It allows people an unauthorized access to all the infrastructure, that you have connected to your system. For example, if you have connected a network printer, then the person who has connected to your wireless network in an unauthorized manner, gets an access to the same. He can also access the hard disk backup system, that you have designed for the network. Even worse, the person can get a full access to the Internet access, that you are using in the network. How serious can this problem become? It means that an unknown person can access any number of unauthorized sites and download any unauthorized and illegal stuff, send objectionable mails and what else. I hope, this gives you a clearer understanding and an explanation as to why do we need to set up secure wireless network?

How do I Secure My Wireless Network?
Well, the two basic ways of securing the wireless network, are the WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key and the WPA (Wireless Protected Access) key. First of all, let us take a look at the simplest way to set up secure wireless network. To do so, you have to login into the router base station. The process is simple in most of the cases, by just typing in the IP address 192.168.1.1 at the address space of your web browser. On doing so, you will get a window displayed on the web browser, with the wireless security option. Click on the wireless security feature and select WEP or WPA key. Now, you can set a password out here. Once you enter the password or pass phrase, it automatically generates the hexadecimal keys, which can be used for logging into the network.

However, it is always advisable that you use the WPA key. WPA and WPA2 protocols are far more secure than the WEP. They have a way of dynamically changing the generated keys, which makes hacking the WPA keys nearly impossible. However, if you are using an old router, this option may not be available to you. In such cases, you can use 128 bit WEP keys. Always use a strong and long password for encryption purposes. If the process of logging into your router setup does not work, then simply connect the router using a USB connector to your computer. On doing so, you can have access to the same options.

When you want to set up secure wireless networks in Windows XP, you can simply do so during the wireless network setting up procedure. When you give the name of your wireless network or SSID in the 'Wireless Network Setup Wizard' you can simply specify that you want a network key and you can also check that you want a WAP key instead of a WEP key. In the next dialog box you can type in the WAP key and select the option for storing the option in a USB flash drive. The wireless network connection wizard will then prompt you to enter the flash drive. Once you plug in the flash drive, all the wireless network security options will be written onto your USB flash drive. If you are using a laptop computer with Windows XP installed in it, you can simply plug in the USB flash drive at the USB port. You will be prompted to install the network settings into your computer and you have to simply press OK. In case of a desktop and router configuration, switch on your router and plug in the USB flash drive. It will take approximately 40 seconds, and your secured wireless network will be setup.

Another way of securing a wireless network is by the use of VPN(Virtual Private Network). There are various companies that provide this service. Using a VPN, means allowing your encrypted data to flow through secured tunnels, provided by the service providers. There are various VPN service providers and you can connect with any of them to get a secured wireless network.

The processes mentioned above are the easiest and simplest way to answer the question, how to secure wireless network. Many of us do not take these simple necessary steps. We feel that setting up a firewall is enough to secure our wireless network connection. But the answer is no. Setting up a firewall can protect your computer from being infiltrated, but it has no restriction on someone who is trying to access your wireless network. So, follow these simple steps and enjoy a secured wireless network.