It is probably the case these days that most home and office networks are running wirelessly, taking advantage of the convenience and benefits a wireless network brings.

However, and very worryingly, we have experienced a number of issues lately where wireless networks have not been properly set up by businesses and were therefore running the risk of a security breech.

Wireless networks, when properly configured, can actually offer a far higher level of security than wired networks. But it is vital to have the network set up by an expert from the outset so as to avoid serious problems that could have far reaching consequences for your business or personal data and privacy.

Keep your Resources Safe

Resources can be anything from your internet service to your software. If your wireless network is not secure, anyone nearby can connect to it. Not only does this mean they will take advantage of the internet access that you pay for, they could also find their way into your data, e-mail and anything else they can lay their hands on.

It is commonly thought that wireless routers are secure by default: this is not true! They need to be set up to be secure and simply hiding your network ID (SSID) is not good enough.

How to Secure a Wireless Network

The best way to ensure security is to get help from an experienced IT professional in setting up your network. This is particularly important if you are running a business. They will ensure:

Your admin password is re-set to something strong enough to prevent unauthorised access Your wireless router is physically secured so as to prevent tampering Suitable authentication and encryption are used

 

Secure your business and personal information by securing your wireless network; don’t think your wireless router is secure just because it says so on the pack. Take appropriate steps to set up your network so that it protects you, and if you are unsure how to do this, seek professional IT advice.

When using a wireless system, there are countless security concerns to be aware of, many of which require the system to be patched regularly to keep it up to date. Patches should be applied to both the operating systems and the applications, or the system will still be vulnerable. Keeping your wireless system patched gives hackers few places to get inside as well as warding off the new types of attacks that are being developed. While security patching is of the utmost importance, few companies are offering information about the security that is needed for wireless systems.

One of the threats that wireless users face is MAC spoofing. There are programs that allow hackers to “sniff” the traffic on the network and find MAC addresses that have privileges on wireless networks. This allows the sniffers to get through the MAC filtering systems that allow specific MACs to get that access. By using software that allows their own computer to pretend it has the MAC address it has sniffed out, it then has the same access to the network.

Another threat to wireless data is using WEP, which is notoriously easy to crack. WEP is an attempt to give wireless networks the same kind of encryption that a wired system has. The encryption, however, is not as secure as most people believe. The encryption is flawed and can be hacked within minutes. It’s often the subject of hacking attempts both for its ease and because it’s been around so long that just about any wireless device supports it.

To get a better level of protection, use WPA2 instead. WPA2 adds a much stronger layer of protection to your wireless security than by simply using WEP. In its second generation, provides more than just encryption- it also provides a controlled access entry. Using the network requires the use of a lengthy password that is unlikely to be hacked. The passwords to gain access can be up to 63 characters, making it easy to come up with one that will be virtually impenetrable. Of course, this is dependant on using a unique password that has never been found in any printed or online work.

If you use a wireless system often, leaving it running at all times to keep it available can be tempting. But, keeping the broadcast running around the clock only increases the amount of time it can be the object of an attack. If you turn off the network at times when you won’t be using it, you can remove some of its vulnerable time.

Using the system out of the box without implementing these strategies leaves it unsecured and vulnerable. If you run your system with WPA2, choosing a long password, and couple that with running the system only when it’s needed and patch your system often, you have a much better chance of keeping your system from being hacked. And if the system does come under attack, have an intrusion detection device in place. The standard products used for wired networks don’t always translate into the same service for wireless ones, so use one that is specifically for wireless networks.

It is a fact that businesses are becoming increasingly dependent on the use of computers and the internet. Indeed, not only has such technology enhanced the efficiency of many operations, but it has also proved to be very cost-effective. Space is no longer an issue, with employees being able to work remotely, as geographical boundaries have all but been removed.

Over the years, there have been advancements in technology, which have worked to further improve efficiency. As a result, there are a number of devices and tools on the market that are helping businesses to operate more smoothly and cost-efficiently.

Take wireless networks as a prime example. In addition to removing the need for an office to be strewn with many cables, it is also possible to be connected to the internet almost anywhere. As a result, employees can work almost any place, and at any time.

Using similar technological principles as mobile phones and televisions, wireless networks use radio waves to transmit data. Through the use of a wireless adapter, which is connected to a laptop or desktop computer, data is translated into a radio signal and transmitted to a wireless router via an antenna. After receiving the signal, the router then decodes it and sends the information to the internet.

In order to become connected, it is essential that the computer or laptop has the right equipment. However, in comparison to traditional cable connections, where one usually requires someone to install it, it is simple to set up a wireless connection. In fact, many of the computers and laptops that have become available on the market in recent times already come with a built-in wireless adapter. And if not, it is also possible to easily purchase a plug-in version.

Once installed, the computer or laptop should then be able to automatically locate the necessary networks available. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to employ the use of a software programme, in order to detect them.

When considering the use of wireless, it is important to understand the different wireless LAN standards out there. Currently there are three available – 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g – although in the future this number will increase.

The most popular networks are based on 802.11b, which was made available in 1999. Although it has the slowest maximum speed, supporting up to 11 megabits per second (mps), it is also the most cost-effective option.

802.11a will provide you with faster speed – 54 mbps – and can support more concurrent users at one time, but it offers a smaller transmission range. 802.11g on the other hand, is a relatively recent development and works to combine the best of both 802.11b and 802.11a.

But regardless of which wireless LAN you opt for, it is important to consider the needs of your business. Therefore, before you get connected to any wireless networks, make sure you consider all of the necessary options.