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Use a Wireless Access Point, Router or Gateway with built-in Security
A fundamental element of setting up a secure wireless network is to choose a wireless access point, router or gateway that arrives with built-in security. Built-in security includes the wireless security protocols and a built-in firewall. See detailed explanations below.
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Wired Equivalent Protocol (WEP)
WEP is a wireless security protocol that helps to protect your information by using a security setting (called a WEP key) to encrypt (translate into an unknown language) all network traffic before it is transmitted over your wireless network. This prevents unwanted hackers from accessing the data being sent and received.
WEP encryption is available in 3 strengths from NETGEAR: 64-bit - standard strength, 128-bit, which is stronger encryption using more characters and therefore harder to decipher and the latest addition 152-bit, which is even stronger. Activate the highest WEP encryption available and a password within the application settings on all your wireless devices.
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Wi-Fi Protected Access™ (WPA)
WPA is the latest and greatest wireless security protocol. Similar to WEP, WPA uses security settings to encrypt and decrypt data that is transmitted over your wireless network using keys.
However, instead of using one static security key, WPA creates a new key for every packet (segment) of data sent or received across your wireless network. WPA also generates different sets of keys for each computer, to increase protection. You cannot have WEP and WPA set up on the same wireless device, choose WPA if all of your wireless devices are WPA enabled. WPA can be set-up in your wireless device application settings.
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Firewalls - Built into Wireless Routers & Gateways
A firewall helps to protect your wireless network against malicious intensions and uninvited requests for information. The firewall acts as the first line of defence; it checks both data and requests for data that are sent to your network and stops any suspicious items from entering your network.
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MAC Authentication
In your wireless devices' security settings you can set up a list of authorised computers to access your wireless network. Each computer is uniquely identified by a MAC address that is assigned by the PC's or Laptop's manufacturer. You can set-up a list of MAC addresses as part of an access point, router or gateway configuration.
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Set Ambiguous Passwords
Do not set passwords that are easy to decipher in your wireless device settings and on your computer. Instead set ambiguous passwords containing a mixture of different numbers, characters and punctuation marks, which increases protection of your wireless network. The longer the password the better, also avoid using passwords that can be easily guessed. Try not use personal references to help you remember, but if you do mix in punctuation characters or a combination of upper and lower case characters.
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Non-Disclosure
Keep passwords and logins a secret; not share them with anyone. Do not write passwords or logins down and ensure that you change them every few months. Use different passwords for different purposes, i.e. do not use the same password for your online banking account that you use to access Yahoo! or MSN Hotmail email.
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Physical Positioning of Wireless Devices
Try not to position wireless routers, gateways or access points close to windows or doors. If possible, position them towards the middle of your home to decrease the strength of the wireless radio signal that may extend to outside your home perimeter.
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Use Network Address Translation (NAT)
Use a wireless access point, router or gateway that uses NAT. NAT hides the Internet Protocol or IP Address of each computer. (An IP address is a number used to identify a computer that is connected to a network or the Internet). NAT makes it more difficult for hackers to gain unauthorised access to your wireless network.
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Install & Use Anti-virus software
Each time you bring files, particularly from unknown sources into your wireless network, such as email attachments or downloaded files from the Internet you run the risk of getting a computer virus, passed on either maliciously or accidentally. Viruses can come in many forms and are best protected against by installing anti-virus software onto your computer. An anti-virus application will monitor all incoming files, emails, web pages and automatically quarantine suspicious items and notify you.
Once an anti-virus program is installed scan all your disk drives for viruses immediately and then periodically after that. Also remember to update the program regularly - pay attention to the bulletins issued by the manufacturer, and scan all disks and CDs when you first insert them into your computer. Also as an extra precaution, do not open email attachments from unknown sources.
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Service Set ID (SSID)
Wireless access points, routers and gateways are delivered with default SSID password settings set by the manufacturer. SSIDs are names or descriptions used to differentiate networks from one another. Finding a device with the default SSID signals an unguarded network. Change this defaulted password to an ambiguous one - use long, non-meaningful strings of characters, including letters, numbers and symbols. It is also a good idea to disable 'the broadcast' mode in which access points and routers periodically transmit their SSIDs.
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