7 Tips To Stay More Secure When Connected To Wireless Networks

A wireless network allows a user to access the internet connection without cables. They are the same as LANs except there are no wires. Instead, radio frequencies are used to transmit data to all the network’s attached devices. To make a connection to the wireless network, a computer must have permission for network access and be outfitted with a wireless network card. It would be fair to say that a wireless network allows for much more freedom of movement, save on expenses and time while also boosting productivity.

However, browsing the internet when connected to a wireless network isn’t a bed of roses: if the wireless network is not properly protected, people can hack into the network, use your internet connection and gain access to your personally identifiable information.

So what can you do to stay safe? Here are seven tips to protect yourself while connected to a wireless network.

1. Allowing encrypting of data
2. Changing the service set identifier SSID
3. Allowing filtering of MAC
4. Using firewalls
5. Using Virtual Private Network VPN
6. Stop Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Internet Protocol (IP) Address
7. Never use the Public spots where they offer Wi-Fi.

Allowing Encryption of Data
The process of encoding data exchanged between your PC and your wireless server is referred to as encryption of data. It is the best method of protecting your data from others while on a wireless connection, and don’t forget that using some form of encryption helps keep random people so your network performs well. Many of the wireless routers have inbuilt encrypting mechanisms. To allow encryption of data, one should refer to their product manual. The two most common encryption protocols are listed below:

1. WEP encryption protocol
2. WPA encryption protocol

WEP Encryption Protocol
WEP means Wired Equipment Privacy and is a protocol formulated to give your wireless network the same degree of protection from would-be hackers as offered by traditional wired networks. Several weaknesses have been identified in WEP protocol, so it is not totally effective but it does work with the older generation of wireless routers.

WPA Encryption Protocol
WPA means Wireless Protected Access and is a more secure protocol than the WEP encryption protocol. It applies the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKTP) for encrypting data. The encryption key that this protocol uses changes actively, which makes it much more challenging for anyone who could be a potential attacker looking to gain access to your data. Also, WPA networks require passwords and Pre Shared Keys (PSK) for any computers that try accessing the network.

It is important to note that WPA users are required to use devices that are compatible with the WPA protocol. WPA 2 succeeded WPA and is a protocol used to protect data transmission and wireless network users from hackers. It is found in two editions:

1. Personal – this edition secures the network from hackers by requesting for a password for setup.
2. Enterprise – this edition confirms the users of your network using a server.

Changing the Service Set Identifier (SSID)
The Service Set Identification (SSID) is used to recognize one’s wireless network: it’s akin to the wireless network’s digital name tag. You should change the default SSID number and password to protect the network. Most wireless devices including routers offer an option of changing the SSID number and password. To find out how you can change the SSID number and password of your router, you can read the instructions from the router manual.

To increase the strength of protection, it is important to include numbers, letters and special characters like @, ^ ~, or # in the passwords. To secure personal information, you should also stop the broadcast aspect of SSID.

Allow MAC Filtering
Media Access Filter (MAC) is used to determine the users who are permitted to use your network. When MAC filtering is enabled, one can give access only to the devices that are pre-configured in the wireless router.

The following steps will assist you in finding your network adapter Mac address in Windows.

1. Click on Start the click Run
2. Enter the letters Cmd in the open box provided and click on OK
3. Type ipconfig /all in the window of command prompt and then Enter
4. The physical address revealed on your adapter is your MAC address

It is important to note that enabling MAC filtering on your setup may differ, though in many cases it is done by opening and modifying the security settings of your wireless software.

Using Firewalls
For blocking of spyware and malware, it is important to use a firewall on the wireless router. A firewall protects the network from hackers and also protects computers connected to the network. In addition to general firewall protection, it is advisable that one runs a private firewall on each computer connected to the wireless network. If you rely on a free VoIP service such as Skype for communication, test your firewall configuration to make sure you can still make and receive calls.

The following are important steps that are following when turning ON the firewall connection on a Windows XP system:

1. Click on Start then on Control Panel to show the control panel of the Windows system.
2. Double-click on Network Connections.
3. Right click on your Network Connections and click on properties.
4. Select the advanced tab below Windows Firewall and click on settings to show the Windows firewall dialog box.
5. Select ON in the general tab and then click OK.

To better protect yourself, it is advisable to look out for the latest updates from Microsoft and install them. They are installed using the following steps:

1. Click on Start then on Control Panel to show the control panel of the Windows system.
2. Double-click on Windows Security Center.
3. Select the automatic updates and click on OK.
4. On the screen of Windows Security Center, below resources, click on check for the latest updates from Windows Update.
5. The Windows Update website appears. Click on Express for downloading and installation of any updates that could be available.

Using VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection will allow you to link to your corporate network using the internet and it will also allow you to view your work files at home. It is a more secure option since it connects only the users who are authorized to your network.

Virtual Private Networks make tunnels that are used to transmit the encrypted data, a method of transmission referred to as tunneling. The tunnel connects two computers and since there is encryption of the data transmitted, there is no way data can be intercepted and misused.

The following steps are important in the configuration of VPN connections in a corporate network that uses the Microsoft Windows XP environment:

1. Click on Start then on Control Panel to show the control panel of the Windows system.
2. Click on the Network and Internet Connections and click on Network Connections.
3. Click on create a new connection to show the new connection wizard.
4. Select next to continue in the new connection wizard.
5. Click on connect to the network at my workplace option being the type of network connection and then select next.
6. Click on virtual private network connection being your network connection and select next.
7. Key in your company name in the box of company name and select next.
8. Select the do not dial the initial connection option and select next.
9. Key in the IP address or the host name of the computer that you are connecting in the box of host name or IP address and select next.
10. Click on anyone’s use if you intent to share the connection with other users, otherwise, click my use only.
11. Click on next and finish to finish the process.

To use the created VPN connection, carry out the following steps:

1. Click on Start and then connect to, and then select the created connection.
2. Feed your username and password in the dialog box written connect to and then click on connect to start connection.

Stop DHCP IP Address
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a protocol used by routers to dynamically give IP addresses to computers on the entire wireless network. Wireless devices that are in the neighborhood of one’s wireless network may also get IP addresses from one’s router. To avoid such a situation, one should stop the DHCP IP address generation functionality and activate static IP addresses to protect the network. You’ll find details on how to disable DHCP functions in the network router manual.

Note: it is advisable to keep the router shut down when it is not in use to protect it from hackers.

Avoid Using Public WiFi Hotspots
Wireless internet access is offered in many public places like hotels, airports and fast food restaurants. While these are often very useful, they may also be used by hackers to access personal data on connected computers.

If you do use a public WiFi hotspot when on the road it is important to remember on the following points:

1. Never disclose your credit card number
2. Never disclose your password and other such information
3. Never do any online banking transactions
4. Turn off file and printer sharing
5. Mark all folders as private