Don Cummings asked:




A wireless home network brings many benefits – all the family can access the Internet simultaneously, you can use a laptop anywhere within the radius of the wireless network, freeing you from physical constraints, you don’t have to string Cat-5 cabling throughout your house (no holes in the wall either!) – but a wi-fi network also brings it’s own set of security problems. The following recommendations itemise the steps which should be taken to improve your wi-fi network’s security.

1. Put the access point in a central position

Wi-Fi signals radiate from the router or access point, so positioning the access device as centrally as possible achieves two objectives. Firstly it ensures that the wi-fi signal will reach all areas in your house, and secondly it will minimize the amount of signal leakage beyond your property. This is important to minimize the chance of drive-by access to your system. If your signal can be accessed by someone in the street, it may be detected and exploited by unscrupulous people, and if your network security is not sufficient, they may even be able to access your confidential information.

2. Enable an Encryption Scheme for devices on your network

All Wi-Fi equipment supports some form of encryption which makes messages sent over a wireless network less likely to be read by an external entity. Available encryption schemes vary, with WEP being the weakest (and oldest) and WPA -  and now WPA2 -  being stronger and better. You can’t mix and match, though, as all wi-fi devices on your network must use the same encryption scheme. WEP may be not as good as the WPA settings, but remember that it’s far better than no encryption at all.

3. Choose new default Usernames and Administrator Passwords

An Access Point or Router is the heart of a home wi-fi network. These come from the factory with default administrator usernames and passwords. Manufacturers set both the account username and password at the factory. The admin account allows a user to enter network addresses and account information. The username is often simply the word admin or administrator. The password is typically blank or consists of the words “admin”, “public” or “password”. Hackers are well aware of these defaults and if you don’t change them, there is a grave danger of leaving your network open to access by a baddie. As soon as you set up your access point or router, change the admin username and password and it’s a good idea to change them on a regular basis, say every 30 to 60 days.

4. Change the default SSID name

Manufacturers of wi-fi access points and routers normally ship their products with a default network name (the SSID). SSID stands for Service Set Identifier, which is a 32-character sequence that uniquely identifies a wireless LAN. In other words, the SSID is the name of the wireless network. In order for a wireless device to connect to a wireless network it must know the SSID of the wireless network in question. If you plug your wireless router or access point in and leave the default SSID, it won’t take long for an attacker to determine what the SSID is. As soon as you configure your access point or router, change the SSID to a unique name that will be difficult to guess.

5. Disable SSID Broadcasting

SSID broadcasting by your access point or router occurs every few seconds and is intended to allow users to find, identify and connect to wi-fi networks. If you have a wireless device, this feature allows you to discover which networks are within range, and what their names are. It’s the first step to connecting to a wi-fi network. This feature is not necessary in a home network, however, and is undesirable since it allows external entities to discover your network’s SSID. It is strongly advised that home network users disable this feature in order to improve the security of your wi-fi network.

6. Enable MAC Address filtering

The functionality known as Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering uses a computer’s physical hardware. Each computer has its own unique MAC address. MAC address filtering allows the network administrator to enter a list of MAC addresses that are allowed to communicate on the network. It also allows the network administrator to deny access to any MAC address not specifically allowed onto the network. This method is very secure, but if you buy a new computer or if visitors to your home want to use your network, you’ll need to add the new machine’s MAC address to the list of approved addresses.

7. Assign Static IP Addresses to Devices

Static IP address assignment (sometimes also called fixed addressing) is an alternative to dynamic addressing (called DHCP) on Internet Protocol networks. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is an Internet protocol for automating the configuration of computers that use TCP/IP. DHCP can be used to automatically assign IP addresses to devices connected to your wi-fi network.. Dynamic addressing is convenient. It also allows mobile computers to more easily move between different networks. Unfortunately, this can work to the advantage of hackers, who can get valid IP addresses from your network’s DHCP pool. To avoid this possibility, turn off DHCP on your access point or router and assign a fixed IP address to each device on the network.

8. Enable hardware and software Firewalls on your network

Most routers these days contain built-in hardware firewall capabilities, but it’s also recommended that each computer (PC or laptop) connected to your wi-fi network should have its own personal software firewall installed. A software firewall will protect your computer from intrusion by scanning incoming messages and blocking suspicious traffic from entering your system. It will also prevent unauthorized outgoing messages which may prevent Trojans on your system from sending your valuable information to a hacker.

9. Disable automatic connection to open Wi-Fi networks

If your wi-fi enabled device detects an open (i.e. unsecured) wi-fi network, such as a free wireless hotspot or even a neighbors unsecured network, it may connect automatically without informing you. For example, on Windows XP computers having Wi-Fi connections managed by the operating system, the setting is called “Automatically connect to non-preferred networks.” Once connected, you could be exposing your system to a security risk. Disable all automatic connections, or at least only allow connection once you have been informed and have approved the connection.

10. Shut down your network when you’re not using it

If your wi-fi network isn’t turned on, hackers can’t get to it. This is possibly the very best way to avoid security problems. Of course, if it’s turned off, you can’t use it either… However, consider turning off your wireless system during periods of non-use, such as vacations, if you are away from home on business, or any other periods when you know you won’t be using it.

James Millway asked:


Wireless networks and routers are becoming more ubiquitious by the day. Many people are exchanging their traditional cabled networks with wireless as it provides many benefits. For example, users aren’t physically limited to one area as the radio waves of wireless networks can be broadcasted around the whole premises. However, there will always be problems which comes with benefits. One major problem is that many people don’t secure their wireless (wi-fi) networks. This allows people who are within the distances of the router broadcast limit to easily piggybank your connections. Why is this a problem? They’ll be stealing your internet bandwidth, making your internet connection slower. They may also take part in illegal activities such as downloading movies and musics from P2P networks and who gets  the blame if the cops find out? You. Because its your network. So how do you secure your wireless (wi-fi) networks and routers? Here are some tips.



1. Secure your wireless administration interface

All wireless routers should come with a  wireless administration interface. It allows you to many important jobs such as changing your wireless security router and modifying ports. How do you access the wireless administration interface? You have to first find out your Network Gateway number. Start run, and type in ‘cmd’. This should open the command inteface. Now, type in ‘ipconfig/all’ and a list of numbers should appear. Look for your default gateway number and note it down. Now open up an internet browser and type in http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx. The xs are your default gateway number. Enter your password and username, should be in your router manuals, and change your password to something secure.



2. Don’t broadcast your SSID

The SSID (Service Set Identifier) is a name used to specifically identy a wireless router. For example, your SSID Router would be ‘John’s router’ if you set it that way. If you want your wireless network to be private then don’t broadcast your SSID. Most wireless administration interface should give you the option to disable SSID broadcast.

3. Enable WEP encyrption protection

Include a WEP security protocol. This is basically a passwrod to unlock your network. Make it difficult to guess. Include upper case, lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Your WEP encryption password should be 13 letters long. Again, check the wireless router inteface to change your password (do you get how important it is now?).

4. Reduce your wireless transmiting power



Nowadays, you can get wireless standards 802.11g and 802.11n. These networks can brodcast radio waves as far as 25 metres or more. If all your computers are in one room then reduce yoru wireless transmitting power so that only computers in that specific room has access to the wirelesss network. Unfortunately, this feature isn’t available for all routing software programs. Search up your router model and see if it has it.



5. Use MAC filtering



Yoru MAC address (Media Access Control) address is a number which uniquely identifies a device in a network. So your laptop/computer will have a unique MAC address in a network. Turning on MAC filtering allows you to only enable certain devices to connect to your network. How do you filter? You’ll first need to identify the MAC addresses of all the devices which you want connected to the network then use the wireless router administration panel to exclude them from the filter.

Sarah Jones19 asked:


What is it?

A Wi-Fi router is a wireless gadget that connects two or more computers with each other or to a whole network. It may happen that a user has a wireless network at home or at office. One can find wireless network environment (Wi-Fi hotspot) in an international airport or a café or in some campus. This wireless network is always enabled by a wireless router, which sends data from one computer to another or to a different network. This router helps two or more computers to become connected with each other irrespective of their different position.

Before a user takes up the decision of finally buying a wireless router, it is necessary to compare different models of the device and check their specifications. D-link is a company which produces high-performance wireless routers. Apart from that, Linksys, Netgear, and Belkin also offer excellent Wi-Fi routers.

Types of Wi-Fi routers

Different types of Wi-Fi routers are available in the market.  The Linksys wireless-G broadband router and the belkin router are almost similar in their ways of functioning. These routers have a Wi-Fi access points that enables a user to get connected with the G and B wireless network. The routers connect wired Ehernet network to the wireless one. The Wi-Fi devices which are on the same network share a super-fast internet connection. The wireless router of Linksys is a very popular router. It is almost like a divider for an internet connection. As long as the internet connection is there, the router enables all computers to work simultaneously. With the help of wireless-B router, all the computers can be connected to one another.

Product reviews

Before purchasing a wireless router, a user should go through product reviews. With the help of Wi-Fi router, broadband VoIP service is available in long-distance communications. These connections help to access the internet as well as voice communications over the network. The Wi-Fi router antenna is a very important part of it. This antenna actually intensifies the radio signals coming from other devices from other devices on the network. A long-range Wi-Fi router always uses a wireless antenna.

Manufacturers

Micronet is a company which is a big manufacturer of wireless network products. They have come out with their new router- SP916GK. This router is ranked at a very high place for its superb performance, and it has the latest technology implanted in for home and office usage. More than one user can enjoy the internet connection through a single ADSL. The router has an innate DHCP server which is a simplified IP management system as well as provides a firewall for securing the whole LAN.

Sarah Jones19 asked:


A good antenna is the most important thing to get a microwave radio performance. It is the integral part of the system though manufacturers see it as a necessary evil. Today, the approach has changed a lot with the designers paying more and more attention to the antenna. Smart antennas settle in existing environment and the function and transmission of the system gets optimized. This is actually a new piece of equipment in their portfolio.

In that stratum, the Javelin chip from semiconductor company Motia implements these antennas for Wi-Fi  products. This device is grouped with of an array of four antennas. It can widen the range of any 802.11b/g transceiver by four times at most. It can also develop the entire system performance as well as quality of service of the Wi-Fi product.  

Generally, Wi-Fi products offer coverage up to 100 meters (over 300 feet). But barriers like walls, floors and ceilings can shorten this range. Reflections from multiple objects and other obstacles can also shorten the range. More over, as the range is inadequate, connectivity speed mechanically drops as signal quality depreciates.

To get rid of this problem, the Javelin is placed between the four-antenna array and the input is given to the wi-fi transceiver chip. The chip uses an appliqué architecture that allows the technology to be used in any access point or client widget.

The Javelin actually outfits an array of four antennas which is similar to the two antenna range configurations which are now generally used on some access points. Through the receive mode, the signals at each antenna are converted to a received-signal strength indicator (RSSI) value. The RSSI is then evaluated and then grouped to bring out the strongest doable output to the amplifier of the Wi-Fi chip set. In case you are unable to understand there are various online PC support companies  that help you to do the same.

In the broadcast mode, the signal from the transceiver is separated in four segments. Each of those signals is transferred and amplified by the profile distinct by the received signal before being transmitted. This results in a 13-dB increase over a single antenna. The overall gain mounts up to 18 dB as the javelin is used at both ends of the system.

This fully analog device is compatible with both 802.11b and 802.11g systems and can work with any Wi-Fi product.

Sarah Jones19 asked:


A good antenna is the most important thing to get a microwave radio performance. It is the integral part of the system though manufacturers see it as a necessary evil. Today, the approach has changed a lot with the designers paying more and more attention to the antenna. Smart antennas settle in existing environment and the function and transmission of the system gets optimized. This is actually a new piece of equipment in their portfolio.

In that stratum, the Javelin chip from semiconductor company Motia implements these antennas for Wi-Fi  products. This device is grouped with of an array of four antennas. It can widen the range of any 802.11b/g transceiver by four times at most. It can also develop the entire system performance as well as quality of service of the Wi-Fi product.  

Generally, Wi-Fi products offer coverage up to 100 meters (over 300 feet). But barriers like walls, floors and ceilings can shorten this range. Reflections from multiple objects and other obstacles can also shorten the range. More over, as the range is inadequate, connectivity speed mechanically drops as signal quality depreciates.

To get rid of this problem, the Javelin is placed between the four-antenna array and the input is given to the wi-fi transceiver chip. The chip uses an appliqué architecture that allows the technology to be used in any access point or client widget.

The Javelin actually outfits an array of four antennas which is similar to the two antenna range configurations which are now generally used on some access points. Through the receive mode, the signals at each antenna are converted to a received-signal strength indicator (RSSI) value. The RSSI is then evaluated and then grouped to bring out the strongest doable output to the amplifier of the Wi-Fi chip set. In case you are unable to understand there are various online PC support companies  that help you to do the same.

In the broadcast mode, the signal from the transceiver is separated in four segments. Each of those signals is transferred and amplified by the profile distinct by the received signal before being transmitted. This results in a 13-dB increase over a single antenna. The overall gain mounts up to 18 dB as the javelin is used at both ends of the system.

This fully analog device is compatible with both 802.11b and 802.11g systems and can work with any Wi-Fi product.