Wireless security Who is stealing your Broadband connection?
March 1st 2011 11:02
Category: Equipment
Typical Wi-Fi router with wireless internet facility
I am amazed at how many people are operating home computers without any form of Wi-Fi security.
I can access on average 4 out 10 computers just in my neighbourhood alone.
I’m not just talking about virus protection I am referring to connections that use wireless networks.
Whether you use any form of Wi-Fi encryption or not is immaterial, the Wi-Fi device will work regardless.
What most people don’t fully realize while they are blissfully surfing the net that they are carrying “parasites”.
These parasites will use up your broadband allocation in no time leaving you to pay the bill not to mention spying on your internet surfing habits.
Without any form of Wi-Fi encryption you are venerable to other parasites stealing your user name log in details and personal identities, even bank account information.
Picking up other peoples internet signal is like tuning in a radio, all you need is a Wi-Fi sniffer.
If all this sound a bit scary it should be.
There is no excuse not to be protected form unwanted Wi-Fi “ parasites”.
Most wireless modems have an encryption setting built in to the system.
However when you buy a wireless router most are slightly different. Routers installed in homes allow other home uses to log into the net using the Wi-Fi facility. The problem is that in most cases the Wi-Fi encryption component is not activated.
Routers have a password facility to allow an administrator or user to change settings.
Most generic passwords on routers are usually password: password or user password.
All a parasite needs to do is type in “password”: “password”or “user password” and they are in your system looking at your files and information in most cases without you even knowing they are there.
Business and corporations are not immune a “parasite “could sit out in the parking lot and gather info from it through laptops and/or other devices as handhelds, or even break in through this wireless card-equipped laptop and gain access to the wired network.
How do I protect my computer form “Parasites”?
If you not comfortable with changing settings on your computer I suggest you call a professional.
For some of you who would like to least have a look at their settings there are a few thing you can do.
If you have an operating system like Windows perhaps the most common operating system in use at this time.
There are many different types of operating systems in use, for the purpose of simplification I will base the procedure on Windows XP Pro.
• Step 1 place mouse on the Windows start icon located usually on the bottom left of screen, select RUN
.
• Step 2 a little box will open type in the letters CMD then enter.
type CMD
• Step 3 a black boarder box will appear: in this box type in these letters ipconf /all
Make sure you have a space between ( ipconfig and /all)
• Step 4 in the black boarder box there should be some information that should look like something like this.
I.P. address will show up
The only thing we are interested in knowing is the IP Address seen as my ip number is something like this 192.168.1.100 this IP address given for your router write this number down.
• Step 5 go your web browser in the address bar type in your IP address number (something like this 192.168.1.100) you will be taken to you router’s access page enter your user name and password if you have one if not use the generic password and user name supplied by the router manufacturer.
• Step 6 After you have entered you user name and password your router access screen should be visible. Most router’s access pages will look a little different to the one shown in this demonstration although most will have similar categories.
• The one page we are interested in is the Wi-Fi access page.
• Step 7 in the Wi-Fi access page you will see a list of categories that you can alter.
The router access page
In most cases if no Wi-Fi encryption is used these categories will be blank.
However if your system is encrypted then there should be a series of numbers and letters in the setting in this case you don’t need to change anything except your router’s user mane and password.
To encrypt your Wi-Fi connection you need to enter some parameters in the categories listed
( these may vary depending on the make and model of router)
Although most routers will have these setting such as SSID region and channel ect.
The SSID is what you will see on your network or home computer SSID is the name given to the router something like “My home Router.”
The region setting is your general location e.g. USA ,Australia
Channel refers to the wireless frequency if you have several Wi-Fi users they may experience some interference by changing the channels will fix that. ( both the router and the lap-top computer must be on the same channel.)
Mode is the standard used by your router of laptop connection both should be on the same mode.
Enable wireless router should be on.
Enable SSID broadcast you can turn this one off so other “parasites” can’t see your Wi-Fi connection on air.
Enable Wireless security should be ticked.
Security Option should be enabled depending on what option is being chosen
For example I have WEP in my security option.
WEP Key should be set to hexadecimal.
A list of numbers can be placed as the security key these numbers must be the same in both the router and the lap-top computer, the longer the number the less likely it will be cracked by would be “Parasites”
An example of some numbers you can use are ABVT0220F23T42 these numbers must match up on both the router and the lap-top computer.
The BIT rate should be set at 128 bit for both the router and the lap-top or computer in use.
If all goes well your home Wi-Fi network connection should be encrypted!!
I hope this serves as a guide if your not sure of the procedures contact a professional.Users are to use this guide carefully no responsibility taken for lost data or information use at own risk
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Hi James,
It is amazing how much we rely on technology without thinking that our information and privacy may be at risk.