Wireless Internet ("Wireless Fidelity" or "Wi-Fi") is a popular system for granting wireless Internet access to laptop and other PCs using radio waves for distances of 300 to 800 feet. Wi-Fi systems are now used in a great number of people's homes and businesses because of the convenience and cost reduction resulting from not having to run Internet cables all through the building.
However, improperly configured Wi-Fi networks can lead to sensitive data being compromised.
Personal data loss is the most prominent risk associated with unprotected, or improperly configured, Wi-Fi networks. If you use an unprotected Wi-Fi network the following may happen:
• Your email and chat messages may be intercepted.
• Your usernames and passwords for financial and other websites may be intercepted.
• Your website transactions may also be intercepted, exposing your financial or medical data and over sensitive information.
Financial loss often follows the loss of personal data. The theft of credit card, banking and investment accounts is the primary goal of almost all cybercriminals.
Implementing the following steps will help minimize risks to your Wi-Fi network:
• Turn off the "broadcast" of your Wi-Fi logon username (SSID). This will make your system more difficult to spot from a roving hacker's laptop.
• Change your Wi-Fi logon username to an obscure mixture of at least 10 letters and numbers that will not convey personal or business information.
• Set your Wi-Fi Security Option to WPA-2. Set the encryption to Advanced Encryption Standard, AES, which meets requirements for sensitive data. NEVER use WEP encryption. It's too weak.
• Change your Wi-Fi logon password to an obscure mixture of at least 10 letters and numbers.
• Change your Wi-Fi router administration password to an obscure mixture of at least 10 letters and numbers. A surprisingly large number of people leave their password at its initial, factory-set value (often "password"), enabling hackers to seize control of their Wi-Fi networks and steal sensitive data.
• Configure your Wi-Fi router to permit Wi-Fi Internet access only to specific computers.
• Keep your Wi-Fi Router's security software updated.
• Disable "Automatic Wireless Connection". You do not want your laptop PC to automatically connect to any Wi-Fi network in the facility. You could connect to a hacker's system.
• Disable "Internet Connection Sharing." You do not want your laptop acting as a Wireless Application Point (WAP). You could connect to a hacker's system.
• Keep your laptop firewall and anti-virus software constantly updated.
The majority of Internet security breaches can be prevented by proper configuration. A detailed description of procedures for updating your home/business computer security can be found in my new book, "Is Your Computer Bugged?" For more information, go to www.bookartcorner.com.
However, improperly configured Wi-Fi networks can lead to sensitive data being compromised.
Personal data loss is the most prominent risk associated with unprotected, or improperly configured, Wi-Fi networks. If you use an unprotected Wi-Fi network the following may happen:
• Your email and chat messages may be intercepted.
• Your usernames and passwords for financial and other websites may be intercepted.
• Your website transactions may also be intercepted, exposing your financial or medical data and over sensitive information.
Financial loss often follows the loss of personal data. The theft of credit card, banking and investment accounts is the primary goal of almost all cybercriminals.
Implementing the following steps will help minimize risks to your Wi-Fi network:
• Turn off the "broadcast" of your Wi-Fi logon username (SSID). This will make your system more difficult to spot from a roving hacker's laptop.
• Change your Wi-Fi logon username to an obscure mixture of at least 10 letters and numbers that will not convey personal or business information.
• Set your Wi-Fi Security Option to WPA-2. Set the encryption to Advanced Encryption Standard, AES, which meets requirements for sensitive data. NEVER use WEP encryption. It's too weak.
• Change your Wi-Fi logon password to an obscure mixture of at least 10 letters and numbers.
• Change your Wi-Fi router administration password to an obscure mixture of at least 10 letters and numbers. A surprisingly large number of people leave their password at its initial, factory-set value (often "password"), enabling hackers to seize control of their Wi-Fi networks and steal sensitive data.
• Configure your Wi-Fi router to permit Wi-Fi Internet access only to specific computers.
• Keep your Wi-Fi Router's security software updated.
• Disable "Automatic Wireless Connection". You do not want your laptop PC to automatically connect to any Wi-Fi network in the facility. You could connect to a hacker's system.
• Disable "Internet Connection Sharing." You do not want your laptop acting as a Wireless Application Point (WAP). You could connect to a hacker's system.
• Keep your laptop firewall and anti-virus software constantly updated.
The majority of Internet security breaches can be prevented by proper configuration. A detailed description of procedures for updating your home/business computer security can be found in my new book, "Is Your Computer Bugged?" For more information, go to www.bookartcorner.com.