1. Brianne Stewart

2.   A wireless network is any computer network that is not connected with a cable  Many homes use this type of internet access  Less expensive than having to buy cables to connect your devices  Transmitted via radio waves Wireless Networks

3.   Wireless HAN (Home Area Network)  Wireless LAN (Local Area Network)  Wireless MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)  Wireless WAN (Wide Area Network)  The different types depend on the area the network is covering Types of Wireless Networks

4.   A router is a device that forwards data packets between networks  Routers help home computers connect to the internet Routers

5.   People usually rush to get their internet up and working, causing the security of their network to suffer  Many security problems can result if you do not properly set up protection for your network Setting up a Wireless Network

6.  1.Change default administrator password 2.Turn on WPA/WEP encryption 3.Change the default SSID 4.Enable MAC address filtering 5.Disable SSID broadcast 6.Disable auto-connecting to open Wi-Fi networks 7.Assign fixed IP address 8.Firewalls 9.Position router safely 10.Turn off network during long periods of non-use Steps to Protect Your Wireless Network

7.   The first step in protecting your network is to change the default administrator username and password  The login given is usually simple and easily picked up by internet hackers  Change it immediately Default Password

8.   Encryption is a form of technology that scrambles messages sent over wireless networks  You want to pick the strongest form you can find  All devices on your network must share the same encryption WPA/WEP Encryption

9.   Most manufactures give their products the same SSID  Example: SSID for Linksys is ‘linksys’  This makes it easier for someone to connect to your network  Change it immediately Default SSID

10.   Routers keep track of the MAC addresses of all the devices that connect to them  Setting up your router to only recognize the MAC addresses of your devices will help restrict your network MAC Address Filtering

11.   Wireless routers will broadcast your SSID over the air  This roaming feature will increase the chances of someone logging on to your network  This can be disabled easily Disable SSID Broadcast

12.   Do not auto-connect to open Wi-Fi networks  This will expose you to security risks  Computers may access this feature automatically without the user realizing so it is important to make sure this is turned off Auto-Connecting

13.   Most people on a home network will use a dynamic IP address, but it is too easy for hackers to get ahold of these  Instead use a static, or fixed, IP address  A private IP address range should be used IP Address

14.   Used to protect networks from unwanted access  Most routers now come with firewalls built in, but to be safe you need to check and make sure it is turned on Firewalls

15.   Avoid leakage  The farther this signal reaches, the easier it is for someone else to get on your network  Center your router in your home to minimize leakage Position of the Router

16.   During extended periods of non-use, your network should be turned off  This is the ultimate way of protecting your network, but it is impractical to do it every time you get off the internet Turing off the Network

17.   If you do not have a secure network it is easy for hackers to take control  Follow the simple steps to secure your network and it will be harder for anyone other than you to log in to your network Why it is important

18.   http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelesssec urity/tp/wifisecurity.htm Sources