About to install broadband and considering using a wireless network, but need to know system is secure?

Question

Concerned a wireless network may be less secure than a hard wired system. Just for bank account info etc. Want to make sure install best system. Not a serious or big user so don't want to spend a lot. Just want a secure and safe system

Answer 1

You can set up the router to require a password at connection time, so yeah it's secure.

Answer 2

It is illegal to use someone's unsecured wireless connection. There have been two cases recently of people being prosecuted for using someone's wireless broadband. They were caught sitting their cars with laptops. The charge was dishonestly obtaining electronic communications services with intent to avoid payment. They may also be liable for prosecution under the Wireless Telegraphy Act but that wasn't used in these cases. It is also morally wrong. Someone is paying for the service. Just because they don't secure it does not give anybody the right to 'steal' bandwith from them. It's a similar scenario to someone not locking their front door. They may be ingenuous but that still doesn't mean it's ok for a person to walk into the house and take something. Remember, there's never an excuse for theft - of anything, even internet bandwidth. The victim never "asks for it". That's just an excuse given by the unthinking person, or the thief. The choice of whether or not to commit the crime is that of the criminal and theirs alone. Not the victim.

Answer 3

wireless broadband is safer now than ever but you still need to follow some simple rules
make sure that your router is w.e.p(wireless encryption protocol)enabled,this makes it much harder for anyone to steal your bandwidth,which is basically nicking your broadband
w.e.p comes in 64bit and 128bit types and the later being more secure,basically the 128bit is a longer key making it harder for a hacker to get your wep key
i use the bt home hub and apart from some bad press it has had lately,i reckon its one of the most secure wireless hubs avalible,i change my w.e.p key once a week so as to confuse anyone trying to steal any broadband of me
however most wireless broadband routers have very good security built in so dont worry,if you feel you are having bandwidth stolen just change your w.e.p key straight away.or do as i do,once a week
also when using the internet for any private work like inline banking make sure the page you are on is using a ssl(secure socket layer),this is a 128bit encryption which encrypts your data and unencrypts it when it is read by your bank,you will see a small padlock at the bottom right of your screen when this is enabled
good luck

Answer 4

While you should be concerned about the security of wifi, you don't have to worry in the case of online banking. All usernames and passwords for banking and such are strongly encrypted by the bank. Even if someone was capturing all of your wireless trafic when you log onto your banking site, the person listening would have absolutely no usable info on you or your bank account.

Answer 5

There's no such thing as a totally secure system, wireless or otherwise.
Personally if your going to do internet banking I'd avoid using a wireless system, it's seriously not a good idea.
And that's coming from someone who used to for tech support for 2 different online banks.

Answer 6

First off, know that wireless is insecure. It is just a matter of time and effort for someone to crack it. Now having said that someone would really want to get your information to go to that trouble.

Security is always a set of trade-offs as to whether what you are protecting is worth what you are spending.

Most WiFi routers have several things that can help with security. You should make sure you have a nice long random SSID as well as turn off the broadcast function.

Lastly, and a little more difficult is to only allow certain MAC addresses to connect to your router. You can block people from using your internet connection, but often people forget to stop people from connecting to their network.

Most routers today 802.11G or better are secure enough if you enable the basic settings.

Answer 7

Wireless router have a bad name because many people don't bother to change the default password.
Read the help when setting up the sharing and you should be able to set up a fairly secure network.

Answer 8

They're not secure in the slightest, think about it, lets say you disabled your WEP key, and had no security, first a potential hacker will have to know you have a router, then they will need to know the access IP number, then they will most likely need to be standing right outside your house with a laptop, then of course, your router and system will need to be turned on, should they have somehow managed all this, they will need to know advanced hacking and cracking, and then avoid anyone seeing them, and be within about a 30 metre range.

Answer 9

When you purchase the Wi-Fi router make sure it provides WPA or WPA2 (also called WPA PSK) Encryption. WPA2 is the better of the two. If it only provides WEP encryption do not purchase it. WEP has been broken and programs are available on the net to do this.

You bank will also provide additional encryption as part of its service. If you use the Banks encryption plus your Wi-Fi encryption your banking information will be very safe. No bank has had their encryption broken.

It is very important you setup and use the WPA or WPA2 encryption in your router.

Answer 10

I got a wireless network at home and is password protected with no problems