how do i secure my wireless network?

Answer 1

Securing your home wireless network 101:
Summary at bottom...

To start off, unless your wireless equipment is brand new, go to the website (Linksys, Netgear, etc) and go to their support or downloads section and get the most recent version of firmware for your wireless router or access point, and install it.

Next, change the default password on your wireless router. Next, turn on encryption. At least use WEP for minimal protection but the best is to use WiFi Protected Access, WPA or even better WPA2 PSK (Pre Shared Key) mode for home use. WEP can be broken easily by someone who knows how and has the right tools. Select a decent WPA passphrase that has at least a combination of letters and numbers, the longer the better, up to 63 characters.

Everyone always says "WEP is no good, it's too easy to crack" and that's true, but I usually say, "Oh, really? Have you done it?" just to be a wise-guy, and 99% of the time the answer is no. Because it's NOT easy for the average home user. I have done it and I like to say that WEP keeps your honest neighbors honest. But it will not hold back someone who has the right tools (all freeware by the way) and knowledge to break your key. So use WPA PSK, it's just as easy to configure as WEP. If you do use WEP (maybe you have older stuff with no WPA or WPA2 support) then at least change your WEP key occasionally.

Also consider using MAC address filtering, so you can decide ahead of time which machines are allowed on your network. You do an "ipconfig /all" for example on one of your PCs to get the MAC/Hardware address, and then put the MAC address into your router's MAC list. Again, there are ways to defeat this with MAC spoofing, etc, but not without some effort and not likely with your average users/neighbors.

Also use other security features built into your product like stateful packet inspection (SPI) firewalls, etc. Check the manual or just click thru the config screens to see what's there.

Finally, don't let anyone fool you into thinking that turning off SSID broadcast will make your network secure, it will not. That only supresses the SSID in the beacon messages and is not meant to be a security feature, it's more to prevent accidental associations. Still, it is a "best/common practice" to change your SSID to something other than the default and turn off SSID broadcast.

One last thing, even though a home router (wireless or not) can act as a hardware firewall, still absolutely run network security software on your end machines, such as McAfee security center for example. Or even freeware is fine, AVG plus ZoneAlarm plus AdAware/SpyBot, etc. Just make sure you have a software antivirus and firewall at minimum, preferably something other than the built in firewall in WinXP.

So in summary:
0. Update to newest firmware
1. Change default password on router
2. Configure WPA PSK with a good passphrase
3. Use MAC address filtering
4. Change SSID from default and do not broadcast it
5. Disable any type of remote administration
6. Enable any built-in firewall features
7. Block unknown external (WAN) requests
8. Read the manual for your product for other security features.
9. Don't forget end host protection software.

Answer 2

For Secure Network Contact http://www.belkintechsupport247.com/

Answer 3

There are many firewall that can tell you whether someone is connected to your wireless network or not. I saw that feature in PC-Cillin Internet Security once. So maybe you should try that out. I think Zone Alarm has that feature too. You can also disconnect them from your network and prevent them from connecting again.

Answer 4

ok in windows xp sp2:
open "Network Connections" on the "Wireless Network Connection" R-Click then click on "Propreties" in the "Wireless Networks" tab u will find preffered network statement: Choose the name or ur wirless connection by click on it then press on "properties" then in "assosiation" tab choose "WPA-PSK" from the menu of "Network Authintication" and after that u'll find "Network key" Enter 10 digits as ur Wireless Connection Password and then re- enter the confirmation network key.
restart ur pc the password will be active.. any pc want to share ur connection should have this password.

Answer 5

A few of the earlier answers will get you there. Just remember to write down the key so you'll have it if/when you lose connection in the future. Good Luck! =)

Answer 6

go to your router manufactures website and use their help section to find out how to secure it.

Answer 7

if you have a linksys you have click Mandatory and click wep key setting but first you have to enter a password and the password is admin unless you changed it.