just gone wireless how do i stop hackers breaking in to my network?

Answer 1

Well, your problem is two things. One is that you can have people hack into your computer from the Internet and the other is anyone with a compatible wireless card can freely get a connection through your wireless router.

For the first one, if security is a must for you, buy a firewall or install firewall programs on each of the computers. If you have more than a few computers, I would recommend simply purchasing a stand-alone firewall. I recommend the WRT54G series router (50$ at Best Buy) then flashing it with a firewall program. In a few hours (if you have to learn how to do it) you will have network that is relatively secure.

For the second problem, your wireless router should have an administration screen, simply assign your computers static (non-changing) IP addresses. As each computer's network card is uniquely identified with a specific address, this can be accomplished pretty easily. Computers that are not authorized to be on your computer network won't be able to communicate with devices that are, so this makes just hooking up a wireless card for malicious reasons much more difficult.

Nothing is perfect, you could go out and by a Sidewinder firewall, a huge Cisco router and tens of thousands of dollars to do so, but your operation doesn't seem large enough to support those costs. A good level of security at a reasonable price.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

The easiest thing to do is to turn on WEP on your router. You can do this according to the documentation that came with the router, but I would be sure to use the highest encryption available. You will then need to enter this WEP key into the wireless computer/ cell phones/ PDAs you are using with the router so they can access your wireless network.

If you want ultra security, you can set your router up to only allow certain MAC addresses ( Addresses assigned by the wireless module maker. The address is found on a sticker on the bottom of your laptop, or with the wireless device you have). This way even if your WEP key is compromised, the hacker can't access your network.

Finally get some good firewall software such as black ice defender, or Nortons that may have come with your new computer.

Good luck

Answer 3

Set security on your wireless access point. Use WPA or WEP and make sure to filter MAC addresses. Doing both of these will definately increase your security.

And definately don't do your banking or order using visa on a wireless network.

Oh ya, try changing the passphrase once in a while to increase your secutiy. You never know if your next door neighbour might be cracking away on your wifi network.

Answer 4

Although this is general and does not pertain to any specific wireless router, it will direct you in setting up your Wi-Fi for the maximum protection.

Most wireless routers are configured through your Internet browser. So you must connect your wireless router to a computer.

Type your router's IP address into your browser's address bar. You can find the IP address in your router's manual. You'll be prompted for a user name and password. These will also be listed in your manual.

You want to use WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) encryption to protect your network. You'll typically see this setting as WPA-PSK (pre-shared key). You'll be prompted to enter a password of eight to 63 characters--letters, numbers and symbols. The router will use the password to build an encryption key.

WPA2 is the latest and safest version of WPA. The only weak point of WPA2 is your password. So make it as strong as possible. Here is a tip that will help.

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/privacy/password.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/privacy/password_checker.mspx

Your router may use WPA, the forerunner to WPA2. If so, be sure your password has at least 21 characters.

The earliest security standard is WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). Don't use that; it is easily broken. Check the router manufacturer's site for updates. If there aren't any, don't use the router to go online.

Now you must update your computers. Click Start>>Control Panel. Double-click Network Connections. Right-click Wireless Network Connection. Select Properties from the pop-up menu and select the Wireless Networks tab. You should see your network listed under "Preferred networks." Select it and click Properties. If it's not listed, click the Add button. In the box labeled "Network name (SSID)," enter your network's name.

Under Network Authentication, select WPA-PSK. Select AES under "Data encryption." Under "Network key," enter the same password you used for your router. You must enter it twice to confirm it. Make sure "The key is provided for me automatically" is not checked. Click OK>>OK.

Answer 5

First of all you need to secure your wireless router. You can do this with the install disk that came with it.

Secondly, get a good firewall program! Zone alarm, Norton internet security....

Answer 6

Be secure
1.have an anti-virus
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1


2.have an anti-spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

3.have a firewall up and running
-use the default Windows Firewall
-Get one from the upgraded version of the anti-virus I mentioned above.

Answer 7

get a firewall
majorgeeks.com has some free ones