How To Protect Wireless Network

If you have a wireless network, you'll need to learn how to protect your wireless network from hackers, war drivers, and even from free-loaders like the next door neighbor. Just a few simple steps can go a long way toward protecting your wireless network.

What you'll need:

• a wireless network
• a computer
• a little time

Steps

1. Change administrative password. Routers generally come configured with the same administrative password on all models. Hacker, and anyone who has access to the net, should be able to find the administrative passwords to most brands of routers. That's why you need to change the administrative password on your router when you set it up.
   
2. SSID protection. Your router broadcasts your SSID (service set identifier), and most of the time this SSID is also the standard for that particular type of router. You'll need to change your SSID. Also, it is a good idea to disable the broadcasting of your SSID in order to further protect your wireless network by making it harder to find. 
3. Encryption. It is a good idea to use encryption on your wireless network.  If possible with your model of router, it is best to use WPA instead of WEP, which is considered to be less secure. However, if you can only use WEP on your router, then use it, because WEP provides more protection than no encryption at all.
4. Restrict access. Additionally, you can protect your wireless network by setting it up to only allow access to a particular group of MAC addresses, which you provide. Your wireless network would then restrict access to all other computers other than the ones that you have entered MAC addresses for, which would provide added protection for your wireless network.