How can we protect our wireless network at home

How can we protect our wireless network at home?

The purpose of this article is to provide the typical home user an overview of some basic steps that can be taken to help secure their wireless network at home.

This figure shows you wireless network overview at home

There are 2 main solutions for securing your wireless network at home:

1. Secure your ADSL modem
2. Secure your computer or laptop

Secure your ADSL modem

Most of new Wireless ADSL modems in different brands are integrated. When you buy a Wireless ADSL modem, you will have an access point, router, switch, firewall and other features. First of all, you should know about security options in your modem. Most of them have some security options for wireless such as security modes (WEP, WPA, WPA2), wireless access (restrict access), firewall and VPN (IPSec).

You can follow these steps to protect your environment:

1. Change your default password on your modem this is very easy to find on the Internet.
2. Use preferred encryption methods in this order: WPA2, WPA (been cracked), WEP (been cracked). Only use WPA and WEP if you have no other choice.
3. Change your SSID to something obscure.
4. Select your wireless access mode. This is good idea that you select restrict access and then permit only listed computers to access the wireless network via their MAC address.
5. Disable DHCP on entire network.
6. Turn off your Wi-Fi when not in use.
7. Enable your firewall in your modem.
8. Enable IPSec.
9. You should have routine program for controlling your modem log.

Finally, you can follow next steps to secure your personal computer or laptop:

10. Install and maintain Antivirus software (Such as Norton 360, MacAfee, AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic, Avast, AVG Free Edition, BitDefender and ClamWin).
11. Install desktop firewall software (R-Firewall, SoftPerfect Personal Firewall and ZoneAlarm).
12. Install Antispyware software (Bugnosis, ScriptDefender, Spybot S&D, SpyDefense, SpywareBlaster and WinPatrol).
13. Install encryption/secure deletion software (bmpPacker, CompuSec, CrossCrypt, CryptainerLE, FreeOTFE, GnuPG, Eraser, PowerCrypt, SuperShredderm and TrueCrypt).
14. Install password management software (Access Manager, KeePass Password Safe and PINs).
15. Install and use a backup system (Abakt, Back It Up, Back4Win, Cobian Backup, Easy Backup and SyncBack).