Secure Home Wi-Fi Network

From one comfort we move to further comfort. A mere convenience of an access to internet satisfies us no more. More and more households are now setting up wireless networks in their homes for the convenience of remote access to the Internet. Most importantly, in recent times prices have fallen rapidly for wireless access points and wireless routers. Nowadays all laptops come with built-in wi-fi capability.

The main advantage, however, is that many users can access internet from anywhere in the house without disturbing others, if the household has many computers. If they have laptops, family members can move to any room they want and still use internet without bothering themselves about length of ethernet cables.

But here is the caution: It's very important to make sure that no stranger in the vicinity of your home can get access to your wireless network. It is particularly important for those living in apartments or condominiums where their proximity with others may bring unwanted guests to their network. The "Wired Equivalence Protocol" (WEP) security feature provided on early wireless devices has already been compromised. Newer wireless devices are certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance, a non-profit industry standards group, and they use security protocols called WPA or WPA2.

For an easier and faster setup, many people may just "plug and play" without bothering to use the security features on their wireless networks. Such networks are heaven for computer hackers who can easily connect directly to your network and capture your bank or credit card account names, numbers and passwords, or penetrate the computers connected to your network. So, as soon as you purchase your wi-fi equipments and set it up, always have the security features on your network enabled and configured properly. Change the admin password, and block or change your network name (SSID). Use MAC address filtering if your network equipment supports it. And Do not forget to install and enable firewalls.