Is my Wireless Network Secure? and why do I need a Secure Wireless Network?

This is a topic/question that many people are not even aware of that their Wireless Network may not be secure. Depending on how you or whomever set up your Wireless Network it may or may not be Secure. Depending on the manufacturer or your modem/router this can usually be checked by logging into the device and checking the Wireless settings. If you are not sure it is best to consult online the manufacturers website to determine how to enter the Router. For example Linksys routers all use the same IP address by default and an easy to use default password.

A far easier solution than logging into the Router is simply check your signal strength. Usually an Unsecured network will have a low signal strength, sometimes even if in close to range to device. If you are letting Windows manage your Wireless Networks, you will see the Wireless icon to the left of the clock near the task bar. Hovering your mouse over this will give you the current status and signal strength.

Two main advantages to a Secure Wireless Network are first and foremost, the security of your data being transmitted between the wireless devices. Second the strength of that connection which makes for smoother Internet surfing and faster. With an Unsecured connection someone or some program could conceivably intercept the data that is being sent. So if you were paying your bills online, someone could conceivably get your password, pin number, credit card info etc. Having a Secure Wireless network also keeps neighbors and anyone else in range of using up your valuable bandwith and making your internet slower. On top of not paying you for it, it can be very dangerous.

Once the network is Secure, you can simply give out the Key to anyone who wants to connect to it when they are at your home. Some routers can automatically create a Secure Wireless Network for you or it can be done manually. There are multiple protocols for Wireless Network Security. Some of the most common protocols for Wireless Network Security are WEP, WPA,WPA2. Any of them will be better than an Unsecured Wireless Network. Each one has advantages. For most Residential users, WEP works best. This can be done as either 64 bit or 128 bit encryption. The higher the better and I would recommend 128 encryption.

The answer to the above question then is you absolutly need to have your Wireless Network Secured. If you are not sure if it is secure then try the steps I listed above. At ZolexPC we do Wireless Setups and they usually only take about 30 minutes to do. With a Secure Wireless Network you will increase your chances of staying protected while surfing the Internet. Though it can't guarantee you won't have issues with your PC, it is an additional layer of protection for your PC. Thanks for reading and keep surfing safely.

Steve
www.zolexpc.com