Wireless networks mean our computers are no longer tied to one spot, and the opportunity to roam the house and beyond with a laptop is really fantastic. At home, this also means that all of your computers can be connected to and use the Internet simultaneously. Your wireless network can also be set up to allow printing from any computer.

But to use your wireless network safely you must make sure you've adequately protected it. Far too many fail to take this precaution – something you can easily discover for yourself by searching for open wireless networks in your area.

What is a wireless network?

Basically it's a way to connect computers to the Internet via radio waves that are relayed through a wireless router.

Why does my wireless network need protection?

Anyone can access an unprotected wireless network. It’s like leaving the front door to your house wide open, welcoming anyone walking by—or in the case of wireless networks, just driving by.

People who access your network may just want an Internet connection and not pose a threat. But criminals can use it, too.

They may use the connection to see everything on your computer including bank information, personal finance records, address books, calendars, and photos. They can also see passwords the computer stores for your online accounts and make purchases from sites that have stored your credit card information there.

Criminals may also use your wireless connection to install malicious software onto your computer like viruses. Or they may load programs like keystroke loggers which can forward every keystroke you type to a computer they specify, so they can continue to harvest your information from a distance.

When criminals break through an unsecured wireless network, they may also use it to commit crimes that might not necessarily affect you directly. For example, they may “borrow” your computer to view child pornography (and thereby be virtually untraceable by the police). Or they may enlist your computer in a zombie network. In this scenario, they harness hundreds, even thousands, of computers to send spam, display pornography, and the like—all , completely unbeknownst to their owners .

Note Freeloading on someone else's unprotected network also exposes you to these risks while you are connected to it

How do I protect my wireless network?

If you set up a wireless router but didn't set up security passwords or activate encryption, then chances are good that your network and your computer are not protected. But you can correct that fairly easily by following the instructions provided by Microsoft or Apple. (Note that once you do this, when you want someone to access your wireless network, they will have to get the password or key from you before they'll have Internet access.)

• Windows XP: Secure your wireless network¹

• Windows Vista: Find out of your wireless network is secure. If it is not, secure your wireless network.²

• Macintosh: Protect your wireless network with a password: AirPort 5 and AirPort 4.1 for WIndows³

Once your wireless network is secure, check to be sure you have the latest antivirus, firewall, antispyware, and other security programs running and up to date. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Linda

17 July 2008