Wireless radio signals travel outside the network, so other WLAN devices can pick up unprotected signals. Take the following precautions to protect your WLAN:
●Use a firewall.
A firewall checks information and requests that are sent to your network. It then discards any suspicious items. Firewalls are available in both software and hardware. Some networks use a combination of both types.
●Use wireless encryption.
Wireless encryption uses security settings to encrypt and decrypt information that is transmitted over the network. For more information, go to Help and Support. From the Start screen, type h, and then select Help and Support.
Connecting to a WLAN
To connect to a WLAN, follow these steps:
1.Be sure that the WLAN device in your computer is on.
2.From the Start screen, point to the
3.Select Settings, and then click the network status icon.
4.Select a WLAN from the list.
5.Click Connect.
If the WLAN is a
NOTE: If no WLANs are listed, you may be out of range of a wireless router or access point.
NOTE: If you do not see the WLAN you want to connect to, from the Windows desktop, right- click the network status icon, and then select Open Network and Sharing Center. Click Set up a new connection or network. A list of options is displayed, allowing you to manually search for and connect to a network or to create a new network connection.
After the connection is made, place the pointer over the network status icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, to verify the name and status of the connection.
NOTE: The functional range (how far the wireless signals travel) depends on WLAN implementation, router manufacturer, and interference from other electronic devices or structural barriers such as walls and floors.
16 Chapter 3 Connecting to a network