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Chapter 5 - General network and security related information
The DOs and DON'Ts of securing your wireless network
Note: For an example of how to encrypt your wireless network, please see the chapter on "An example of how to secure your wireless network."
DO
Enable the highest encryption key level that your hardware provides for. Upgrade your hardware, if possible. If you do not protect your wireless network, all data from your PC might be accessible by, for example, your neighbours or
Use a wireless base station or router with Network Address Translation (NAT) and firewall enabled for sharing your Internet connection.
Change the default passwords for your network devices. Leaving these at default makes it easy for an outsider to gain access.
Position wireless base stations away from windows and toward the centre of your home.This decreases the strength of the signal outside your home.
Some wireless base stations allow you to control access based on the unique Media Access Control (MAC) address of the network adapter trying to associate with it. If a MAC address has not been registered in the wireless base station, it will not associate with it. If your base station has this feature, enable it and add the MAC addresses of the network adapters.
Just use common sense: Install an
DON'T
Do not rely on radio transmission range limitations to secure your network. Enable wireless security (WEP/WPA) to protect your network from unwanted access.
Use encryption keys and passwords that are hard to guess. Do not change passwords to reflect your name, address, or anything that would be easy to guess.
Never open attachments to email messages that you are not expecting. In addition, scan all diskettes and
Do not load a program from an unknown source onto one of your network computers.
Do not ignore the common signs of viruses: unusual messages that appear on your screen, decreased system performance, missing data, and inability to
