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If you regularly access
online accounts through
Wi-Fi hotspots, use a virtual
private network (VPN). VPNs
encrypt traffic between your
computer and the internet,
even on unsecured
networks. You can get a
personal VPN account from
a VPN service provider. In
addition, some organizations
create VPNs to provide
secure, remote access for
their employees. What’s
more, VPN options are
available for mobile
devices; they can encrypt
information you send
through mobile apps.
Some Wi-Fi networks use
encryption: WEP and WPA
are common, but they might
not protect you against all
hacking programs. WPA2 is
the strongest.
Installing browser add-ons
or plug-ins can help. For
example, Force-TLS and
HTTPS-Everywhere are free
Firefox add-ons that force
the browser to use
encryption on popular
websites that usually aren't
encrypted. They don’t
protect you on all
websites—look for https in
the URL to know a site
is secure.
Take steps to secure your
home wireless network.
Understand How a Wireless hacking programs. Consider
buying a new router with WPA2
Network Works
Going wireless generally
requires connecting an internet
"access point"—like a cable or
DSL modem—to a wireless
router, which sends a signal
through the air, sometimes as
far as several hundred feet. Any
computer within range with a
wireless card can pull the
signal from the air and access
the internet.
capability.
Wireless routers often come
with the encryption feature
turned off. You must turn it on.
The directions that come with
your router should explain how.
If they don't, check the
company’s website
Secure Your Computer
and Router
Unless you take certain
precautions, anyone nearby
with a wireless-ready computer
or mobile device can use your
network. That means your
neighbors—or any hacker
nearby—could "piggyback" on
your network, or access
information on your computer.
If an unauthorized person uses
your network to commit crime
or send spam, the activity could
be traced back to your account.
Use Encryption
Encryption scrambles the
information you send over the
internet into a code so that it’s
not accessible to others. Using
encryption is the most effective
way to secure your network
from intruders.
Two main types of encryption
are available: Wi-Fi Protected
Access (WPA) and Wired
Equivalent Privacy (WEP). Your
computer, router, and other
equipment must use the same
encryption. WPA2 is strongest;
use it if you have a choice. It
should protect you against
most hackers.
If you don't secure your
wireless network, strangers
could use it and gain access
to your computer—including
the personal and financial
information you’ve stored on it.
Protect your computer by using
WPA encryption.
Some older routers use only
WEP encryption, which may not
protect you from some common
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Use anti-virus and
anti-spyware software,
and a firewall. Use the
same basic computer
security practices that you
would for any computer
connected to the internet.
Change the name of your
router from the default.
The name of your router
(often called the service set
identifier or SSID) is likely
to be a standard, default ID
assigned by the
manufacturer. Change the
name to something unique
that only you know.
Change your router's
pre-set password. The
manufacturer of your
wireless router probably
assigned it a standard
default password that allows
you to set up and operate
the router. Hackers know
these default passwords, so
change it to something only
you know. Use passwords
that are at least 10
characters long: the longer
the password, the tougher it
is to crack.
Visit the company’s website
to learn how to change the
password.
October 2015