Protect your WLAN router (network) against intrusions
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Intro
It's normal that you want to protect the privacy of your network and your internet gateway. Nobody would like to be a victim of a successful (let's say) hacker attack. Because, nowadays, you don't actually need to be a cool and dangerous hacker from Die Hard 4 to penetrate somebody's wireless network.
So, let's protect your network in five easy steps:
NOTE: ISPs (Internet Service Providers) tend to brand their routers, and they usually limit management options in the router interface. So don't freak out if some of the options are missing. Your ISP is just trying to play God, and there's not much you can do about it.
So, let's protect your network in five easy steps:
NOTE: ISPs (Internet Service Providers) tend to brand their routers, and they usually limit management options in the router interface. So don't freak out if some of the options are missing. Your ISP is just trying to play God, and there's not much you can do about it.
Contents at a Glance
Steps to take:
1) Access your router interface. Just type the interface IP address in the address field of your internet browser. Usually it's something like 192.168.1.1, or 192.168.1.2. If you're not sure what it is, you can check it out like this; open "Network Connections" or "Network and sharing center" from your Control Panel or taskbar, go to "Details" or "View Status" of your connection, and then look under (IPv4) Default Gateway. Next to it, you'll see an address that looks similar to the ones mentioned before. NOTE: Usually you need to enter a username and password (sometimes just password) to login to the router interface. If you haven't customized it, check with your ISP for the default one.
2) Find the wireless security tab (name of the tab varies depending on the router manufacturer, but it's always something like wireless security, or just security).
3) Enable WPA2-PSK security (if your router supports it, but most of the modern day routers do), and choose a passphrase. The longer and complicated the passphrase is, the better (complicated meaning that it includes characters like @, _, /, %, and so on. Just don't forget it...). This type of security is the toughest to break. I won't go in details now, but Google it if you want.
4) Enable MAC Address filtering, and assign MAC-s that are yours or of a trusted source When you do this, only computers you gave permission to will be able to connect to the network. To find the MAC address of your machine, repeat steps from paragraph 1), but this time look under "Physical Address". Figures can be separated by dashes or colons. It's important that you don't confuse IP addresses with MAC addresses, because they have nothing in common.
5) Disable SSID broadcast, which is a public broadcast of your networks name. This option won't do much to protect you, but it can't do you any harm, either. In general, it could prolong the time needed to find your network.
2) Find the wireless security tab (name of the tab varies depending on the router manufacturer, but it's always something like wireless security, or just security).
3) Enable WPA2-PSK security (if your router supports it, but most of the modern day routers do), and choose a passphrase. The longer and complicated the passphrase is, the better (complicated meaning that it includes characters like @, _, /, %, and so on. Just don't forget it...). This type of security is the toughest to break. I won't go in details now, but Google it if you want.
4) Enable MAC Address filtering, and assign MAC-s that are yours or of a trusted source When you do this, only computers you gave permission to will be able to connect to the network. To find the MAC address of your machine, repeat steps from paragraph 1), but this time look under "Physical Address". Figures can be separated by dashes or colons. It's important that you don't confuse IP addresses with MAC addresses, because they have nothing in common.
5) Disable SSID broadcast, which is a public broadcast of your networks name. This option won't do much to protect you, but it can't do you any harm, either. In general, it could prolong the time needed to find your network.
Ending word
And, that's it!
You've done all you can to protect yourself (read; your standard, commercial router) from intrusion. It's not bulletproof, though, but it will be really hard for the penetrator (don't laugh :) ), to penetrate and access your wireless network.
Hope this helped...
You've done all you can to protect yourself (read; your standard, commercial router) from intrusion. It's not bulletproof, though, but it will be really hard for the penetrator (don't laugh :) ), to penetrate and access your wireless network.
Hope this helped...
Wireless LAN
Introduction to and basics of WLAN
A wireless local area network (WLAN) links devices via a wireless distribution method (typically spread-spectrum or OFDM radio), and usually provides a connection through an access point to the wider internet. This gives users the mobility to move around within a local coverage area and still be connected to the network.
Wireless LANs have become popular in the home due to ease of installation, and the increasing popularity of laptop computers. Public businesses such as coffee shops and malls have begun to offer wireless access to their customers; sometimes for free. Large wireless network projects are being put up in many major cities: New York City, for instance, has begun a pilot program to cover all five boroughs of the city with wireless Internet access.
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