Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Wireless Networking Precautions


Wireless internet networks, also known as Wi-Fi, provide users with the ability to access the internet from virtually anywhere using their mobile phones, tablets, or personal computers and laptops without having to be connected through cables. However, the high availability and ease of access to Wi-Fi also pose security risks because others may also be able to hack into your device, infect it with viruses, and access your personal information while you are connected. Therefore, it is wise to take some precautions when using Wi-Fi.



There are precautions one can take to protect their personal Wi-Fi at home. The first line of defense is installing an up to date antivirus program into your computer, which will check for threats and viruses. Enabling an encryption like WEP or WPA will also help hinder intruders from accessing your computer and infecting it with a virus. It is also a good idea to get a router with a firewall or install a firewall program into your current router to lessen the risk of someone hacking your computer. Also, disabling the SSID link on your Wi-Fi will block outsiders from accessing your computer. Public Wi-Fi spots greatly increase the risk of someone accessing your personal information because many people are accessing the same network at the same time. Therefore, it is important to have the proper software as well as to refrain from using any personal information such as passwords, bank account information, credit card, and social security numbers while using a public Wi-Fi.



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