In 1997, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) created the first wireless LAN standard - 802.11. Because
it could only support a maximum bandwidth of 2Mbps, 802.11
wireless products are no longer being manufactured. The next
wireless version was 802.11b, which supports bandwidths of up to
11Mbps, followed by the creation of 802.11g, which supports
bandwidth up to 54Mbps. Here is a brief summary of the two
wireless standards used in home networks today.
802.11b, - This technology supports bandwidth up to
11MBps, which is comparable to the speeds of traditional
Ethernets. 802.11b uses the same 2.4GHz radio signaling as the
original 802.11 standard. Because it is an unregulated
frequency, 802.11b devices run the risk of incurring
interference from appliances that use the same 2.4 GHz range,
such as microwaves and cordless phones. However, if you install
802.11b devices out of range of other appliances, you can avoid
the interference.
802.11g - This technology supports of up to 54 Mbps,
uses the 2.4 GHz frequency and is backwards compatible with
802.11b devices. 802.11g supports more simultaneous users,
offers the best signal range and is not easily obstructed. The
disadvantages of 802.11g are higher cost and possible
interference with appliances on the unregulated signal frequency.
Wireless computers and routers use radio waves to communicate.
Those waves are sometimes strong enough to carry outside your
house. If your network is unprotected, your information could be
hacked. Many intruders already know this. They'll drive through
neighborhoods searching for stray signals with radio equipment.
With the right information, they could access your networked
computers and files. They could even borrow your Internet
connection. Hackers search for networks that use the default
factory settings. Those settings usually include no security.
You need to protect your network by reconfiguring your wireless
router for security.
Wireless routers are configured through a browser such as
Internet Explorer. First, you need to connect your wireless
router to a computer with a Network Interface Card (NIC).
Connect the router from one of it's LAN ports to your computers
Network Interface Card using a RJ-45 cable.
Open your Internet browser. To communicate with the router,
you'll need its IP address. You can find this in your manual
under a heading like "configuration setup" or "manual
configuration." Most routers, for example, have an IP address
like 192.168.0.1. Type it directly into your Internet browser's
address bar. You'll then be prompted for a user name and
password. These will also be listed in your manual.
Now, you'll see your router's configuration tool. It looks like
an ordinary Web page. Most new wireless routers have a network
configuration wizard. Just follow the steps in the setup wizard.
The wizard will detect whether you are using broadband cable or
DSL. Each one requires a different configuration, (for example
DSL uses PPoE authentication). however the setup wizard will
walk though all the steps. It's really that easy.
Wireless routers default settings disregard security. That's
because low security makes them easy to install, but you need
change your router's settings to add security. Different routers
put these settings under different menus. You should be able to
find each without trouble. You need to change some of the
default settings.
- Change the default administrator's password
- Change
the default SSID (Short for service set identifier. An SSID is
also referred to as a network name because essentially it is a
name that identifies a wireless network) - Disable SSID
broadcasting
The best way to protect your wireless network is through
encryption. Use WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) for your encryption
setting. All new wireless routers support this standard. You'll
typically see this setting as WPA-PSK (pre-shared key). You'll
be prompted to enter a passphrase of eight to 63
characters--letters, numbers and symbols. The router will use
your passphrase to build an encryption key. WPA is the latest
and safest version of encryption. The only weak point of WPA is
your passphrase. So make it as strong as possible. Here are some
tips:
- Use at least 20 characters.
- Avoid words found in a
dictionary. - Include letters, numbers and
symbols.
Now your router is switched to use WPA encryption. But your
computers don't yet know what you've done. You'll have to update
them with the new setup. Here's what to do for each computer
you've got on the network. For Windows XP follow these steps.
Click Start>>Control Panel. Double-click Network Connections.
Right-click Wireless Network Connection. Select Properties from
the pop-up menu. Select the Wireless Networks tab. Under
"Preferred networks," click the Add button. In the box labeled
"Network name (SSID)," enter your network's name.
Under Network Authentication, select WPA-PSK. Under "Data
encryption," select TKIP. Under "Network key," enter the same
passphrase you used for your router. You'll have to enter it
twice to confirm it. Then make sure that the checkbox labeled
"The key is provided for me automatically" is not marked.
Finally, click OK>>OK.
Windows 98 and Me do not have built-in wireless networking. All
of the wireless configurations options are provided by your
wireless adapter software. Just make all the previously
discussed configuration settings with your wireless adapter's
software.
And that's all there is to it. Encryption makes your network a
less attractive target for hackers. And if your neighbors were
using your Internet service, they've just lost their connection.
About the author:
Ollie Brandt is a Microsoft Certified Professional and A+
certified PC technician.
Visit his web site at www.acecomputerguy.net
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