There's no doubt that wireless makes our jobs and lives easier and more convenient. Because we can work anywhere, wireless networks are becoming more and more popular. If you have broadband Internet, a wireless router can let you talk to the rest of the world right away.
Imagine that you are sitting by the pool and using the Internet to chat with friends. Or, everyone likes the idea of relaxing in a Jacuzzi while listening to their MP3 collection. Sadly, there are a lot...
There's no doubt that wireless makes our jobs and lives easier and more convenient. Because we can work anywhere, wireless networks are becoming more and more popular. If you have broadband Internet, a wireless router can let you talk to the rest of the world right away.
Imagine that you are sitting by the pool and using the Internet to chat with friends. Or, everyone likes the idea of relaxing in a Jacuzzi while listening to their MP3 collection. Many, if not most, wireless devices don't have security features already set up and working. If you are just setting up a home network, this might not seem like a big deal, but there are a few things you should think about.
The most dangerous problem seems to be identity theft. If your wireless network is not secure, the personal information on your wireless devices is also not secure. When you just bought a book from Amazon, your contact and payment information may have been given to a crook. Almost every town with WiFi will have "War Drivers" and "War Chalkers" doing their jobs. People like these walk or drive around the city with wireless equipment, looking for open networks. The "Chalkers" then live up to their name by writing in chalk on curbs and other public places so that other people can find and use your network more easily.
Of course, not every "War Driver" is a hacker. Many people just want to use your network for free, but if you don't know how to protect yourself, the risk is high. You can usually find a lot of free information about how to secure your network on the website of the company that made your router or by searching for something like "secure home wireless" in a search engine.
Also, your neighbours may find your network by accident and like to look in on what you're doing and use your Internet access whenever they want, which slows down your network speed.
Even a lot of businesses use cheap equipment that is good enough for home use for their company networks. Small business networks don't always have good security, so anyone who knows the basics of wireless can get to sensitive company and customer data.
If you don't want to risk being taken advantage of, it's best to hire a service company to protect your network for you. If you look in your local Yellow Pages or ask at your local computer store, you should be able to find professional help and get your private information back.
