Securing Your Wireless Network
Choosing A Wireless Router
You might already have a wireless router provided to you by your Internet Service Provider.
Otherwise, if you are intending to get one or decide to upgrade your old router, look out for the Wireless Network Type. There is currently A, B, G and the new N standard.
A quick guide would be the speed and frequency of transmission of the present wireless network types.
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Currently, most wireless networks are G types and the newer N standard routers generally also provide G and B support which means that older wireless devices would have few issues with the new routers. For example, your laptop which now can receive A/B/G networks would generally have no issues with the N networks. A G device connecting to an N network would not work at 300Mbps but it would be faster than 54Mbps.
Configuring Your Wireless Router
You will need to connect your broadband modem to your router (watch for the indicators - usually the WAN (Wide Area Network) port and plug your desktop computers in to the other ports. Refer to your router documentation to access the router's administration page.
•Change your SSID (Service Set Identifier), basically your wireless network name. You can access that from the router's configuration page.
•Set up your wireless security. Usually done with the older WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) or the newer WPA2 (WiFi Protected Access) encryption. These methods of transmission are coded to prevent other unauthorized users hacking into your wireless signals.
• Most router administration software also allows user to backup your configuration to a file on your computer. You should do this for each change to your wireless network.
• Change and backup your router administrator password. This makes a lot of sense as all brands of routers have the default passwords are available on the Internet. If you ever do get locked out, reset the router by pressing the Reset button on the router. Change your password immediately.
Placement of Router
WiFi signals are broadcast outward in a flat pattern like ripples in a pond. The further your receiving computers are from the router, the weaker the reception and the slower the data transfer rate.
• Ideally, place your wireless router in a central location in your home or office. Each venue will be different and you can walk around with your laptop to check the reception for the best location.
• The router's placement should also consider proximity to other electrical devices such as:
1. televisions,
2. radio receivers, and 3. cordless telephones.
4. Another new consideration is your neighbor's router. Wireless N signals interfere with and drown out other non-N WiFi networks.
• Certain walls and supporting structures like beams with steel bars inside would also block wireless signals.
Wireless Security Settings
Firewalls are software or hardware that controls access to your network by limiting incoming and outgoing traffic by implementing rules. There may be more than one firewall on your computers.
Windows XP with Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista have built-in firewalls.
Some Anti-Virus software packages also do have a built in firewalls. HP computers come with Norton which also incorporates a software firewall.
Some new routers also come with built in firewalls. You will have to look at these configurations as well.
Securing Your Wireless Network
Securing Your Wireless Network
Connecting to a Wireless network in Windows Vista
To setup a wireless network connection in Windows Vista, right click on the network icon on the taskbar beside the system clock or in the Instant Search bar, locate the Network and Sharing Center.
Ensure that your wireless adaptor is switched on and you can click on Connect to a network in the left panel. You will see the list of available wireless networks and their signal strengths.
Select your wireless network and click Connect. If you network has security implemented, enter the pass phrases (WEP or WPA) to give you access to the encrypted network.
Securing Your Wireless Network
If your passphrase is correct, you will be successfully connected to the wireless network.
To change passphrases in future, in the Network and Sharing Center, use the link to Manage Wireless Network.
To change passphrases in future, in the Network and Sharing Center, use the link to Manage Wireless Network.
Securing Your Wireless Network
Viewing Other Computers across the Network and Sharing Resources
Now that you have successfully setup your home wireless network, you can begin to share files and other devices such as printers across your network.
Click Start and from the menu, select Network. This will show you the other devices on your network, either wired or wireless. Below is a screenshot of two computers and two wireless routers in a network.
Depending on what you have shared on your computer, you will be able to use these resources across your network from other computers.
File Sharing
On your computer, select the folder or drive you wish to share and right click on it. From the right click menu, select Share.
Securing Your Wireless Network
In Windows Vista, you can select which users on that computer can access the folder. You need to have an account on that computer or configure for everyone to access the folder.
You can also allow saving of files across a network. In the screenshot above, Everyone is allowed only to read or view files from that computer, not save to the folder. By changing the permissions, you can allow saving of files as well. Do have antivirus software installed on your computers to prevent viruses spreading across your network in this manner.
Securing Your Wireless Network
To access a computer across the network, from the Start menu, select Network and double click on the computer to show the shared folders.
Printer Sharing
From the Start menu of the computer the printer is connected to, select Printers. Alternatively, you can search for “Printers” from the Instant Search menu. Select the printer and right click on the printer to select Share.
Securing Your Wireless Network
The printer’s properties page will appear and you can select the checkbox Share Printer. To access the shared printer across the network, your computer and printer has to be switched on and connected to the network. Use the view Network computers function to locate the computer with the printer. Double click on the computer and besides the shared folders, you will also see the shared printers as well.
Right click on the shared printer and select Connect. This connection will also be remembered between your computers on your network.
