Turn on WPA
Seems simple to us tech nerds. No one in their right mind would run wide-open or WEP (argument could be made that it’s the same thing). So you’re going to need to turn on WPA. What is WPA? For starters WPA is short for Wi-Fi Protected Access. You’ll pick a pass-phrase, otherwise known as a pre-shared key (PSK). Make the key difficult. WPA/WPA2 has been broken/hacked – but the process to hack it is way too complex at this point.
Name your SSID something stupid
Really. Go crazy. The SSID of your wireless router is it’s public name. It’s what you look for when connecting a new device to your wireless network. Name your SSID something stupid. Don’t name it SmithNetwork. Or ILuvCats – if you have 15 cats and are known as the cat lady. Or StarTrek if you attend conventions every weekend. Pick something random. By doing this you are making it a little tougher for someone to target you and your wireless network.
Turn off SSID broadcast
Now that you have named your SSID something crazy. Turn off SSID broadcasting. You’ll have to endure a few extra steps when first bringing a laptop (or other device) on to the wireless network. By turning off broadcasting – your network will not show up as an available network to connect to on devices.
Enable MAC filtering
Consider this bonus. Most people won’t bother. I don’t blame you. In short – by enabling MAC filtering you are saying only these machines/devices are allowed on my network. Is it bullet proof? No. But it slows the bullet WAY down. A MAC address is unique to each and every networkable device in the world. A MAC address can be spoofed/faked. But it’s not something that’s going to keep you up at night.
These are only steps to make it harder for someone to wirelessly gain access to your network. WPA alone – is going to go a long way in securing your network. The others are gravy. If someone wants in bad enough – they are going to get in.
