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Wireless networks are good and permit us to set up networks fast simply and without the bother of physically running wires for example. However wireless networks must be secure from outside / unapproved users otherwise folks can use your network for their own evil motives. An instance of this is folks using your wifi to attach to the web and download illegal content. As it is your web connection it's your responsibility. So how does one secure your wireless network?

Well there are a few things you can do so these are some basic security steps :

* TURN OFF SSID Broadcasting - after you have all of your needed computers ( wireless clients / devices ) on your network, TURN OFF SSID broadcasting so that nobody can see your wireless net.

* Change the name of your SSID from default to something else.For instance a SSID named Netgear simply identifies your network and its hardware.

* Change default router user name and passwords. Most routers have the same, default admin user name and password. So all an interloper has to do is login to your router using the defaults and then lock you out.

* Use ipconfig / all to spot your MAC address and address filtering - set which devices can connect to your wifi network by their MAC address.

* Use IP filtering or IP reservations so that only those IP's can access the network.

* Use Port filtering / blocking to dam ports you don't need open.

* Use authentication - either PSK or EAP - don't LEAVE AUTHENTICATION OPEN.

* Use encryption to guard your information. WEP and WPA are two kinds of encryption however WPA is counseled.

* Set logon hours so that folks can't access your network out of hours.

* employ a wifi network analyser like Netstumbler ( free ) to check your network.