How To Keep Your Wireless Network Safe?

A wireless network has both- its good as well as bad. While it proves to be of great use when you constantly need to share files, it also opens up your personal computer to potential attacks from hackers. But, you can cut down these risks significantly provided you take a few steps to keep your wireless network safe.

Sometimes applying simple common sense can work wonders. A simple and basic thing like shutting your computer off can go at length in protecting your wireless network. There are so many people who keep their computer running 24X7. This is irrespective of whether they are using it or not. When you switch off your computer, the chances of a potential attack are reduced considerably. Even switching off your modem can be of considerable help in protecting your wireless network.

Yet another thing that you can do to keep your wireless network safe is limit sharing. Typically, the other computers on your network will have access to the entire hard drive of your computer. However, this is something that must be avoided if you wish to keep the wireless network safe. Instead, allow access to only a limited number of files and directories. You can even consider disabling file and print sharing altogether.

How about adding a personal firewall to your computer? This is one of the most effective things that you can do to keep your computer safe. The firewall will add an all together new level of protection to your computer. So, the hacker will have to try even harder to get through your system. And, in case you have installed an effective and strong firewall, getting through your system could even be impossible.

Most people make the common mistake of leaving the safety of their wireless network to WPA i.e. Wireless Protected Access. But, is your device i.e. laptop, PC or even phone configured to meet the requirements? If not, then the entire network by default switches to a WEP encryption that is less secure. Also, it is important to ensure that you are using an enhanced version of wireless encryption.

Turning off the broadcast SSID feature also ensures safety of your wireless network. The broadcast SSID feature automatically searches for wireless connections that are available and logs you on them. This could expose you to potential threats. However, there is a downside too. Disabling this function would mean that you would have to enter your network and credentials each time you want to access it. But, nevertheless this is still better than having your system hacked.

Follow the above mentioned tips and you will not have to worry about the safety of your system.

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