Wifi Security
Anyone who knows me, knows I am the ultimate high-tech redneck. I love gizmos, gadgets, whatchamajiggies, and thingamadoodles. I’m a hardware fanatic. But today I am going to give a few tips and pointers on setting up a HIGH SPEED home network.
These days, almost everyone has a fancy flat screen tv, and/or a blu-ray player, or game console. Most of these devices’s have an ethernet connection on the back, and some can even connect to a WIFI Access Point (WAP).
Before we begin:
Wireless is overrated. It will NEVER be as secure, or as fast as a directly-connected setup. Wireless networks are broadcast over radio, which any receiver can pick up. Unencrypted (OPEN) WAPs mean that not only can anyone within range use the internet connection you pay for, for free, but they can also see exactly where YOU are going, and with VERY little tech knowledge needed, they can get your logins and passwords for nearly every site you visit. NOT GOOD.
YOU MUST ALWAYS PLAN YOUR NETWORK. Even if you are the simple, non-technical type, it is EXTREMELY important for you to understand your risks, and know where your weakest point in the network is.
Let’s get this party started…
- Step 1: Decide what type of connections you intend to have available in your home: wired, wireless, combination?
- Step 2: What type of equipment will be accessing this network: computers, blu-ray players, tvs, iphones, etc
- Step 3: If you are planning to have a WAP, try to locate it near the center of the home, and at the highest point possible, this will allow you the best range and speeds.
- Step 3a: If wireless, determine what types of encryption your devices will support: WEP, WPA, WPA2. If the device in question will only support WEP, then DO NOT USE IT WIRELESSLY. WEP encryption is useless, and can be cracked in seconds.
- Step 3b: You must use the lowest common denominator for your encryption, if one of your devices only supports WPA, then you must set your WAP to use this type of encryption. Some WAPs allow a hybrid WPA/WPA2 encryption, but it is basically the same as setting WPA only.
- Step 4: Set up your WAP, instructions for this can vary from device to device, consult the documentation that came with yours.
- Step 5: Set up your wired connections.
Chuck
The main high-tech redneck behind The Southern Libertarian, goes by the name SouthernLibertarian, or SLibertarian on many other websites. A mid-30s country boy from rural Alabama, with a passion for politics and technology.