Ways to Secure a Home-Based Wireless Router

Our lives are a network of wireless devices that all require internet access to keep us connected. Chances are, if this statement describes you, you already have or soon will have a wireless router for your home-based network. An often overlooked but vital step in the set-up process is making sure your wireless router is secure. Unauthorized access to your router can cause problems that range from annoying to illegal.

The more devices accessing a wireless router, the harder it has to work and the slower your connection will be. This basic problem is reason enough to secure your router, but people trying to piggyback on your connection may have a more sinister purpose in mind than free internet access. In at least one case, a family was investigated after their internet connection was used to download illegal material. The investigation revealed that a neighbor who had been using the family’s unsecured wireless router as his access point was the real culprit.

When you think of internet security, no doubt antivirus software comes to mind. These applications protect your computer from spyware and malware but do nothing to protect your network from unauthorized access. Unless you want your network accessible to the entire neighborhood, you should look for a wireless router with specific security features.
If you telecommute for work, your router should offer virtual private network support for setting up secure access to your company's network. Many routers also offer an SPI firewall that tracks users and blocks unusual traffic patterns and suspected hackers. Some wireless routers may also offer a NAT firewall that hides all wireless devices behind a single IP address.

Once you have connected your wireless router to your computer system, it's time to configure your security settings. The instructions that come with your router should include its IP address. Type this into your browser and enter the username and password provided. Your first step in securing your router is to change this password to a strong password that is difficult to crack. Passwords comprised of a combination of letters, numbers and special characters are difficult or impossible to guess.

Next, it’s time to choose the level of wireless encryption you want for your router. Some computers may limit the level of wireless encryption possible due to age or compatibility issues, but you should always choose the highest level of encryption possible. Wi-Fi protected access (WPA or WPA2) are two recommended types of encryption.

If you use a Windows-based computer system, you may have noticed that you have the option to share files across your network. This can be useful, but can also be a crack in your security that a hacker could exploit. Make sure you turn off file sharing or be especially careful to customize your settings so that your private files shared across your network remain secure. Your wireless router is only as secure as the options and settings you choose, so do not rush through the set-up process and make sure you know what information is available to other users.

Another simple step you can take to help secure your wireless router that does not require any special programming or computer knowledge is choosing its placement in your home. Positioning your router in a central location will provide the most uniform signal throughout your house and will limit the signal’s range outside your house. Should a hacker gain access to your network, he or she would essentially need to sit on your front porch to do so.
Securing your network properly will allow you to enjoy all the benefits of wireless connectivity with limited risk. The combination of a secure router, strong passwords and antivirus software will make your home-based network secure and protect your sensitive data from prying eyes.

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