Wireless network security
The use of wireless Wi-Fi technology is increasingly widespread, mainly due to the mobility that is offers. It allows computers to wirelessly access computer networks, such as the Internet.
Caution
A fraudster may:
- Intercept your communications
- Access your computer and its data
- Use your Internet connection to commit offences
How can you protect yourself?
- Secure your wireless network at home:
- Change the user name and password used to manage your access point
- Restrict access to your access point’s administration page exclusively to the wired interface
- Change the network name (SSID) to a unique name that does not disclose information about you
- Activate the WPA or WPA2 security mechanism
- Choose a secrete phrase that is difficult to guess, for example, a random series of 20 or more characters
- Switch off your wireless access point when not used for extended periods
- Properly secure your computer to protect the data that it contains
- Disable the connection to ad hoc networks from your computer
- Disable the automatic connection to favourite networks on your computer
- When you access public wireless networks:
- Choose a secure network when available
- Avoid sending sensitive information from a public wireless network
- If you have to send sensitive information, encrypt the communication using a virtual private network or ensure that the website you are visiting is encrypted (its URL address begins with “https”)
- Disable file sharing
- Ensure that your computer does not contain any personal information
- If you have sensitive data on your computer, make sure that it is encrypted
- Manually disable your computer’s wireless access (using the switch or key combination for this purpose) when no longer needed
