Describe the Security Capabilities of a Wireless Router

Wireless routers come without their security features enabled.

Using a wireless router adds potential risks to your home computer network, such as unwanted users hogging your bandwidth and looking files on your computer. Your wireless router has security settings that can offer security comparable to that of a wired router.

Wireless Settings

"PC Magazine" recommends restricting the number of devices on your network. To get to wireless settings, you router's manufacturer has a default Internet protocol (IP) address, a machine's identification number, for your device -- "http://192.168.1.1" is a popular one. Count the number of wired and wireless devices you have and limit the dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) to six IP addresses.

Encryption

All wireless routers have some sort of encryption available. Early routers used a 64-bit key called wireless encryption protection (WEP), but you should use the latest standard, which as of 2010 is WPA2.

Filtering

You can filter the media access control (MAC) address, the 12-character identification number given to any other network adapter, under your router's MAC filtering settings. Also, consider making your router invisible to network scanners by turning off the service set identifier (SSID).

References

• Microsoft: Improve the security of your wireless home network with Windows XP
• PC Magazine: Secure Your Wireless Network: Cast Out Wi-Fi Intruders
• Microsoft: Improve the security of your wireless home network with Windows XP
• PracticallyNetworked.com: Securing your Wireless Network
• Home-Network-Help.com: Wireless Router Configuration