Insurance For Your High Speed Internet Service Connection
Home wireless network security software for your DSL or cable high speed internet service is as important as having good home owners insurance. Why? Because uninsured (unsecured) high speed wireless internet connections can be used to steal valuables (information) on your computer. Not so different from a thief stealing money or jewelry from your home while you're away on vacation. Crackers - not Hackers who are actually good code makers - crack into home wireless networks for fun. And if they can't access anything important from your home computer, an experienced Cracker might use your unsecured wireless internet connection to access other computers world wide. I hope this article will encourage you to secure your high speed DSL or cable wireless internet connection today.
Enable Your Existing Wireless Network Security Software
Not too long ago, wireless network security was left to computer experts who would spend hours analyzing the types of break-ins that were possible. These network security experts would then write customized computer programs to prevent the scenarios from ever happening. Today, you don't need to be an expert to setup home wireless internet security software. You can purchase, download and install PC firewall software, and enable pre installed firewall software that came with your internet modem. The goal of enabling both types of firewall software is to keep outsiders away from your computers and home wireless network.
You'll find that installing and maintaining a home wireless network firewall is easy and rewarding. All you have to do is a little comparative shopping online or at your favorite computer store. Today's wireless modem makers Linksys, Netgear, 3Com and others include wireless network security software pre installed. Check your existing wireless modem or wireless router's "guide to wireless network security" to see how you can enable your pre installed firewall software and network security features. Once enabled, you'll be rewarded with peace of mind, and website like security navigation features.
Improve Wireless Internet Security With Firewall Filtering
A firewall is simply computer software that 'filters' or blocks unwanted data packets from entering your home wireless network. How, you ask? Every time you type a website address into your browser, a data packet is sent somewhere with something called a TCP/IP code attached to it: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and internet Protocol (IP). If you're on a high speed DSL or dial up internet connection, for example, searching for "network security jobs" on Google, your firewall understands what type of TCP/IP data records are involved to send and receive data from Google's server located in California. Your computer sends a TCP/IP coded data packet to Google, and Google's server sends back the corresponding TCP/IP data packet filled with the search results you requested. If the firewall doesn't receive the proper "solicited" TCP/IP code, the firewall simply blocks the data.
Often times, the firewall software will alert you and tell you that someone or some unsolicited data packets are trying to enter your secure home wireless network. You can then click to either approve or reject the incoming data packet. For home wireless networks, firewalls are best used on two levels - computer and modem - each of which we will discuss shortly. First let me try to convince you that a firewall is indeed important.
Security Issue For Wireless Network Connections
New DSL and cable high speed internet users often consider firewall software too complicated to install, and hear friends and relatives suggest that firewall software is not needed. Don't listen to them! Everyone needs to protect their computers, their identity and their wireless internet connection. Now for only $20 - $40 per year, you can purchase the best firewall software with antivirus included to protect valuable assets such as your new $1,500 Dell laptop computer and theft of your identity which can lead to $1,000's in fraudulent credit card bills. Why wait until you receive a lawsuit from Aftermath Records claiming you downloaded illegal copies of EMINEM's new albums online. No coincidence that your neighbor's son was blasting "The Real Slim Shady" till no end last month.
We've tried a few different network security products, and currently use the McAfee Security Center product line to secure our wireless network. Look for the McAfee VirusScan Plus AntiVirus, Firewall & AntiSpyware 2007 edition, 3-User license pack. Multiple license packs help to reduce cost, down to $19.66 per computer for McAfee's solid computer, firewall and home wireless network security software. This software is of the type you install on each computer connected to your wireless network. One of the two levels of firewall protection we continue to discuss.
Recently purchased high speed cable or DSL internet service with wireless modem? Their's a good chance that you already have the second level of firewall protection: pre installed firewall software inside your wireless modem. No software to install, you just need to know how to setup and enable existing wireless security features. Take another look through the documentation that came with your wireless modem installation kit, or simply type http://192.168.1.1/ in your browser. If you have firewall software pre installed on your wireless modem, a login screen will appear. If http://192.168.1.1/ does not work, try http://192.168.0.1/ using any brand name router like Netgear, Linksys or 3Com. If a login password is required, try "admin" or check the manufacturer's website or setup instructions for the "default" login password. Navigate through the website like screens to change your default password immediately after you login.
Upgrade Your Modem To Improve Firewall Protection
If your high speed internet DSL, cable or satellite modem didn't come with pre installed firewall security, you can add a "gateway" to your home wireless network that will act as your firewall. A gateway is a piece of hardware that is attached to your DSL, cable or satellite modem. Ask your local retail geek for advice next time you visit Best Buy or Circuit City. You'll then need to configure your home wireless network so that all computers and computing equipment run through the new gateway, not as bad as it sounds. If the add-on gateway you find is pricey, consider replacing the modem with a new wireless modem-router-gateway combination, which can be purchased online for as little as $50.
Two Levels Of Firewall Security For Wireless Networks
Preventing Crackers, viruses and trojans from damaging your computer and your identity should be your top priority. Unwise high speed internet connection users feel that running antivirus software is enough. It really isn't. Unsolicited attempts to access your computer and home wireless network are real. Protection is needed on two levels, on each computer connected to your network, and on the wireless modem itself. I recently installed a wireless network at a friend's condo, and was not so surprised to find their neighbor's internet access was unsecured. Sure I connected just once - your computer connects automatically if it senses an available wireless connection. Enabling a firewall pre installed on your existing wireless modem prevents this wireless security issue immediately.
Our office wireless network logs show weekly intrusion attempts from trojans which arrive from odd places such as Instant Messenger, Windows XP security bugs, and the use of removable USB memory sticks. Firewall software installed on each computer in your home wireless network will protect you from these issues. Again, we have been talking about two levels of firewall protection. At the first level is to install firewall software on each of the computers on your home wireless network. Second level of wireless networking protection is a firewall pre installed on your wireless modem.
Insurance Supplement For Your Home Wireless Network
Insure yourself by keeping two levels of firewall and antivirus software running at all times. Enable the pre installed firewall software for your home wireless network modem, and Crackers will move onto easier targets. Purchase, download, install and setup firewall software on each of your networked computers. The 2007 product line of McAfee firewall and antivirus combo software features easy to use, website like navigation menus. Home owner's insurance protects you against vandals and theft, but not identity theft, copyright infringement and computer software damage. Supplement your home owner's policy with home wireless network security software at a price that far out ways the risk.
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