7 Steps To A Secure Wireless Network

Wireless networks, often abbreviated to Wi-Fi, allow PCs, laptops and other devices to talk to each other using a short-range radio signal. However, to make a secure wireless network you will have to make some changes to the way it works once its switched on.

The signal of any short-range radio transmission can be picked up by any device in range that is tuned to the same frequency. This means that anyone with a wireless PC or laptop in range of your wireless network may be able to connect to it unless you take precautions.

If this happens then your network and PC are vulnerable to any or all of the following:

Freeloaders - Most wireless networks are used to share a broadband Internet connection. A Freeloader may connect to your network and use your broadband connection without your knowledge or permission. This could have an impact on your own use. You may notice your connection slows down as it shares the availability of the Internet with more users. Many home Internet services have limits to the amount of data you can download per month - a Freeloader could exceed this limit and you find your Internet bill charged for the extra amounts of data. More seriously, a Freeloader may use your Internet connection for some nuisance or illegal activity. The Police may trace the Internet connection used for such activity it would lead them straight back to you.

Eavesdropping - As information is transmitted an eavesdropper may connect to your wireless network and view all the information as it passes by. This is entirely undetectable by the user as the Eavesdropper is only listening not transmitting. Such sensitive information as bank account details, credit card numbers, usernames and passwords may be recorded.

Hacking - Even when the security features of a wireless network have been switched on unless these features are set-up correctly then anyone in range can hack in to the network. All home wireless network routers have a standard username and password for the administration of the network. All a hacker has to do is go through the list of standard usernames and passwords until he gains access. A hacker may then use your network for any of the above or gain access to your PC - your firewall may not prevent him because, as he is connected to your network, he is within the trusted zone.

Most wireless network equipment, when it comes out of the box, is not protected against these threats by default. This means you have to configure the network yourself to make it a secure wireless network.

How to secure a wireless network

Although all wireless equipment marked as 802.11 will have standard features such as encryption and access control each manufacturer has a different way it is controlled or accessed. This means that the advice that follows may seem a bit technical because we can only tell you what you have to do not how to do it. You should read the manual or help files that came with your equipment in order to see how to make a secure wireless network.

1. Use encryption. This is the bedrock of any secure wireless network and means that the data that passes over the wireless can only be decoded with the correct system of encryption and the correct password. Currently there are three methods of encryption for wireless networks usually referred to by their acronyms: WPA2, WPA-PSK and WEP. Each method can only be used if all the equipment on the network has the capability. As WPA2 is the most recent method of encryption, unless you have recently obtained the latest PCs, laptops & network device you probably will not be able to use it. WPA-PSK is the next best and is available on most hardware. If you are using older access points and network cards, you may find that you can only use WEP. Each method requires a key (a word or phrase used to make the encryption work). Make sure you use a word or phrase that would not be easily guessed. For example, dont use your address as the key.

2. Set up your network infrastructure as access point and not ad-hoc or peer to peer. These last two (ad-hoc and peer-to-peer) mean that network devices such as PCs and laptops can connect directly with each other without going through an access point. You have more control over how devices connect if you set the infrastructure to access point and so will make for a more secure wireless network.

3. choose an obscure name for the network - This important tip to having a secure wireless network is probably not used by about 99% of home users. The technical term for the name of the wireless network is SSID. The default SSID is usually the name and model of the wireless router or Internet provider e.g. NetgearDG834G or Sky9091. If you leave the SSID like this it makes hacking very easy so change the SSID as soon as you set up your network. Dont use your address, house name or family name these are too easy to guess.

4. Switch off the SSID broadcast. This tip goes hand in hand with No3 in creating a secure wireless network. This means that anyone wishing to connect to your wireless network must know its SSID i.e. the name of the network.

5. Change the name and password of the administration user for the wireless router but dont forget to make a note of what you change it to. A secure wireless network will have an admin user ID that is difficult to guess and a strong password that uses letter and numbers.

6. Unplug the wireless router whenever you are going to be away from home (or the office). Its also a good idea to set the time that the network can be used if the device allows it. For example, in an office you may not want to unplug the wireless router at the end of every day so you could set it to only allow connections between the hours of 7:30 AM and 7:30 PM.

7. Use MAC filtering If your wireless router or access point allows it, MAC filtering easily adds one more layer to make your wireless network secure. Every network card (the device installed in PCs and laptops that connect it to a network) has its own unique code, called a MAC address. In Windows XP you can see the MAC address by right-clicking on the network connection, choose status and then the support tab. In the support window click on details. The code labeled physical address is the MAC code for that network connection device. Make sure its the wireless network connection you select as the LAN connection will have a different MAC address. Most wireless routers or access points allow you to list the MAC codes that you wish to use the network. This means that you must grant permission to any PC or laptop that wants to connect to the network.

If you can put all seven of these tips in operation you will have a very secure wireless network.

Tim Maguire holds a Masters degree in Computer Science and is a full-time computer consultant. For further help in PC security you should visit this website http://www.keepyourpcsafe.co.uk

8 Ways to Clean Up Your IT Room - Know Your Fiber Management Options

:: Why do you need the fiber management system?

Fiber management systems is usually comprised of a series of wall and rack mounted enclosures. These enclosures are designed for the distribution and management of

fiber optic cables.

They are used for patching, splicing, distribution, storing, splitting, and coupling of fiber optic signals for both single mode and multimode cables.

Now let's examine the 8 great ways to manage your fiber cables and clean up your tangled telecom closet!

1. Wall Mount Patch Panel

Patch panels provide a convenient point for patching and storing fiber optic cables. They are available for termination of backbone cables and horizontal cables at cross-connects and for interconnection between fiber optic distribution cables and equipment jumper cables.

The wall mount patch panel provides fiber optic cable routing, organization, and storage. The panels usually come equipped with a cam lock in the installer side of the panel, allowing unrestricted access to the patching side. A second cam lock is used to lock both areas of the panel.

2. Wall Mount Distribution Panel

Wall mount distribution panels are used in backbone intermediate and horizontal cross-connects,equipment rooms, building entrances, telecommunications closets, computer rooms and

customer premise applications.

3. Rack Mount Patch Panel

The Rack Mount Patch Panels can be used in both cross-connect and interconnect applications. Preterminated multi-channel fiber optic pigtails are good for reducing installation costs and installer handling.

Rack mount patch panel pigtail can be quickly routed to the splicing location, eliminating the need for performing field terminations.

4. Rack Mount Splice Panel

The rack mount splice panel incorporates splicing within the fiber optic network bays. These enclosures are used for splicing a pre-terminated patch panel pigtail to the OSP cable.

The enclosures provide ample fiber storage within a removable drawer. Each drawer can accommodate up to two splice trays for a total of 48 fusion splices.

5. Rack Mount Coupler Panel

Rack mount coupler panels are used in network distribution signal monitoring, backbone intermediate and horizontal cross-connects, unidirectional/bi-directional links, equipment rooms, building entrances, head ends, trunking applications, central offices, and computer rooms.

6. Cable Routing Guides

Complete cable routing guide kits are composed of both enhanced cable brackets and vertical cable guides. The enhanced cable brackets are designed to provide better cable management entering and exiting enclosures. They allow fiber distribution frames to increase in fiber capacity by providing the ability to add or remove patch cords without disturbing neighboring fibers. The vertical cable guides manage cables routed vertically alongside the

enclosures.

7. Splice Trays

Splice trays provide an organized means of storing and protecting completed fiber optic splices. Bend radius protection and fold over arms prevent fibers from being damaged during handling. Each 300mm tray can accommodate up to 24 fusion splices or 12 mechanical splices. Each 200mm tray can accommodate up to 12 fusion or mechanical splices.

8. Fiber Cable Clamps

Fiber cable clamp provides a unique method for securing fiber optic cables. Each cable clamp includes a multi-diameter module that fits any size cable in its range. The multi-diameter modules adapt to fit fiber optic cables by removing a few layers from its center core. This method of securing the cable provides excellent protection and axial clamping.

Colin Yao is the sales manager at Fiber Optics For Sale Co. and an expert on fiber optic technologies and products. Learn even more about fiber cable management, fiber optic cable management rack mount, fiber management on Fiber Optics For Sale Co. web site.