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5 Ways to Improve the Security of Your Wireless Network
Filed Under: Compliance
The security of your wireless network should be top priority. Wireless networks are convenient and easy to set up and use, which makes them perfect for the office. But they’re also notorious for poor security and compromising your data. The worst thing you can do is set up a wireless network and start using it right out of the box. The default settings are just there to make it possible to get the network up and running. But most of these configurations don’t take security into account.
Anyone may be able to get into your wireless network if you don’t adjust these settings. Back in 2004, just under 500 businesses were surveyed by the Computer Crime and Security Survey and admitted that their losses were over $140 million in the prior year, including losses thanks to unsecured wireless connections. If you’ll follow these five easy tips, you’ll be going a long way toward protecting your network security.
1. Act as if a Security Breach is Possible
If you assume that someone can and may want to break into your wireless network, you’re better able to prepare for it and prevent it. Don’t assume that your network is in no danger. In fact, most problems are never even noticed because hackers can get in and out without leaving a footprint. Look for an application that will alert you if there’s an intrusion or attack.
2. Develop a Policy for Your Network’s Security
It might be in your company’s best interest to hire a security consultant to create the policy. This policy will dictate where the wireless access points are and who has access to them. The book “Writing Information Security Policies” by Scott Barman is a good primer on how to do this yourself.
3. Use One Vendor
If you purchase network equipment from a variety of vendors, you could be leaving holes in your security where the network can be attacked. A program like Microsoft’s Baselines Security Analyzer will check your network for problems with configurations and settings that could be leaving holes and weak spots in your security. If you stick with one vendor company, there’s much less chance of there being incompatible programs and hardware that causes these problems.
4. Adjust Settings for Top Security
Use WEP (Wireless Encryption) on the highest level you can, and be sure you keep your wireless router up-to-date with security patches and firmware.
5. Use Passwords Wisely
Don’t neglect to change things like logins and passwords, especially on an administrative level. Change them regularly for the best protection, and use good passwords. Passwords that contain uppercase and lowercase letters as well as numbers and even some symbols if possible are the most secure. Don’t use words found in a dictionary, as they’re too easy to figure out, but use random combinations instead.
If you feel that these measures don’t give you as much wireless network security as you want, you can choose things like email with security encryption and require more authentication for users.
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