Figure8 Information Studio

Does your company have to purchase a booster cap from your Internet Service Provider each month?
Are you wondering how your company could possibly go through so much bandwidth in a month?
Are you on a wireless network?
Did your Service Provider secure your Wi-Fi network and inform you of the security measures in place?
Are you aware of what eavesdroppers can see and do on an “unsecured wireless network.”?

If you answer no to the above questions, then you should consider contacting us to perform a security audit on your network.

Understanding the importance of securing a wireless network requires you to be aware of the issues resulting from not securing your network:

Real-time Traffic is Compromised

1. People can see what Web sites you’re visiting.
2. Login information to unsecured sites (non-SSL) is compromised, along with the content.
3. Login information and content from services such as POP3 e-mail accounts and FTP connections is compromised.

Network is Open for Others to Connect

1. Your internet connection may be used for sending and/or receiving illegal information, such as spam, music files or even child porn.
2. Others can access any shared files on PCs or servers connected to the network.

Securing your Private Wireless Network

Now that you understand the importance of Wi-Fi security, Figure8 Information Studio can implement methods like those discussed below to ensure your sensitive information is secure.

To Secure Real-time Traffic

1. Use WEP encryption at the minimum; ideally, go with WPA encryption.

To Prevent Others from Connecting

1. Try to keep wireless coverage within a controlled area.
2. Use MAC address filtering.
3. Limit DHCP addresses, or assign static addresses.
4. Disable SSID Broadcast.

Keep in mind that the use of encryption is the only method that adequately secures the real-time traffic, such as e-mails and Web browsing, on your wireless network. Most other security methods, such as MAC address filtering and disabling SSID broadcast, are intended to help prevent others from successfully connecting to the wireless network.

You can never be sure that your wireless network is completely secure. However, implementing multiple security methods means it will be much more difficult for Wi-Fi eavesdroppers to capture readable real-time data.

Protecting Yourself on Public Hotspots

When you’re using an unsecured wireless network, such as a hotspot in a hotel, cafe, airport or any other public location, you should take steps to make sure your sensitive information isn’t exposed:

Secure Your Real-time Traffic

1. Use a VPN connection.
2. Make sure any services you use, such as POP3 and FTP, are secured if you are not using a VPN.
3. Don’t visit any private or sensitive Web site unless it’s secured (for example, implementing SSL) if you are not using a VPN.

Prevent Others from Connecting to Your Laptop

1. Disable any sharing of files, folders and services.
2. Use personal firewall software.
3. Make sure your operating system is kept up to date.

A VPN connection encrypts any data sent from your wireless adapter all the way to the VPN server and vice versa, therefore providing end-to-end encryption. Along with providing a great way to secure the data, this also enables access to the remote network hosting via VPN server, which is often used in businesses. If you aren’t provided with a VPN connection by your employer, you can either set up your own server, for example using Windows XP, or use a subscription-based, hosted service such as JiWire’s SpotLock.