The Security Mentor

OK, you're not running a business. You like your neighbors. What's the problem if someone outside your house can share your Internet connection?

Well, maybe none. You might see a slowdown when the teenager next door starts huge music downloads using your wireless network. If you're using a cable modem, the cable company might cut you off for "excessive use". Cable companies do that sometimes, but never explain what's "excessive".

It gets worse. The Recording Industry Association of America has been suing individuals lately for downloading copyrighted music. They sue the owner of the network address used for the download. That would be you, if someone connects to your wireless network and downloads Britney Spears tunes. If you get sued, there's a risk that the case will be in the newspapers and that everyone will think that you like Britney Spears.

Every now and then people on the wrong side of the law hunt for open wireless networks to use for illegal activity. Warning: don't click the following link if you're squeamish. There was a dramatic case of this in Canada last year.

Suppose you decide not to share your Internet connection. What do you do?

There are entire books about WiFi security. The basic problem is that almost all the security features available today are easy to bypass. They keep honest people and lazy people out of your network and only slow down the rest.

If you're buying all new equipment, look for the acronym "WPA". It's a little more work to set up. It's also new technology so glitches are likely. Use good passwords and you'll get good security as far as anyone knows today.

On older equipment the best you can expect without lots of effort is to persuade intruders to drive to a more vulnerable network. The easiest way to repel honest people is to rename your network. Use a name like "GOAWAY()". Wardrivers recognize the closed parentheses as a sign the network is meant to be private. Everyone else should understand "GOAWAY". But don't make the name a challenge.

Dishonest but lazy people will go away if you turn on the security features of your access point and your wireless cards. Look for the acronym "WEP" in the help files for your equipment. This is only about as secure as the lock on your bathroom door but it's more than most people do.