Your Wireless Access Point will have an SSID – a “name” that was given to it at the factory, typically “Linksys” or “default.” Obviously, these are well known in the hacker community, and the fact that most wireless networks have never had this ID changed makes them more vulnerable.

By their very nature, wireless networks broadcast their availability so that wireless cards in devices can find them. But just because it broadcasts it’s presence does NOT mean it has to also broadcast i

But along with that freedom come dangers. After all, wireless is really just radio waves, which don’t just go between your laptop and your network, they go all over the place, just waiting to be plucked from the ether by someone with just the right device and bad intentions.

This Special Report covers home users. Small Businesses face increased risks that come with an increased number of users with increased access to the businesses’ hardware.

The dangers fall into 2 categories – Data Security and Bandwidth Stealing both of which can be solved with the same steps.

At first there was only one provision for restricting wireless access, WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy). WEP, however, has many vulnerabilities

Now there’s also WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), which is newer technology and more secure, if you follow the basic steps.

As with almost any technology, the landscape is always changing. New security systems challenge the hackers. They respond with new hacks, which are respsponded to with new security. It’s a never-ending dance.

However, by taking the following simple steps you will greatly reduce your vulnerability, at least for now. Consult the documentation that came with your wireless network hardware and software to see exactly how to implement these steps.

1. Don’t use the default Administrator Password

   This is the most-often ignored and most basic step. Your Wireless Access Point is shipped with either a default administrative password, or no password at all. Be sure to change this before you you use your WAP for the first time. It should be a password that you will not forget, but would not be easy to guess.

   One easy trick is to substitute numbers for letters, for instance the number 3 for the letter E, and the number 7 for the letter T. So the word “gadget” becomes gadg37. Of course you will want a longer password, because the longer the password, the harder to crack. And remember to use boh UPPER and lower case.

   Most of the default administrative passwords are well known to the hackers. After all, all they would have to do is check the default password on THEIR wireless devices!

2. Replace your default WAP’s SSID

   Your Wireless Access Point will have an SSID – a “name” that was given to it at the factory, typically “Linksys” or “default.” Obviously, these are well known in the hacker community, and the fact that most wireless networks have never had this ID changed makes them more vulnerable.

3. Stop Broadcasting Your SSID!

   By their very nature, wireless networks broadcast their availability so that wireless cards in devices can find them. But just because it broadcasts it’s presence does NOT mean it has to also broadcast it

   The Perfect Home Business
   Have you ever dreamed of owning your own business? Perhaps working from home, out of your own home office. Waking up in the morning whenever you want to and working the hours that you decide. Wouldn't it be nice to not have to rush out of bed in the morning and grab a quick breakfast just to beat the morning rush hour, only to repeat the process on the way home and again the next day?I know I have... For years I dreamed of working for myself, at home. I wanted to be able to get up in the morning, walk down the hall and whalaa.. I'm in my office.I wanted a business with an unlimited income potential. In fact, I also wanted the option to work elsewhere if I so desire. An opportuni
   e with an increased number of users with increased access to the businesses’ hardware.

   The dangers fall into 2 categories – Data Security and Bandwidth Stealing both of which can be solved with the same steps.

   At first there was only one provision for restricting wireless access, WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy). WEP, however, has many vulnerabilities

   Now there’s also WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), which is newer technology and more secure, if you follow the basic steps.

   As with almost any technology, the landscape is always changing. New security systems challenge the hackers. They respond with new hacks, which are respsponded to with new security. It’s a never-ending dance.

   However, by taking the following simple steps you will greatly reduce your vulnerability, at least for now. Consult the documentation that came with your wireless network hardware and software to see exactly how to implement these steps.

   1. Don’t use the default Administrator Password

      This is the most-often ignored and most basic step. Your Wireless Access Point is shipped with either a default administrative password, or no password at all. Be sure to change this before you you use your WAP for the first time. It should be a password that you will not forget, but would not be easy to guess.

      One easy trick is to substitute numbers for letters, for instance the number 3 for the letter E, and the number 7 for the letter T. So the word “gadget” becomes gadg37. Of course you will want a longer password, because the longer the password, the harder to crack. And remember to use boh UPPER and lower case.

      Most of the default administrative passwords are well known to the hackers. After all, all they would have to do is check the default password on THEIR wireless devices!

   2. Replace your default WAP’s SSID

      Your Wireless Access Point will have an SSID – a “name” that was given to it at the factory, typically “Linksys” or “default.” Obviously, these are well known in the hacker community, and the fact that most wireless networks have never had this ID changed makes them more vulnerable.

   3. Stop Broadcasting Your SSID!

      By their very nature, wireless networks broadcast their availability so that wireless cards in devices can find them. But just because it broadcasts it’s presence does NOT mean it has to also broadcast i

      The Top 5 Secrets to Managing Your Credit Cards-So They Won't Manage You
      You’ve probably never heard of Frank X. McNamara, but he revolutionized the way you shop on a daily basis.One evening in 1949, McNamara—head of the Hamilton Credit Corporation in New York City—was dining out with two business associates. Their topic of discussion: one of McNamara’s clients, who was defaulting on a loan because he had shared his gasoline and department-store credit cards with some friends in need. Unfortunately, the friends didn’t have the money to pay back what they had borrowed, so the good samaritan was now facing his own financial demise.As the meal ended, McNamara reached for his wallet so he could pick up the check. To his horror, he realized he had left it
      ckers. They respond with new hacks, which are respsponded to with new security. It’s a never-ending dance.

      However, by taking the following simple steps you will greatly reduce your vulnerability, at least for now. Consult the documentation that came with your wireless network hardware and software to see exactly how to implement these steps.

      1. Don’t use the default Administrator Password

         This is the most-often ignored and most basic step. Your Wireless Access Point is shipped with either a default administrative password, or no password at all. Be sure to change this before you you use your WAP for the first time. It should be a password that you will not forget, but would not be easy to guess.

         One easy trick is to substitute numbers for letters, for instance the number 3 for the letter E, and the number 7 for the letter T. So the word “gadget” becomes gadg37. Of course you will want a longer password, because the longer the password, the harder to crack. And remember to use boh UPPER and lower case.

         Most of the default administrative passwords are well known to the hackers. After all, all they would have to do is check the default password on THEIR wireless devices!

      2. Replace your default WAP’s SSID

         Your Wireless Access Point will have an SSID – a “name” that was given to it at the factory, typically “Linksys” or “default.” Obviously, these are well known in the hacker community, and the fact that most wireless networks have never had this ID changed makes them more vulnerable.

      3. Stop Broadcasting Your SSID!

         By their very nature, wireless networks broadcast their availability so that wireless cards in devices can find them. But just because it broadcasts it’s presence does NOT mean it has to also broadcast i

         Information - The Art Of Selling
         Money may well make the world go round, but facts, details and data oil the machine that beats at the heart of it. We supposedly live in the age of information, yet many of us seem unable to use it to its full, and allow ourselves to drift along on a sea of missed opportunities.If we can take it for granted that you have a good product, it should be a safe assumption that the single most powerful marketing tool at your disposal is information - the simple truth. You're not selling a duff product, trying to convince punters that underneath the rusty exterior lies a power beast… nor are you trying to sell ice to the Eskimos. You're trying to sell your software to people who either need i
         efore you you use your WAP for the first time. It should be a password that you will not forget, but would not be easy to guess.

         One easy trick is to substitute numbers for letters, for instance the number 3 for the letter E, and the number 7 for the letter T. So the word “gadget” becomes gadg37. Of course you will want a longer password, because the longer the password, the harder to crack. And remember to use boh UPPER and lower case.

         Most of the default administrative passwords are well known to the hackers. After all, all they would have to do is check the default password on THEIR wireless devices!

      4. Replace your default WAP’s SSID

         Your Wireless Access Point will have an SSID – a “name” that was given to it at the factory, typically “Linksys” or “default.” Obviously, these are well known in the hacker community, and the fact that most wireless networks have never had this ID changed makes them more vulnerable.

      5. Stop Broadcasting Your SSID!

         By their very nature, wireless networks broadcast their availability so that wireless cards in devices can find them. But just because it broadcasts it’s presence does NOT mean it has to also broadcast i

         Affiliate Programs - Points To Consider Before You Join One
         Affiliate Marketing TipsWhat Is An Affiliate Program? Affiliate programs (also known as associate programs), are online arrangements whereby a merchant website pays you (the affiliate) a commission for sending traffic (customers) to them. In essence you are promoting whatever product(s) that merchant is selling. The beauty of this system is that it does not involve: stocking merchandise; shipping and handling; processing credit cards or any kind of customer support. And an added bonus is that you don't even need a website for this type of internet marketing.Points To Consider Before You Join An Affiliate Program1. Is The Company Trustwo
         reless devices!

      6. Replace your default WAP’s SSID

         Your Wireless Access Point will have an SSID – a “name” that was given to it at the factory, typically “Linksys” or “default.” Obviously, these are well known in the hacker community, and the fact that most wireless networks have never had this ID changed makes them more vulnerable.

      7. Stop Broadcasting Your SSID!

         By their very nature, wireless networks broadcast their availability so that wireless cards in devices can find them. But just because it broadcasts it’s presence does NOT mean it has to also broadcast it’s SSID. For a hacker to connect to your network, he has to know your SSID. There’s no sense in just giving it to him!

      8. Encrypt your transmissions

         Right out of the box, your wireless network will send your data completely unencrypted. That means that hackers can capture your data and easily read it. Older networking hardware uses WEP 128-bit encryption when enabled, but newer WPA encryption, now built into most hardware is far superior. It should be required on all your wireless computers and devices.

         WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) encryption, which includes both scrambling and authentication is much more secure than WEP.

         All your wireless computers should use MAC Addressing MAC (Media Accessing Control NOT a MacIntosh computer) is an unique hardware address you should assign to your wireless computers so that your Wireless Access Point will only allow these specific computers to connect to your wireless network.

         To find your computer's MAC address, click Start>>Run. In the Open box, type CMD and click OK. At the prompt, type IPCONFIG /ALL and press Enter. Scroll down and write down what is listed as "Physical Address." It will be something like 00-00-00-00-00-00.

         Enter this address in your router's management program. This won't keep determined hackers out, but it makes things more difficult. It might be enough to encourage them to go elsewhere.

      9. Keep your network and computers updated

         As with any software, your Wireless Access Point manufacturer will update the drivers and software to close vulnerabilities and improve performance. By keeping up to date you can stay ahead of the hackers.

      10. Can you use secure connections?

          Nowadays may ISPs will provide SSL and other secure services. Check with your ISP and use these services where available.

      11. Keep your Operating System and Security Software up to date and patched

          Your security software includes anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-adware and anti-Browser Helper Object software up to date, as well as keeping your Operating Software patched.

      12. Remember that public hotspots are NOT Secure

          Whenever you are using a public hotspot, be aware that you are extra vulnerable. Try to NOT do your banking or other critical computing at public hotspots. You are much better off connecting over a dialup connection than in an inse