Protecting Your Job-Site Wireless Network

Setting up a wireless network in your store or work site? Here are some tips to create a secure wireless network:

Enable Wi-Fi protected access (WPA).
This encrypt any wireless data that is transmitted, and prohibits eavesdropping. A strong password (at least eight characters, using both numbers and letters) should be used when this encryption is set up.
Change the network name.
When setting up your network, change its name from the default set by the manufacturer.
Close your network.
Don’t broadcast your network so that anyone can find it.
Carefully choose the placement of the wireless access point.
To lessen the chances that the wireless signal will travel very far outside a house or building where it could be intercepted, the access point should be placed in the middle of the structure, away from doors and windows.
Change the default login.
When setting up an access point or router you will be able to enter your network address and account information. Usually the default logins are simple and very well-known to hackers.
Set up a MAC access control list.
The access point should be set so that it only enables network access to trusted Media Access Control (MAC) addresses. Every network card has a unique MAC identifier, and this way rogue wireless connections can be filtered out by only letting trusted MAC addresses that are on the MAC List have access to the wireless network.
Turn off network when not in use.
Someone can’t hack what isn’t there.

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