In order to retain your internet security and maintain your privacy, you should undertake all the necessary steps to ensure that your wireless network is secure. If your network is not secure, then it can be easily hacked and anybody can intrude into your network. If your network is hacked, then your operating system can be infected by a virus and it can easily damage your files.

The damage is not only to this extent, but also to the extent that somebody can use your bandwidth for downloading their own data or the hacker can even slow the speed of your wireless connection by intruding into your bandwidth.

Here are a few tips that will help you secure your wireless network to the maximum extent.

• Encryption encodes the data that is transmitted between your computer and your wireless router. Routers do have the encryption option within them but this option is generally not activated by users and is ignored most of the times. If you have not enabled your router’s encryption, then you should do so immediately. If possible, you should use Wireless Protected Access (WPA) since it is hard to hack as compared to other protocols.
• If you have an older router, that supports some other protocol, then you should upgrade the router for it to become Wireless Protected Access (WPA) compatible. For this check the manufacturer’s web site for a firmware update that will support the WPA protocol.
• You should install a firewall router in your system as well. In this way the firewall will be enabled in your router. The firewall will prevent hackers from getting access to your PC.
• Install a good anti-virus software installed into your computer. You can get access to many free anti-virus software on the internet. It is also important that you always have an up to date anti-virus software.
• When your Wireless network is not in use, you should always switch off your router. In this way the network connection will be disabled and no hacker will be able to access your network.
• You should always create a strong network password on your computer. The password should have more characters i.e. it should be long. It should also contain alphanumeric characters as well.
• It is also important that you change the default network name and password on your router. The default network password can be easily obtained if it is kept weak. As mentioned above, the password settings should be strong so that nobody is able to break into your network very easily.
• You should also have the latest operating system in your computer so that you can download the latest security software and keep your computer as updated as possible.