Home Wireless Network Security Software Insurance For Your High Speed Internet Service Connection
Home wireless network security software for your
DSL or cable high speed internet service is as
important as having good home owners insurance. Why? Because uninsured (unsecured)
high speed wireless internet connections can be used to steal valuables (information) on your
computer. Not so different from a thief stealing money or jewelry from your home while you’re
away on vacation. Crackers – not Hackers who are actually good code makers – crack into
home wireless networks for fun. And if they can’t access anything important from your
home computer, an experienced Cracker might use your unsecured wireless internet connection to
access other computers world wide. I hope this article will encourage you to secure your
high speed DSL or cable wireless internet connection today.
Enable Your Existing Wireless Network Security Software
Not too long ago, wireless network security was left to computer experts who would spend
hours analyzing the types of break-ins that were possible. These network security experts would
then write customized computer programs to prevent the scenarios from ever happening. Today,
you don’t need to be an expert to setup home
wireless internet security software. You can purchase,
download and install PC firewall software, and enable pre installed firewall software that came
with your internet modem. The goal of enabling both types of firewall software is to keep
outsiders away from your computers and home wireless network.
You’ll find that installing and maintaining a home wireless network firewall is easy and
rewarding. All you have to do is a little comparative shopping online or at your favorite
computer store. Today’s wireless modem makers Linksys, Netgear, 3Com and others include
wireless network security software pre installed. Check your existing wireless modem or
wireless router’s "guide to wireless network security" to see how you can enable your pre
installed firewall software and network security features. Once enabled, you’ll be rewarded
with peace of mind, and website like security navigation features.
Improve Wireless Internet Security With Firewall Filtering
A firewall is simply computer software that ‘filters’ or blocks unwanted data packets
from entering your home wireless network. How, you ask? Every time you type a website address
into your browser, a data packet is sent somewhere with something called a TCP/IP code attached
to it: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and internet Protocol (IP). If you’re on a high speed
DSL or dial up internet connection, for example, searching
for "network security jobs"
on Google, your firewall understands what type of TCP/IP data records are involved to send and
receive data from Google’s server located in California. Your computer sends a TCP/IP coded
data packet to Google, and Google’s server sends back the corresponding TCP/IP data packet filled
with the search results you requested. If the firewall doesn’t receive the proper "solicited"
TCP/IP code, the firewall simply blocks the data.
Often times, the firewall software will alert you and tell you that someone or some unsolicited
data packets are trying to enter your secure home wireless network. You can then click to either
approve or reject the incoming data packet. For home wireless networks, firewalls are best used
on two levels – computer and modem – each of which we will discuss shortly. First let me try to
convince you that a firewall is indeed important.
Security Issue For Wireless Network Connections
New DSL and cable high speed internet users often consider firewall software too complicated
to install, and hear friends and relatives suggest that firewall software is not needed. Don’t
listen to them! Everyone needs to protect their computers, their identity and their
wireless internet connection. Now for only $20 – $40 per year, you can purchase the best
firewall software with antivirus included to protect valuable assets such as your new $1,500 Dell
laptop computer and theft of your identity which can lead to $1,000’s in fraudulent credit card bills.
Why wait until you receive a lawsuit from Aftermath Records claiming you downloaded illegal copies of
EMINEM’s new albums online. No coincidence that your neighbor’s son was blasting "The Real Slim Shady"
till no end last month.
We’ve tried a few different network security products, and currently use the McAfee Security Center
product line to secure our wireless network. Look for the
McAfee VirusScan Plus AntiVirus, Firewall & AntiSpyware
2007 edition, 3-User license pack. Multiple license packs help to reduce cost, down to $19.66 per
computer for McAfee’s solid computer, firewall and home wireless network security software. This software
is of the type you install on each computer connected to your wireless network. One of the two levels
of firewall protection we continue to discuss.
Recently purchased high speed cable or DSL internet service with wireless modem? Their’s a good
chance that you already have the second level of firewall protection: pre installed firewall software
inside your wireless modem. No software to install, you just need to know how to
setup and enable existing wireless security features. Take another look through the documentation that
came with your wireless modem installation kit, or simply type http://192.168.1.1/ in your browser.
If you have firewall software pre installed on your wireless modem, a login screen will appear. If
http://192.168.1.1/ does not work, try http://192.168.0.1/ using any brand name router like Netgear,
Linksys or 3Com. If a login password is required, try "admin" or check the manufacturer’s website or
setup instructions for the "default" login password. Navigate through the website like screens to
change your default password immediately after you login.
Upgrade Your Modem To Improve Firewall Protection
If your high speed internet DSL, cable or satellite modem didn’t come with pre installed
firewall security, you can add a "gateway" to your home wireless network that will act as your firewall.
A gateway is a piece of hardware that is attached to your DSL, cable or satellite modem. Ask your local
retail geek for advice next time you visit Best Buy or Circuit City. You’ll then need to configure your
home wireless network so that all computers and computing equipment run through the new gateway, not as
bad as it sounds. If the add-on gateway you find is pricey, consider replacing the modem with a new
wireless modem-router-gateway combination, which can be purchased online for as little as $50.
Two Levels Of Firewall Security For Wireless Networks
Preventing Crackers, viruses and trojans from damaging your computer and your identity should be your
top priority. Unwise high speed internet connection users feel that running antivirus software is enough.
It really isn’t. Unsolicited attempts to access your computer and home wireless network are real. Protection
is needed on two levels, on each computer connected to your network, and on the wireless modem itself. I
recently installed a wireless network at a friend’s condo, and was not so surprised to find their neighbor’s
internet access was unsecured. Sure I connected just once – your computer connects automatically if it senses
an available wireless connection. Enabling a firewall pre installed on your existing wireless modem prevents
this wireless security issue immediately.
Our office wireless network logs show weekly intrusion attempts from trojans which arrive from odd places
such as Instant Messenger, Windows XP security bugs, and the use of removable USB memory sticks.
Firewall software installed on each computer in your home wireless network will protect you from these
issues. Again, we have been talking about two levels of firewall protection. At the first level is to
install firewall software on each of the computers on your home wireless network. Second level of
wireless networking protection is a firewall pre installed on your wireless modem.
Insurance Supplement For Your Home Wireless Network
Insure yourself by keeping two levels of firewall and antivirus software running at all times. Enable
the pre installed firewall software for your home wireless network modem, and Crackers will move onto easier
targets. Purchase, download, install and setup firewall software on each of your networked computers. The 2007
product line of McAfee firewall and antivirus combo software features easy to use, website like navigation
menus. Home owner’s insurance protects you against vandals and theft, but not identity theft, copyright
infringement and computer software damage. Supplement your home owner’s policy with
home wireless network security software at a price that far out ways the risk.
— Internet Service Deals
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