How to make a Wi-Fi connection more secured

Wireless hotspots are changing the way people work. These wireless local area networks (LANs) provide high speed Internet connection in public locations as well as at home and need nothing more than a mobile PC such as a laptop or notebook computer equipped with a wireless card.

In fact, hotspots are an everyday connection method for travelers and remote workers to browse the Internet, check their e-mail, and even work on their corporate networks while away from the office.

Hotspots range from paid services, such as T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless, to public, free connections. Hot spots are everywhere, including:

• Coffee shops
• Restaurants
• Libraries
• Bookstores
• Airports
• Hotel lobbies

But they all have one thing in common they are all open networks that are vulnerable to security breaches. And that means it's up to you to protect the data on your PC. In this article, we cover a few tips to make working in public locations more secure.

Try to choose more secure connections

It's not always possible to choose your connection type but when you can, opt for wireless networks that require a network security key or have some other form of security, such as a certificate. The information sent over these networks is encrypted, which can help protect your computer from unauthorized access. The security features of different networks appear along with the network name as your PC discovers them.

Make sure your firewall is activated

 A firewall helps protect your mobile PC by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network. It acts as a barrier that checks all incoming information, and then either blocks the information or allows it to come through. All Microsoft Windows operating systems come with a firewall, and you can make sure it's turned on.

To activate the Windows Vista Firewall

1. Click Start and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, click Network and Internet.
3. Under Windows Firewall, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
4. Ensure that On is selected.

To activate the Windows XP Firewall

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, click Network Connections.
3. In the Network Connections window, under Network Tasks, click Change Windows Firewall Settings.
4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, on the General tab, ensure that On is selected.

Monitor your access points

Chances are that there are multiple wireless networks anywhere you're trying to connect. These connections are all access points, because they link into the wired system that gives you Internet access. So how do you make sure you're connecting to the right one? Simple—by configuring your PC to let you approve access points before you connect.

Configure Windows Vista Access Points

Windows Vista takes the guesswork out of connecting to hotspots because you are automatically prompted to approve new connections. In addition, after you approve a connection, you assign it a profile for future use.

Configure Windows XP Access Points

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Network Connections.
2. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then clickProperties.
3. On the Wireless Networks tab, make sure that the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box is selected.
4. Under Preferred networks, make sure that the name of the network that you want to connect to is highlighted, and then click Advanced.
5. Click Access point (infrastructure) network only, and then click Close.

Disable file and printer sharing 

File and printer sharing is a feature that enables other computers on a network to access resources on your computer. When you are using your mobile PC in a hotspot, it's best to disable file and printer sharing when it's enabled, it leaves your computer vulnerable to hackers. Remember, though, to turn this feature back on when you return to the office.

Disable file and printer sharing in Windows Vista

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Network and Internet, and then click Network and Sharing Center.
3. Under Sharing and Discovery, click the arrow next to File sharing, click Turn off file sharing, and then click Apply.
4. Click the arrow next to Printer sharing, click Turn off printer sharing, and then click Apply.

Disable file and printer sharing in Windows XP

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Security Center, and then click Windows Firewall.
3. Click the Exceptions tab, and then under Programs and Services, clear the File and Printer Sharing check box.

Make your folders private

When the folders on your mobile PC are private, it's more difficult for hackers to access your files.

To make a folder private in Windows Vista

Windows Vista not only makes folders private by default, but it also requires passwords for shared folders. As a result, you're already covered! But if you want to double-check, simply right-click on the folder in question, and select Properties. On the Security tab, you can review the set permissions.

To make a folder private in Windows XP

1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. Click the drive where Windows is installed, and then click Documents and Settings.
3. Open your user folder, right-click the folder that you want to make private, and then click Properties.
4. On the Sharing tab, click Do no share this folder, and then click OK.

Repeat the steps above for each folder that you want to make private.

Encrypt your files

You can protect your files further by encrypting them, which requires a password to open or modify them. Because you must perform this procedure on one file at a time, consider password-protecting only the files that you plan to use while working in a public place.

How to Set up a Wireless Network

A wireless network can make using your computer more relaxing by letting you take it anywhere in your house—to your couch, your bedroom, or even your backyard. With a wireless network, you don't have to go out of your way to use the Internet, because it's everywhere in your home. You also don't have to be tied to your office to take care of other computer-related tasks—with a wireless network, you're always connected. You can search the Web for 'reseed lawn' and then, while reclining in front of the TV, print out your garden center shopping list on the printer in your home office.

Adding a wireless network to your home is easier than you think. It requires four steps:

• Choose your wireless equipment.
• Connect your wireless router.
• Configure your wireless router.
• Connect your computers and devices.

Choose your wireless equipment

The first step to setting up a wireless network is to make sure you have the equipment you need. You'll need at least two network components: a wireless router and a wireless network adapter.

If you're buying a new router, look for one with the Windows logo. This ensures that the router will work reliably in Windows XP, and if you decide to upgrade, it will work in Windows Vista and Windows 7 as well. Networking in Windows 7 has been simplified and improved.

• Wireless router. Converts the signals coming across your Internet connection into a wireless broadcast, sort of like a cordless phone base station. Be sure you get a wireless router and not a wireless access point.

• Wireless network adapter. Connects your computer to your wireless router. If you have a newer portable computer, you might already have wireless capabilities built in. To find out if you have wireless networking built in, and for more information about buying and installing a network adapter, read Install a wireless network adapter. Make sure you have an adapter for every computer on your network.

Connect your wireless router

1. Before you go any further, print these instructions. You'll be temporarily disconnected from the Internet, so while you're doing the installation, you won't be able to get to this page to refer to the instructions.

2. Locate your cable modem or DSL modem, and unplug it from its port to turn it off.

• If you connect your modem to the wall in a similar way that you connect your TV to your cable television outlet, you probably have a cable modem, and it probably has a coaxial cable connected to it (like the round black or white cable you plug into your TV).
• If you connect your modem through the phone lines, you probably have a DSL modem, and it probably has a phone cable connected to it.

3. If you currently use a dial-up connection to connect to the Internet, set up your wireless network using ad hoc Internet sharing.

4. Connect your wireless router to your modem. Your modem should stay connected directly to the Internet. Later, after you've hooked everything up, your computer will wirelessly connect to your router, and the router will send communications through your modem to the Internet.



To connect your router to your modem:

•	If you currently have a computer connected directly to your modem: Unplug the network cable from the back of your computer, and plug it into the port labeled Internet, WAN, or WLAN on the back of your router.
•	If you don't currently have a computer connected to the Internet: Plug one end of a network cable (included with your router) into your modem, and the other end of the network cable into the Internet, WAN, or WLAN port on your wireless router.

5. Plug in your router. After a minute or two, the Internet, WAN, or WLAN light on your router should light up, indicating that it has successfully connected to your modem.

 Configure your wireless router

There are two ways to configure your wireless router: using Windows Connect Now and manually.

•	If your router supports Windows Connect Now, you don't need to continue reading this article. You can configure your wireless router and Windows XP computers quickly and easily by following the instructions in Using Windows Connect Now technology.
•	If you don't have a router that supports Windows Connect Now, you need to manually configure your router:

1. Using the network cable that came with your wireless router, temporarily connect your computer to one of the wired network ports on your wireless router (any port that isn't labeled Internet, WAN, or WLAN).

2. Turn your computer on; it will automatically connect to your router.

3. Open Microsoft Internet Explorer and type in the address to configure your router, as described in your router's instruction manual.

4. Create a password if a prompt appears. The address and password you use will vary depending on what type of router you have, so refer to the instructions included with your router.

Tip: As a quick reference, this table shows the default addresses, user names, and passwords for some common router manufacturers.

5. Internet Explorer will show your router's configuration page. Most of the default settings should be fine, but you should configure three items:

• Set your wireless network name (known as the SSID) to something unique that does not identify your name or address.
• Enable Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) encryption to help prevent uninvited guests from connecting to your wireless network.

Note: We don't recommend using WEP. WPA-2 is more secure. If you try WPA-2 and it doesn’t work, we recommend that you upgrade your network adapter to one that works with WPA-2.

• Set your administrative password to prevent others from configuring your router.

The exact steps you follow will vary depending on the type of router you have. After each configuration setting (SSID, WEP, and administrative password), be sure you click Save Settings, Apply, or OK to save your changes.

Note: The pictures in this section show Linksys wireless equipment. Equipment from other manufacturers will vary in appearance. For example, to save your settings in Linksys, you click Save Settings. Other equipment may have a different display, and you may have to click Apply or OK.

SSID or naming your network

A service set identifier, or SSID, identifies your network. Choose a unique name that you're confident none of your neighbors will use, but don't specify your name or your address. This is not a security tool, so you don't need to make the SSID complex.

 Protecting your wireless network

Help prevent uninvited guests from connecting to your wireless network.

Administrative password 

The last configuration change you should make is to the administrative password. Just like any other password, the administrative password should not be a word you can find in the dictionary, and it should be a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Be sure you can remember this password, because you'll need it if you ever have to change your router's settings.

Tip: Write down your passwords on a piece of paper and store them in your home safe if you have one. If you don't have a home safe, store your passwords with your other important family documents. If you think of your passwords as important documents, you'll always know where to find them.

Now that you have configured your wireless router, named your wireless network, protected it, and assigned an administrative password, you are ready for the last step:

• Disconnect the network cable from your computer—you'll be able to connect wirelessly from now on.

Connect your computers and devices

If your computer does not have wireless network support built in, you can install a wired or a wireless network adapter. Windows XP will automatically detect the new adapter and might prompt you to insert the CD that came with it. The on-screen instructions will guide you through the configuration process.

Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) is not required for wireless networking, but it does make setting one up much easier. SP2 also helps protect you against viruses, worms, and other Internet intruders. To install SP2, visit Microsoft Update. The steps below apply only if you're using SP2. Windows XP will show an icon with a notification that says it has found wireless networks.

To connect your computer to your wireless network

1. Right-click the wireless network icon in the lower right corner of your screen, and then click View Available Wireless Networks.

Note: If you run into problems, consult the documentation that came with your network adapter. Don't hesitate to call the manufacturer's technical support number for help.

2. The Wireless Network Connection window appears and displays your wireless network listed with the SSID you chose. If you don't see your network, click Refresh network list in the upper left corner. Click your network, and then click Connect in the lower right corner.

3. Windows XP prompts you to enter a key. Type the encryption key that you wrote down earlier in both the Network key and Confirm network key boxes, and then click Connect.

4. Windows XP will show its progress as it connects to your network. If the Wireless Network Connection window continues to show Acquiring Network Address, you may have mistyped the encryption key—click Cancel and return to step 3.

After you're connected, you can close the Wireless Network Connection  window. Now you're ready to browse the Web wirelessly. You can also create a wireless network in your home that connects your computers, printers, cameras, games, and other accessories for easy access and enjoyment.