Is my home network safe?

Question

I have currently WEP secured network at home.IF someone breaks into my network and connects,is he able to view all my files stored on my harddrive?Should i change my security to WPA/WPA2?are they safe?

Thanks

Answer 1

Yes, if they get into your network none of your files are safe.

WEP is like closing the door but not locking it.

WPA is the newest encryption out there for Wireless routers.

It uses AES (64 characters), instead on the WEP which is I think only 12.

One thing that one must do is password protect ones router in order to keep people from logging into your network and stealing sensitive data.

If you think offenders are logging into your network through a router, than password protect your router.

Log into your router. Set up the password there.

XP

1) Goto Start/Run

2) Type in "cmd"

Vista

1) Click the Start button

2) Type in "command"

Once you are in the command prompt:

1)Type in "ipconfig"

2) In your Internet browser type in "http://" followed by your default gateway (found in the command prompt)

***Example: http://192.168.1.1 (try clicking the link)

3) Login (search online for login info) Usually admin, password

3) There should be a link on the side somewhere. It should have several options like WEP, WPA etc.

Regards,

Dane

Answer 2

Only if you have the files set to shared can they see them. If they are not then you should be fine.

Answer 3

yep  put passwords on everything, do not allow naked admin network rights, encrypt the drive folders and backup critical files to passworded pkzip files

i love wired networks.....lol....and they are faster...10/100/1GB

Answer 4

yes WEP is easy to crack change it to WPA

Answer 5

If all computers on your network support 802.11G, switch to WPA.

Some other steps you can take are:

1.Turn off the SSID beacon (broadcasting). You're not running a WiFi hotspot; all your computers should know the network name.

2.Change the SSID (network name) from the factory default so hackers can’t guess it.

3.Change the router administrator password.

4.Disable wireless access to your router's admin pages. Leave admin access for wired machines only. You don't have to keep one machine ON a wire, just leave a wire hanging from the router and connect to it when you need access to the admin pages.

5.Reduce the number of DHCP (automatic IP addressing) addresses in the router to the number of computers you have and no more.

Hope that helps.