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Having a wireless computer network in your home means you've a supremely easy means of transferring files and sharing a broadband internet connection between computers. With no ethernet cables to lay down, you can even wander into the garden with a laptop for al fresco net surfing without trailing wires behind you.

However, wireless networking has security hazards. Your network is on the air, so anyone who knows what they're doing can tune in. It's easy enough to lock things down, so for peace of mind, let's address the key posers when aiming to keep a network from prying eyes.

Any data that is shared on your computer - ie, can be accessed by another network user - is available to whomever can get on to the network. So if you're in the habit of shuffling sensitive documents, such as financial accounts, personal photos and other private data, between home computers via a network, they're vulnerable. Also, other network users can use your internet connection to start downloading potentially huge files, making your own internet access run at a snail's pace. Hence it's wise to lock intruders out.

- How likely is it that someone will find my network?

It's becoming ever more likely that your wireless network will be noticed. Wireless home networking is on the rise, so people on housing estates may notice several networks from nearby houses appearing in 'show available networks' when using a Wi-Fi device. Those living near commercial enterprises, such as industrial parks and supermarkets, will probably detect the high-power wireless set-ups used by such businesses, and there's always potential for a wandering, laptop-equipped hacker to come ambling by and spot your own network.

- So who can see my Wi-Fi network?

If left unsecured, your network can be seen by anyone with a Wi-Fi-equipped computer. At the heart of the network is a router - the box that you plug into your internet connection - and it broadcasts a signal called a Security Set Identifier (SSID) that's unique to the device. If your home computers can see the SSID via their Wi-Fi connections, anyone else can with a desktop, laptop and even a hand-held computer.

- Can I stop others from even knowing I have a Wi-Fi network?

Making your network seemingly invisible is easy enough. The router can be configured not to transmit its SSID, which is to be recommended if you're not engaged in supplying a public internet-access 'hot spot' for public use. You'll need to access the router's configuration screen, which is shown in the manual. As an example, a Linksys WRT54G router can be configured by entering 192.168.1.1 into an attached computer's web browser in order to bring up the set-up pages. You should change the default SSID (hackers know router-manufacturer default settings by now) to something you'll remember and disable SSID broadcast.

- What do I need to protect it?

Even with the SSID switched off, the network is still vulnerable. If someone within range of the router gets wind of, or guesses, the new SSID, they can still get in. Thankfully, your Wi-Fi router supports a method of 'scrambling' wireless connections so that only authorised computers can hook up. Your router's set-up dialog enables you to activate Wired Equivalency Privacy (WEP), which encrypts communication between devices. Of course, if the data is encrypted, then the each computer will need a key do decrypt it. Hence the router generates 'keys' - sets of numbers and letters that act as a passcode for access. You may find both 16-bit and 128-bit encryption is offered and the latter is extremely powerful. It used to be considered military-strength, although it's now commonplace on home systems. Just bear in mind that some devices, such as palmtop computers, can't handle anything above 16-bit encryption. Activate WEP, set the encryption strength, choose a key that the router has generated and enter it into the wireless set-up dialog of the computer to be connected.

- Do I need to buy any expensive software?

Forget about spending extra on security software. Everything you need to secure a wireless network is built into the router and each computer's Wi-Fi hardware and software. As mentioned, you'll be able to access router set-up via a web browser from any connected computer. Just a word of caution, however. Access will be governed by a username and password, so it's best to change them from the manufacturer's default settings when you first fire up the router.

- Will securing my network stop me from adding more computers to it?

You can keep adding to the secured network so long as you know the security settings, such as the SSID and WEP keys, with which to configure new computers. The info you need can be retrieved from the router's set-up dialogs, so be careful to remember your router's username and password settings.

The above editorial is courtesy of the excellent Webuser Magazine

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