Wi-Fi: Three steps to stay safe when connecting via wireless

11 October 2011 (#NCSAM – National Cyber Security Awareness Month)

Wi-Fi:  Three steps to stay safe when connecting via wireless

Those who have followed my writing on the subject of Wi-Fi security know my passion for taking seemingly basic steps to keep one’s wireless activity safe and secure.  In a recent survey conducted by the Wi-Fi Alliance 86% of all respondents had taken the appropriate steps to  secure their routers, but only 56% had taken the step to create a “hard” password, thus making themselves vulnerable to dictionary attacks or the like.

So take three basic steps to keep yourself Wi-Fi secure:

1.  WPA2 encryption
2.  Use strong passwords {example: (B$@iJH91$(~(K )  } and don’t reuse the password for another purpose.  If you share the password with a visitor, change the password.
3.  When using public networks, only use networks you know and if using open networks, only use HTTPS connections.

Stay safe and secure,

Christopher

Additional reading:

Online Safety: Neighborhood Watch Programs – WiFi

Passwords – Creation & Usage

Three Good Reasons to Lock Down Your Wireless Network

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 Additional Online Safety and Security tips in honor of #NCSAM (National Cyber Security Awareness Month)

09 October –  SMISH – don’t fall victim to SMS Phish: https://www.burgessct.com/2011/10/smish/
07 October – Mobile – daily risks mitigated: https://www.burgessct.com/2011/10/mobile-daily-risks-mitigated/
05 October – Game On! – Eight tips to stay safe online gaming: https://www.burgessct.com/2011/10/online-game/
03 October – Location Location Location – Ten tips to stay safe using location based services:https://www.burgessct.com/2011/10/location-location-location/
01 October – Cyber Security Awareness – Are You? Facebook is discussed:https://www.burgessct.com/2011/10/cyber-security-awareness-you/