Do not leave your Wifi unsecured

You changed the administrative password for your WiFi router, right?

Everyone knows the factory default password so it doesn’t take a hacker to get it and lock you out of your own router. This is the most important security setting. It is one of the first things to do when setting up. Google your router manufacturer and model for the steps to change the default password.

InfoWorld.com is among the sites with articles about Google’s alleged tracking of open WiFi connections around the world. Germany is currently suing Google to see what data the Street View vans collected. Google is not alone is providing registries of WiFi hotspots. JiWire.com keeps a registry of free and paid hotspots around the world. Do you want your WiFi listed also?

WEP is easily hacked. Filtering by MAC addresses is effective but it’s a pain to keep up.

WPA2 is secure and easy to keep up. Here’s a couple of links to set up WPA2.

• Cisco/Linksys forum post with the steps
• YouTube video showing how to secure a Linksys
• Blog post – Upgrading your FIOS router to WPA2

If your WiFi isn’t covered, check the manual or the manufacturer’s website.