How to Secure Your Wireless Network Router

Setting up a wireless network in your home is easy, affordable, and, above all, convenient. Imagine being able access the Internet from any point in your home! You could check your e-mail from your bedroom, while watching TV or even outside on a porch. This kind of flexibility is available for you with a wireless network router.

A wireless network router takes your incoming Internet connection, whether it's DSL, cable or fiber-optic, and converts it into a wireless broadcast signal. Any device with a wireless network adapter will sync up to your wireless network router and, in a matter of minutes, your home wireless network is setup.

But is it secure? Your wireless network router doesn't automatically discriminate between your laptop and your neighbor's. So what is the big deal? Do I really need to secure my wireless network router? In a word, yes. A secure wireless network router means a number of things. First of all, it could cost you more money to have an unsecured wireless network router. Many Internet providers include a set limit on the number of downloads. This limit is usually generous enough to never be a problem - but what if you have a couple of neighbors who "steal" your signal and download all day and night? It'll cost you money!

Not to mention that access to your wireless network router can put your privacy at risk. Many home networks are now fluid enough that you can access the files on any computer on it. This can be very useful. You can access a spreadsheet on your desktop from your laptop in a different room. But it can also be very dangerous - if you can use your wireless network router to view the spreadsheet, so can a neighbor.

To protect your wireless network router is simple and requires only a few steps. The first is to activate a WEP encryption password to access the network. This will solve the majority of any unwelcome guests on your wireless network router. You can also limit the number of IP addresses your wireless network router can assign to the number of computers you own. Other computers won't be able to get in. Finally, you can adjust the broadcast strength of your wireless network router to make sure it doesn't make it past your property lines - just be sure you still get a signal in all the rooms you want to be able to access your network in.

Taking a few steps to secure your wireless network router means that you will have all the benefits of having a home wireless network - without the risks to your privacy and pocketbook!