Adept Networks: Tips For Securing Your Business Wireless Network Undefined

Online, May 9, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Adept Networks is a leading IT consulting firm that specializes in network security. They have found that with many small businesses and home offices that Wi-Fi internet security is often overlooked. Adept has recently written a blog post identifying some things small business owners should be aware of and the simple fixes that will prevent future problems.

Wi-Fi routers and access points are, by default, not secure when purchased. Without encryption enabled, anyone nearby can easily connect to an open network. Adept states that at best, an open wireless network will be used for internet for browsing and downloading simply slowing down your connection. However, if they wanted to, people could possibly access computers and files. Worst case scenario infiltrators could easily capture passwords or hijack accounts for websites and services that don't use SSL encryption, such as some web-based email clients, Facebook, and Twitter.

If an Internet service provider (ISP) has set up the Wi-Fi, it likely has enabled encryption. This version of encryption, however, may be an older security option that's now easily breakable: Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). If the Wi-Fi network is using WEP, it's easy to switch to WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2, which is even more advanced. Nearly every router offers these and the various advanced modes that offer businesses various levels of security and convenience.

The Personal mode of WPA/WPA2 is easier to set up, but is subject to brute-force dictionary cracking. This means that someone could potentially come up with a businesses encryption passphrase by running software that repeatedly tries to guess it from a dictionary of common words, passwords, and combinations. Adept states that this isn't a likely issue if a password uses long and 'random' combinations of characters and digits.

Adept recommends never using Personal mode for an organization that has more than a couple of Wi-Fi users. In this mode, all computers and devices connecting to the network are set with the same encryption passphrase, which creates issues when employees leave the company or a device becomes lost. The Enterprise mode of WPA/WPA2 is much more complex to set up and requires a server, but it provides better security for organizations. Along with the security itself being stronger, this mode provides each Wi-Fi user with their own username and password for logging onto the Wi-Fi instead of a global passphrase. This means that if an employee leaves the company or their device is stolen, managers only have to change their password on the server.

The Enterprise mode also prevents users from snooping each other's traffic, capturing passwords, or hijacking accounts, since the encryption keys (exchanged in the background) are unique to each user session.

Adept says a lot of people aren't sure if their Wi-Fi is encrypted or not, but they can quickly check. On a PC or device that's connected to the Wi-Fi network (or at least has Wi-Fi), simply open the list of available wireless networks and find the name of the network you use. In Windows, click the network icon in the lower right corner of your screen. On a Mac, click on the network icon at the top right, next to the volume button. A symbol shaped like a lock means that it is a secured network. Clicking on that network will provide more specific information.

To learn more about wireless network security you can read Adept's full article at:
http://www.adeptnetworks.com/basic-wireless-network-security-for-your-business/