Wireless Encryption
Another reader asked: Can you please tell me a little more about encryption in regards to wireless Internet?
Of course I can! We have mentioned encryption in some of our other articles before, but we've never really explained it very well, so thank you for asking this question. Before we get started, I need you to instill something into your mind. Just take note that when it comes to your wireless network, make sure you know you will always need encryption. There are no and, ifs or buts about it. You need it!
Okay, so, first of all, what is encryption? Well, it is the process of coding or scrambling information so that it can only be read by someone who knows the correct decoding key. Encryption is used a lot on secure Web sites and other data transfer programs. In other words, encryption stops anyone who is not supposed to read certain information from actually having access to it. For example, if you were to enter an unsecure site and a third party saw some of your information, they would be able to read it if you didn't have your encryption enabled. Otherwise, they would be able to see everything. It's always safer to do things over an encrypted line.
So, in regards to using a WiFi router, it's best to have your line encrypted. WiFi signals are basically radio waves and they can be picked up by any receiver without you ever knowing it. The receiver doesn't have to be connected to your router in order to gain access to your system. If you don't use encryption, all of the data you transfer over your computer is sent in a plain text format and it can and probably will be read by anyone who is interested.
When it comes to your wireless connection, it's just simply best to use every form of protection you can get. Along with having a personal firewall and an antivirus program on your computer, it's smart to use closed networks, address limitations and of course, encryption.
There are a couple types of encryption, including WPA and WPA2 (WiFi Protected Access). There's also WEP, but WPA is much stronger and it's newer. With WPA, your encryption key changes with every session, so it keeps your system much safer. To learn more about the different types of encryption and how to set them up for your system, you can read this tip. Let's raise a toast to your wireless safety!
~ Erin
