With a wireless network, you are no longer tied to your desk. You can communicate with friends and surf the Web anywhere you can receive a wireless network signal. However, be aware that there are some risks involved.

Wireless networks are a great way to share files, printers, and your Internet connection to any computer in your home. The whole family can be online at the same time and enjoy the positive benefits offered by the Internet. Still, it is important to take some precautions in order to make sure uninvited guests don’t connect to your network.

The risks
Wireless networks don't stop at the walls of your home. In fact, wireless networks often extend more than 100 meters from your wireless router. If you live in an apartment, you may have dozens of neighbours who can access your wireless network. If you live in a house, your neighbours and even people on the street may be able to connect to your network.

People who can connect to your wireless network might be able to:

• Slow down your Internet performance.

• View files on your computers and spread dangerous software.

• Monitor the websites you visit, read your e-mail and instant messages as they travel across the network, and copy your usernames and passwords.

• Send spam or perform illegal activities with your Internet connection.
  

Tips on how to secure your wireless network
By setting up security features on your wireless network, you can make it very difficult for uninvited guests to connect.

Here are some useful tips:

Don't let strangers use your network
Password-protect your wireless connection. Turn on WEP (wired equivalency privacy) or WPA (Wi-Fi protected access) on all of your devices, including your router, your media center, and your game console system.

For more information on how to set up a security key for Windows, visit Microsoft’s websites:

Microsoft Online Safety: Set up a security key for a wireless network.

Move your wireless router
Place the wireless access point away from windows and near the center of your house to decrease the signal strength outside of the intended coverage area.

Defend your computer
Keep all software current (including your Web browser) with automatic updates. Use firewall, antivirus, antispam, and antispyware software from a source that you trust and watch out for fake alerts for security software.

For more information, visit Microsoft’s websites:

Microsoft Security: 4 steps to protect your computer

Wireless security tips
Follow these tips to keep your data safe when using wireless networks:

• Change your encryption key once a month. If someone manages to learn your key, they will be locked out again when you change it.
• Don't connect to unprotected wireless networks—it's possible for someone to monitor your Internet usage and even record your passwords.
• If you do connect to an unprotected wireless network, don't visit a Web site that requires a password unless the Web site is encrypted. To find out if it's encrypted, look for a lock symbol in the lower-right corner of your browser.
• Set a long passphrase of at least 20 random characters. Better yet, use the full 63 characters by typing a sentence you can remember—just don't make it something that's easily guessed, like a line from a movie.
  

To learn the quickest and easiest way to protect your wireless network, visit Microsofts websites and read the article “Set up a wireless network” and follow the steps in the sections "Configure your wireless router" and "Connect your computers and devices."

Source:

Microsoft Online Safety
Microsoft Security