Are you insecure about wireless security?

I'd be concerned if I were a corporate user; but home users really have little to fear. While somebody can break into your wireless (Wi-Fi) network, the odds of break-in are low; and the damage is likely to be slim.

The most likely "theft" is if a stranger connects to the Internet through your network, thereby getting a free ride. Recently, I took my Pocket PC (personal digital assistant) to a park and started to surf the Net wirelessly. I didn't expect to be able to surf from such a small, out of the way place as this park -- but the owners of the house across the street had an unprotected wireless network, giving me clear, fast access.

Do you really care if somebody borrows your Wi-Fi network to browse? Probably not -- unless they clog up your network while you're using it. They would have to be using the connection at the same time as you; and be within half a football field from your home and wireless connection. If you're worried, call Tommy Maddox; have him stand on your lawn and throw a bomb. If somebody is between you and where the football lands and has a Wi-Fi enabled PDA or laptop, he might get access to your network.

In many neighborhoods, nearby homes and apartments are in that range. So users can actually benefit by opening the possibility for shared Internet connections over wireless networks -- saving everybody the expense of broadband fees and wiring.

Okay, so the odds are low that somebody will break into your home wireless network. Yet, it is pretty easy for somebody with a wireless-enabled PC to access your system if they are in Wi-Fi range. They need only use standard Windows XP tools.

Some people set up their PCs to share folders and printers. Imagine how somebody might commandeer your printer. Suddenly your printer starts to print. Then you hear a knock on your door. Upon answering, some stranger at your door bullies his way past you to pick up the printed pages in your output tray. Get real! Don't worry about things that probably won't happen; but protect yourself from those that might.

If you don't enable password protection on your network, a stranger can gain access to your shared folders. But if you require a login to use your network or to access those specific folders, the threat goes away.

You can protect your network and the data on it in several ways.

Start by turning on security on your Wi-Fi access point -- the device that acts as a central transmitter. If it doesn't have a built-in firewall, buy firewall software; or at least turn on the firewall in Windows XP. Your firewall will block outsiders from accessing your systems and files.

When you're sitting in your local coffee shop, the threats get bigger because you have no control over who is on that network with you. So that guy three tables down may be hacking your laptop or PDA.

Security agencies recently found a nonfixable problem that makes current Wi-Fi hardware prone to denial of service attacks, which can cause traffic jams that render your network unusable. This threat will be fixed in new generation products.

There are bigger threats that include password stealing and monitoring your instant messenger transmissions. But they can be protected if you use the standard safeguards in your wireless network and PC -- and, of course, common sense.