Don't think that your home wireless network is confined within the walls of your house or apartment. Powerful wireless networks can extend over 100 yards from the router. Because home networks can be used right out of the box with very little to no security enabled, many users in Hawaii jump onto the Internet without setting up the necessary precautions. Wireless networks in Hawaii without any security are open to users who can:

» Slow down your Internet performance;
» Perform illegal activities;
» Infect your computer with harmful viruses;
» Monitor your Internet and e-mail use;
» View files on your network;
» Copy your user names and passwords.

However, all wireless equipment comes with security features that are easy to set up. Utilizing these features and the simple best practices below will help deter unauthorized use.

» Change the default SSID: The Service Set Identifier (SSID) is the name of your wireless local area network (WLAN). All wireless devices on a WLAN must utilize the same SSID in order to communicate with one another. By default, most manufacturers use a generic SSID for all of their routers. While using a generic SSID does not automatically open your network to attacks, it does put a spotlight on your network as having low security measures. Using the generic SSID is similar to using your last name as a password. It can easily be figured out and allows an attacker to find your wireless network quickly.

» Enable WPA/WEP encryption: All wireless equipment comes with some form of encryption. These encryptions also prevent unauthorized users from logging into your network without a key or password. WPA2 currently is the strongest and most secure encryption available and should be used, if available. Since it is also the newest encryption, many wireless devices are not WPA2 capable. Nevertheless, any type of encryption will help deter unauthorized use.

» Install and enable firewalls: A firewall is a device or software that polices the traffic going in and out of your network. If your wireless router does not have a firewall, be sure to enable the Windows firewall or install a third-party firewall.

» Do not auto-connect to open networks: If you do not have your own wireless connection at home, be wary of which neighboring networks you log on to. Any information you send through open networks is not encrypted and can be recorded. Most computers have an option of auto-connecting to open networks. Make sure this feature is disabled to avoid connecting to a network that you don't know or trust. If you are surfing the Web on an unsecured network, do not visit a Web site that requires a password unless the Web site is encrypted (signified by a lock symbol either in the bottom right corner or next to the address bar of your browser).

While technology has made it convenient to access the Internet virtually anywhere, taking these steps will help ensure the privacy and safety of your personal information.

John Russell is a senior manager in the Honolulu office of Grant Thornton LLP. He can be reached at John.Russell@gt.com