Bits'n'Bytes

As heard on CJCD

Episode 8

Good morning, and welcome to this week's installment of Bits 'n' Bytes - brought to you by Bowco Computer Services.

Not so long ago, I took a little drive around town in my truck, with my laptop sitting beside me. I just wanted to see if what a buddy of mine told me about Ottawa was true, up here. He claims he can drive from his house in the east end of Ottawa, all the way to the west end of the city - now that's a 40 minute drive - and surf the internet the whole way. That would mean that there are enough unencrypted wireless networks along highway 417 that he could download about 60 songs every day on his way into work.

Well, I can't say we're as bad as Ottawa, but that's only because we have fewer people and fewer wireless networks to choose from. Although I didn't surf on anyone's wireless, I counted dozens of open networks. An open network is one that anyone with a laptop and a mind to can surf on for free.

I've heard horror stories from people with open wireless networks. Internet bills in the mid hundreds. People losing control of their own wireless routers 'cause someone driving by changed the default password!

Protect yourself from this type of theft by encrypting your wireless network! The minimum level of encryption is called WEP, which stands for Wired Equivalent Protocol or Wired Equivalent Privacy, depending on who you're talking to. It was first brought out in 1999. Being a little older, in computer terms - you guessed it - it can be hacked. A good hacker can break the encryption in less than 24 hours. So, why use it? 'Cause if you're neighbour isn't using anything, who's connection is the hacker gonna use? Also, he has to be in range to crack the encryption, and you'd probably notice his car, with him in it, sitting out front of your house for 24 hours straight.

For even more security, you could move up to WPA - Wifi Protected Access, or even WPA2. If you need a hand setting up any of these solutions, call us - we'll be glad to help.

Stay tuned next week for tips on how to keep your wireless router secure.

I’m Computer Dave, thanks for your time.