Wireless internet - security

[fairy!]

We have set up wireless broadband at home. We have set it so you need a passwork to access it, & that only our MAC addresses can access it... is this enough?? If not, what else can we do?

[Ethel]

Have you disabled the SSID broadcast?
Every little helps, as they say.

Try running the tests at this site, it doesn't take long. I do it once every couple of weeks or so.

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

I assume you have adequate firewall, antivirus and anti-spy protection.

[fairy!]

I just read about disabling the SSID broadcast... potential stupid question... but how would we connect to it if it's not broadcast for us to see & click on??

ps. The password thingy we set up is WPA-PSK.

[Ethel]

fairy!

To ensure that Windows will connect to an access point that's defined as a preferred network but has broadcasting turned off, open the Control Panel and choose Network Connections, then Wireless Network Connection, and then the Properties button. Next, choose the Wireless Networks tab and then the Advanced button. Make sure that the Automatically connect to nonpreferred networks check box is not checked. Now you should be able to connect without problems to an access point that's not broadcasting its SSID.

You will only need to do that once. In future the pc will automatically search for your preferred network and connect.

No one else will find it, unless they are able to guess your network name.

[Ethel]

I have just noticed my previous link does not work.

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?rh1dkyd2

If it still doesn't work, google for Shields UP!