Step 1 – Use WPA or WPA2

WEP encryption is better than nothing, but it is easily breakable.  It can be done in a matter of minutes.  Setting up WPA or WPA2 will give you the stronger level of protection.  Do not use TKIP, as it has many flaws and can expose your data.  If your router has either an AES or CCMP setting, use it instead.

Step 2 – Choose a Long Password

It is generally accepted by those in the know that any WPA password under 20 characters long is easily breakable to someone who is determined.  The average password can be broken in a couple days.  Choose a password that uses numbers and letters and is over 20 characters long.  Don’t use words that are easily associated with you, such as your family’s names, your address, or sensitive information like birthdays or social security numbers.

Step 3 – Don’t Share WiFi

Sure, your neighbor seems like a nice guy.  But for all you know, he could use your password to listen in on your network and steal your credit card numbers, and start shipping things from the Home Shopping Network to your door while you’re at work, which he will conveniently “hold” for you.

If everyone followed these three easy steps, cases of drive-by identity theft would start dropping dramatically.

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