Once you’ve gotten a broadband connection for your home, you will want to give access to all your computers and other devices. You do that by setting up a home network. Each device within this network will then be able to access the internet using a single broadband connection.
The traditional method of setting up a network is by using wires. This can be somewhat of a hassle and the preferred method is therefore to use a wireless connection. However, using a wireless connection creates a new problem.
Unless your wireless connection is secured, everyone within range can access your broadband connection. That means anyone, including your neighbors, can use the internet without paying, while you are stuck with the bill. This is something that needs to be dealt with.
Why Should You Restrict Access to Your Broadband Connection?
Some people do not care whether or not their broadband connection is secure and give anyone access. However, there are many reasons why that is not a wise thing to do. For example, someone with a laptop could access the internet from outside your home and then commit criminal acts.
The police will be able to trace this to your home using the IP address. Clearly, this is something you do not want to be involved in. To prevent this and other unpleasant situations from occurring, you need to restrict access to your broadband connection as soon as possible.
Restrict Access With a Password and SSID
A wireless network consists of a wireless router that allows multiple devices to share a single broadband connection. Each device must have a wireless adapter that is used to connect with the wireless router. Once connected, the device can use your broadband connection.
The most common way of restricting access to your wireless broadband connection is to use a password. You can configure your network in such a way that every device needs to enter a password in conjunction with the SSID to access the network.
Since strangers will not know this information, they will not be able to use your broadband connection. This method works and is sufficient in most cases, but there are additional ways to restrict access that you may also want to implement.
Restrict Access Using MAC Addresses
In order for a device to connect to a wireless router, it must have a wireless adapter. Every wireless adapter comes with a MAC address that is listed in the documentation. Most manufacturers will also list the MAC address on a label attached to the wireless adapter.
The MAC address is a string consisting of letters and numbers. No two MAC addresses are ever the same and every wireless adapter comes with its own unique MAC address. This can be used to secure your network from unauthorized access.
You can configure your network to give access to only a few MAC addresses. Simply enter the MAC address of every device you have and only those devices will be able to use your broadband connection. The MAC addresses of other people will be blocked from gaining access.
Restrict Access by Lowering Signal Strength
In order to access your network, a person has to be within range. The stronger the signal of your wireless router, the wider the range and the easier it becomes to gain access. This is another way to restrict people from accessing your broadband connection without permission.
By default, signal strength is at its maximum. However, wireless routers usually have the option of lowering the signal strength. You should set the signal at the lowest possible setting, while still allowing sufficient signal strength for your devices to access the network.
Your neighbors are usually further away from your wireless router and will be affected by the weaker signal. The only way for them to access your network is to physically move their home closer to you, which is not practical. As long as there is no signal, there can be no access to your network.
Access to Your Broadband Connection Can Be Restricted Easily
There is no need to allow outsiders access to your broadband connection without your permission. Keeping your broadband connection secure from unauthorized access can be done in multiple ways and by yourself.
For your own safety, restricting access to your broadband connection should be implemented as soon as possible. Failure to do so can result in nasty consequences that you may live to regret later on. Don’t allow that to happen.
Sam Jones the author suggests to readers looking for some great deals and information on a wireless router visit uSwitch.com .
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