Making your network secure
Although the 802.11b standard is extremely insecure, several practical issues ameliorate the security risk. For one, finding the security key provides access to the wireless network but does not guarantee access to private information. Disabling shared access to network computers offers additional security but will eliminate the benefit of sharing information over a network.
Several hardware and software innovations aimed at increasing remote network security are scheduled to be launched in the coming weeks.8 Until these products reach the mainstream, you can prevent unauthorized network access by:
- Choosing an access point that restricts media access control (MAC). The MAC address is the hardware address of a node in the network, such as a network adapter. By designating which MAC addresses have wireless access, unauthorized access is eliminated.
- Setting up the access point to stop broadcasting its Service Set Identifier (SSID). The SSID is part of the automated connection process that tells network adapters which 802.11b network it is joining. Only authorized users will know the SSID and security key, which are needed to establish a connection.
Internet communications that implement the secure socket layer (SSL) protocol will be encrypted, thus ensuring that the information is sent, unchanged, only to the intended server. Online shopping sites and banks use SSL technology to safeguard sensitive information.
Table
Current Wi-Fi standards
| Standard | Frequency | Theoretical transmission rate/typical rate (megabytes per second) | Range (meters/feet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 802.11b | 2.4 GHz | 11/4-6 | 30/1000 |
| 802.11a | 5 GHz | 54/20-25 | 25/75 |
| 802.11g (compatible with 802.11b) | 2.4 GHz | 54/6-24 | 30/1000 |
Related Resources
Wi-Fi Alliance: Wi-Fi Overview. Available at: http://www.weca.net/OpenSection/why_Wi-Fi.asp?TID=2. Accessed Nov. 18, 2003
If you have any questions about these products or comments about Psyber Psychiatry, click here to contact Dr. Luo or send an e-mail to Current.Psychiatry@dowdenhealth.com.
Disclosure
Dr. Luo reports no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed by Dr. Luo in this column are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Current Psychiatry.