Page 261 - DCAP104_EXPOSURE_TO_COMPUTER_DISCPLINES

Exposure to Computer Disciplines

Notes 14.1.1 Get Free Wireless Network Protection Software
Most home networks are vulnerable to passing “war drivers” who hack into unsuspecting
wireless networks. There are plenty of ways you can muck around with your router settings to
protect yourself.
But what if you don’t want to fiddle around with filtering MAC addresses, changing your SSID
(network name), and disabling SSID broadcast? You can get a free program that will do most of
that for you. Network Magic comes in two versions, a free version and a for-pay version, but if
all you want to do is configure your wireless network for maximum security, the free version
will work just fine.
Install it, and it examines your router and entire network, and builds a network map of all of your
connected devices. It examines your router’s security settings and issues a report on what it finds.
If, for example, it discovers that you’re broadcasting your SSID, it will alert you. A single click of
a check box and Network Magic will stop the broadcasting for you. The for-pay version includes
other features, such as configuring folder and printer sharing, but if you’re only interested in
security, you don’t really need it.

Note that there’s not much this program can do that you can’t do on your own, if you’re willing
to dig in and get your hands dirty. But if you’d like to keep them clean and still have a secure
wireless network, you can’t do any worse than free.
14.1.2 Use a Free Firewall

It’s this simple you need a firewall. It’s one of the best ways to protect yourself against Trojans,
to keep your PC from becoming a zombie that obeys the commands of a distant hacker, and to
stop attackers from worming their way into your PC. If you have Windows XP Service Pack 2,
you have a halfway useful firewall built in. (If you haven’t installed SP2, immediately upgrade
by going to Windows Update.) By default, when you install SP2, the firewall is turned on. But if
you suspect it’s accidentally been turned off, you can check by clicking the Security Center icon
in the system tray. The Security Center screen will pop up. (If the Security Center icon doesn’t
appear in your system tray or Taskbar, select Control Panel > Security Center.) Look at the top of
the screen to make sure the firewall is turned on. If it’s not, click the Windows Firewall icon at the
bottom of the screen, select On, and click OK. The firewall will now be turned on. But the firewall
built into XP only offers inbound protection -- in other words, it blocks unsolicited incoming
connections, but not outbound connections. Spyware and Trojans often “phone home,” making
outbound connections from your PC without your knowledge. If you want to block outbound
connections, you need a two-way firewall. The best free one you can find is ZoneAlarm from Zone
Labs. If you’re only looking for a two way firewall, there’s no need to buy one of ZoneAlarm’s
for-pay versions, which offer extra features such as virus protection. This is one area where users
of older versions of Windows don’t have much in the way of free options. ZoneAlarm no longer
supports Windows 98 and ME, so if you’re using one of those operating systems, you’ll need to
shell out for a commercial firewall such as Symantec’s Norton Personal Firewall or Trend Micro’s
PC-cillin Internet Security.
14.1.3 Encrypt Your Data

No matter how good you are at making sure no one else has access to your PC, someone might be
able to get in. It could be a hacker, or someone who is on the network you use. If you’re at work,
it might even be a coworker who sits down at your PC when you’re out of the office.
Encrypt data that you don’t want others to see. Most encryption programs cost money, and many
aren’t particularly easy to use. But Cryptainer LE from Cypherix is both free and simple to use.

254 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY