Wireless Network Encryption

Network Encryption

The most popular method for securing a wireless network is to implement encryption, which protects the real-time traffic of the network while also preventing unauthorized access to the data residing on the network's computers and servers.  Several types of wireless network encryption are available, with the most frequently used methods being Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and two versions of Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2).  Of these methods, WEP is the oldest and least secure, and almost all wireless experts advise utilizing WPA or WPA 2 instead unless your router or specific network resources lack support for either of the newer encryption standards.

It's relatively quick and simple to add encryption to your network through your router's admin interface, but the process differs from router to router, so you'll want to consult your router's documentation or do a quick Web search for instructions specific to your router.  Once you've enabled encryption on your router and created an encryption key, you'll need to provide each computer or resource that will be connecting wirelessly to the network with the key.