Networking 101: Wireless Password Security

Some years back, routers would come from the factory without any security enabled by default. In too many cases, users would not figure out to enable this, and their router was open to anyone and everyone. Realize that not only is the internet connection open, but any and all devices connected to the network can be hacked in this situation. At this point, just about every wireless router comes out of the box with at least some level of security enabled out of the box. While this is an improvement over the prior state of no security, settings are often chosen to ensure compatibility, not to maximize the security, and require further adjustments. First attention should be on the SSID (Service Set Identifier) and the password. While some routers ship with a more unique password, often on a sticker on the router, there are other routers that have their SSID with the manufacturer’s name of the router, and the password as “admin” or “password.” These both should be replaced as the first order of business.