Router Security

You may be wondering why having a router is a good idea? It's because it removes a bunch of software from your computer, all that dialling rubbish, and protects your PC from many threats on the Internet. Plus a family can use several computers at the same time (We currently have six all with full time internet access). However this doesn't apply if you use AOL where everything possible is done to complicate Internet access.

Look at it this way: If your computer is setup well it is like a having a strong door with a good lock. Having a router is like the steel grille which protects the door.

Basic Settings

The firewall should be turned on and remote administration should be disabled as a minimum. These should be the default settings.

Wireless Security

If you have a wireless router, then encryption must be enabled on the wireless. WEP is better than nothing, but really WPA or WPA2 is what you should use. Routers provided by BT and some others only have WEP and often use a fixed key which is printed on the bottom. This is not good enough, particularly if you are running a business. So called MAC Address Filtering can add an extra level of security for very little effort.

Router Password

Most, if not all, routers have a username and password, or just a password to be able to change the settings. Hardly anyone changes these from the default values, but you should. Some spyware programs have the default usernames and passwords of many routers built in and can change the settings to redirect what you think is your bank to a look-alike site designed to harvest your details. This can cost you a significant amount of money.

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