Wireless Router Placment and Security Basics

Let us back pedal a moment from my previous post. Here are a few questions that HAVE to be answered when setting up a Wireless Router.

Terms:

SSID: The wireless routers name that is broad casted for devices to pick-up.
Wireless Channel: The channel at which your router is sending out to devices for specific use.
QoS: Stands for Quality of Service, this utility can automatically prioritize streaming of videos, gaming and Viop (Voice over protocol or calls/videos over the Internet).
Ethernet Cord: The cable that is used to connect devices together at faster speeds then telephone lines.
Wi-Fi: Stands for Wireless Fidelity, this is how communications work between wireless devices.
Wireless B,G,N and N+: B & G are the 2.4Ghz band while N & N+ are on the 5Ghz band
Wireless Signal: Information transmitted through the air between one or more devices.
Broadband Modem: Device that sends and receive data through wire (coaxial cable).
Channel bonding: Wireless-N will use more then one channel to improve speeds.

Placement:

1. What is the optimal location for maximum signal?
1. A high placement is best to achieve best signal. If you have a bi-level home, then the top level is the best opportunity. Wireless routers works best with their signal on downwards angle, not to mention if the router has external antennas, then creating a "V" from them works best.
2. Please keep in mind, the wireless signal needs to move freely and without too many obstacles. For placement, try not to have mirrors, microwaves, very thick walls or other devices that may use the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz band. (IE: Older home phone with the 5.4Ghz, should be moved to another area of the home or upgraded to 6.0Ghz phone.)
2. Do I need have the Wireless router close to my broadband Modem?
1. No, You should have the distance of the 3'-6' of Ethernet cord between them. Some may believe this is a myth, others say it improves the Wireless routers performance and modems performance. For me, they are separated on either side on top of the hutch.

Security:

Interesting enough, but after some researching myself, it is apparent that hacking Wi-Fi is simple with little knowledge or just reading how some coding goes in a program. Let us examine some ways in defending ourselves. These are some basic ways to keep hackers at a distance and the neighbors from stealing your Wi-Fi. Please see the picture at the bottom of this post for visual aid.

Most of the wireless users now have Wireless-N routers (5Ghz band). While some of this will apply to them, their are still home users that only have Wireless-B & G (2.4Ghz band).

Let us now begin. Your SSID is short for the routers name that can be visible when scanning for Wi-Fi. Some users out there swear that turning off your SSID will stop threats of hacking. This "myth" is false. If anything, a hacker will see your hiding something and will take that as a challenge for them. SSID can be turned off, but has adverse affect to equipment connecting to it. Hackers will see this as a challenge, non the less through other programs, it will pick up on the signal.

The wireless channel can be left in auto mode however you should change this for best performance and security on the 2.4Ghz band (a,b & g). Most used channels are 1,6 & 11. So your best bet is to play around with the channels to find the best that is the furthest away from your neighbors. For example, some a Wi-Fi network is using channel 6, it will also partially use 4,5,7 & 8.  If you are an advance user, you can use a program to see what channels the other wi-fi networks are using.
For the wireless-N you should use channel 40 in order to have the best speed available by channel bonding. Channel bonding means the usage of other channels in order to achieve higher speeds.

Onto the security, while as WEP and WPA are the oldest security features, the newer router will have WPA2 (Pre-Shared Key). This is the newer version of WPA, and is the most effective. When changing over to WPA2, please make sure to use a long pass phrase using upper and lowercase letters, numbers & symbols. Write your new pass phrase down and keep it in a safe place that you will remember.

Now that the Wireless router is secure, your speeds higher and running smoother. Remember to view the pictures below for visual aid in accomplishing your secure network. The previous post will also help with keep your router running smoothly.

Live long & Prosper,

 

Byron

Figure 1



Figure 2

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Figure 4