Most people may not even consider the security risks of a wireless network. However, just like you would protect your computer, you also need to protect your wireless network or you may have others in your network that you would rather have stay out. 

The first thing you should do is secure your wireless router or the access point administration interface. This is pretty easy to do. All you do is log into the device into the administration interface so you can modify the configuration settings. You will now be able to add your own unique password instead of the one from the manufacture, which may or may not be in place. As soon as you have your network in place, you should add or change the password. The only way then to enter the access point of your router is with this password. Keep your new password in a safe place. If you lose the password, you will have to reset the router back to the factory settings, thus erasing all of your configurations. 

One thing you may not realize is that the router will automatically broadcast your networks name continuously. This means anytime someone is searching for a wireless network in the area, your network will be broadcast. If you do not wish for everyone in the area to see your network you can turn off the SSID broadcast, which will make your network invisible. 

Instead of using the common Wired Equivalency Privacy encryptions known as WEP use Wi-Fi Protected Access or WPA. WPA is so much easier to use and provides much better protection as you are not limited to passwords such as 0 to 9 and A to F which is common with WEP. The WPA system is built into most of the modern wireless hardware and operating systems at this time. If you have an older one you can easily purchase the hardware. 

One thing to remember, not everything you own will be able to support WPA such as media players and PDA’s. In these cases or in the case your older computer is not adaptable with WPA, WEP will at least help secure your network to some degree. It may not be the best out there, but it is better that no encryption at all. Just choose a password that is not easily figured out such as 1234abcd.