If you have a wireless network at home or your office, you need to encrypt it. If you are not encrypting it, you are just crazy. You are paying a monthly bill for your Internet service, in some cases, this is very expensive. Why would you not encrypt your network to prevent strangers from using what you paid for? Encrypting your wireless network is easier than you think. You would be insane not to take advantage of it.

There are several different ways to encrypt a wireless network. This can be done through the administrative settings on your router. Once you navigate to that page, you can encrypt your network in a variety of ways. WPA and WEP are the two most common types of wireless encryption. WEP is how encryption started in the wireless world; however it is also the easiest form of encryption to be cracked. WPA is a more secure form of encryption, but it is not widely accepted for a variety of handheld devices. While most Windows XP-based computers will be able to use it, some printers, digital cameras or other handheld devices cannot connect to a WPA network.

In most cases, someone will not be able to crack your network. Only skilled hackers can do this, but if someone is determined, they might be able to get into your network. Once into your network, they can browse any files you have set up to share. If you have folders set up with personal information, this will be visible to anyone on your wireless network. This is why encrypting your network is vital to the privacy and security of any information you may be sharing on the network with those you trust.

Going with WPA is the best way to go if the computes and other devices on your network can use it. If you must go with WEP, do your best to come up with a random password that would not be easily guessable by anyone who might try to get onto your network. Without some sort of encryption on your network, you are vulnerable to all forms of attack or just risk your Internet connection being stolen while your hard earned money goes to paying a bill you are not the only one using.