Jacks Tech Corner

If you are using a DSL or Cable Internet connection then you need to read this! Hacker love to scan what is known as IP addresses, this is like a phone number for your computer on the Internet. Once the hacker finds your IP with open ports to your computer they attempt to gain access.

To prevent this from happening, your best defense is to install a ROUTER. These little devices can be found for about $50.00 and provide a great base line defense for your computer.

Once you have it installed, the hacker will only see your ROUTER on the Internet and not be able to gain access to your computer.

If you have any questions on this topic, please sign up on this forum and place questions as posts.

Does the user have to enable some sort of encryption in order to really be secure? I always thought that an unsecured router was just an extra 'step' for the hacker. Am I off?

You are correct there are a few more steps that you must perform to make your router secure. You need to turn on WEP to control access. Please see this weeks column for a step by step guide to setting up your new router.

Thanks great question and I'm happy to get the feedback.

How do you know if your router is secure? Ours was set up by the phone company when we got DSL. Is there a way that I can check the security? Thanks.
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K Kreations:

If you received the router from Verizon then yes the WEP is turned on. Here is the only issue with that.

I also received my router from Verizon and it is great that the WEP in enabled to help people who do not understand this.

The draw back is that the set all the routers to the same default user name and password.

So you are save, but I would change the password then write it down in the little book that came with the router. In the front you will see where you can keep this information.

Jack