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Wireless Internet & Networking
With the world as we know it moving towards wireless connectivity,
it is important to know how to keep your wireless connections secure
from intrusion. Here on campus, anyone who connects wirelessly to
the network connects via the
WEP encryption protocol.
This page is dedicated to teaching the average user how to tell the
status of their wireless connection security level, and how to
change it for the better.
Encryption vs. no
encryption
In Windows, there are 3 basic levels of
encryption:
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None - an open door to your
network and the computers on it. Anyone can access your system
through their own wireless connections if they are within range. |
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WEP - This is what is used
on campus. It has its weaknesses, but is far better than no
encryption at all. |
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WPA - The best wireless
encryption/security available, but some computers/operating
systems can't handle it. |
How to tell if
your system has wireless encryption enabled
For a step-by-step set of directions on how to check what type
of wireless encryption you are using, please
click here.
By following these steps, you will, by default, be in the proper
place to change your encryption status. You must make sure that
all wireless devices you have are using the same protocol and
the same key. Otherwise, none of your devices will "talk" to
each other.
Setting up a
wireless network at home
If you wish to set up your Windows-based systems on a wireless
network, Microsoft has an excellent tutorial that will guide you
through the process in easy to follow, step-by-step instructions.
These can be found by
clicking here.
There are also links on the page to help you configure encryption
for you network while you are in the process of setting it up.
Wireless on
campus
The university provides wireless access to anyone who has an
account set up through CTIS. Because of this, certain wireless
devices, such as wireless routers, may interfere with the
signals from the university and compromise security.
Due to this, check with CTIS about what types of wireless
devices are permitted on campus before you bring them in and
hook them up.
If you would like to have a device (like a laptop) set up for
wireless here on campus, please
click here to learn what you need to do.
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