Make sure your wifi is password protected!
Why should you password protect your wifi?
Your internet will be slower if other people are downloading large files or watching videos. Also, most internet providers have a maximum amount of data you are allowed to download each month. This is usually so high that you don't have to worry about it, but you might have problems if someone decides to download ten seasons of a TV show using your wifi. Which brings me to my next point.
If someone uses your wifi to do something illegal online, such as illegal downloads, child pornography, or threatening someone online like a politician, that can be traced back to you. There have been a few rare cases where the SWAT team has raided an innocent person's house because of this.
Any information sent and received from a web site that doesn't start with https can be seen by hackers that use your wifi. Also, if there is another vulnerability like the one mentioned my post about Apple's SSL vulnerability even information sent to https websites can be seen.
To password protect your wifi, you will need to log onto your wireless router and change some settings. Every router will be a little bit different, so if you have trouble with one of the steps, look up how to do it with your model of router.
1. First, you need to type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into your web browser. A box should pop up asking you for your user name and password. If this doesn't work, search for cmd or command prompt on your computer. After you have opened that, type ipconfig, press enter, and look for the line that says default gateway for the number you should typing into your browser.
2. For most routers the user name is admin and the password is admin, password or you just leave the password blank and click ok. If none of these work, look up what it is for your router.
3. Now you need to look for your wireless security settings. These are usually under something like wireless, security, or wireless security. If you can't find it, Google how to get to these settings with your model of router.
4. There are a few things you need to change. Select WPA2 (PSK or personal not enterprise). If your router doesn't have WPA2, select WPA. Don't select WEP because it is old and easily cracked. If your router allows you to choose between TKIP and AES, choose AES. Finally enter a password (could also be called a key or passphrase).
5. You should also enter a name (ssid) for your network. If you use the default name, hackers can figure out what router you are using and exploit any vulnerabilities that router has.
6. When your done with that click apply or save and your done!