[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Hello Everyone- I am new to this forum and brand new to wireless networking. I was hoping some of you kind souls could help me with some security questions. I have done all the usual stuff recommended in terms of securing my wireless home network....I.E....Turned off broadcasting and changed the name of my SSID, Enabled MAC Filtering, changed the default password, disabled remote access, enabled WAP encryption(WPA2 not offered through my service provider yet). I also have anti virus, anti spyware, and firewall protection installed and enabled. My questions are as follows:[/font]
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[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] 1.) In order for my wireless network to be hacked wirelessely(I.E....someone uses netstumbler or similar program that picks up unbroadcasted networks[I know netstumbler doesn't do that so well]to pick up network,crack encryption, gather packets, etc)....does the wardriver have to actually be able to pick up my wireless signal? I live in a fairly isolated area and I do not think my signal would be to strong, if picked up at all, off my property. I am going to go out with netstumbler on my laptop and my SSID on broadcast later and see if it picks it up off my property....but assuming it does not can the wireless network still be hacked without being able to pick up that signal. I know it can still be hacked in the traditional manner I.E....through e-mails, phishing, pharming etc....but my concern is the wireless hacking.[/font]
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[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] 2.) I also use a wireless keyboard and mouse. Does this increase my risk of hackers being able to pick up my keystrokes. Is there any software that is specifically designed to secure wireless keyboards and mice?[/font]
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[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] 3.) Any additional security recommendations on how to lock down my network? Obviously I am concerned about security....so much so that I have been using my old dial up account over my new wireless connection until I can get some of these questions answered by knowledgable people.[/font]
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[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Thanks in advance for your time and help. [/font]

Hello Johnny Computer Welcome to PCHF

For a person who is new to wireless networking, you sure have done your homework. Let's put it this way...if someone could hack into your network, they probably work for the secret service or something like that haha.

WEP encryption can be hacked fairly easily but in most cases is more than enough cause people don't usually have that much to hide. WPA encryption however would take a lifetime to hack if someone was using one computer. It could probably be hacked in a reasonable amount of time if 5000 computers were working in unison.

MAC address filtering makes it impossible for someone to actually connect to your network. And if you are concerned about personal information while roaming the internet, just be 100% sure that the only time you are giving out important personal information is when you are connected to a secure server (https:// servers).

You have virus/spyware/firewall protection, so you are pretty much as completely secure as a regular home user could be. For virus/spyware/firewall protection, you should be using top rated software like Trend Micro Antivirus/Internet Security or Kaspersky Antivirus/Internet Security and Webroot Spysweeper. Those would be my recommendations.

I would have to say you are pretty much secure.

Hope that helps!