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Wireless routers make it easy for you to get on-line even when you're not connected to cords and wires.Yet, it also can make you a target of "identity thieves if you don't protect yourself.

"I could steal their Internet from them," says President of Executive Public Relations, Kevin Andrews.

Andrews says that people tend to get lazy when installing their router.

"A lot of people don't secure their networks, especially around department complexes, they just use the default and just assume they're okay with that," Andrews says.

Those few extra seconds you saved could allow easy access to your computer for someone else.

"The problem is people can go access their computer, log on to any computers that are logged onto there as well as download music, from Limewire or something like that and whose door do you think they'll be knocking on when you don't secure your network," adds Andrews.

Using the default codes like "password" and "administrator" make a hacker's job easier.

"If I just set the default, type in 'admin; and 'admin' again I could essentially get on just by typing it in. Even though its secure, I can still get on by typing 'admin'," explains Andrews.

He showed us how simple it is to find unsecured networks with just the click of your mouse.

"This happens all over. We're in a business district and we've got two that we just found today. From going over to apartment complexes, I'd say 90-percent of them are unsecured."

That means all of the important information you keep hidden on your laptop could be available for everyone to use.

"Its almost impossible to tell when somebody is logging on to your system, unless you're a computer specialist you're not going to know that somebody's logging on and downloading things using your connection," Andrews warns.

Andrews says when you install your router, make sure you change your password to something you'll remember.

He notes that the best passwords are a mixture of letters and numbers.

To find out how you secure your wireless router, please click here.

Source: wbko

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