How to Choose the Correct Wireless Security Mode

Due to the high sensitivity and value of the information that is currently online, it is extremely important that wireless security is taken seriously. One way to increase wireless security is to choose the correct wireless security mode for your router.

1. Use the instructions provided by the manual that came with your wireless router provider to view and change the wireless security settings for your wireless router. This is typically done by accessing the network security page for your router by using a computer that is connected to it.


2. Locate the menu that displays the different forms of wireless security modes available to you. You will see a series of options that look like "WPA2-AES". The series of letters and numbers before the hyphen will be rooted in WPA or WEP, which stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access and Wired Equivalent Privacy respectively. The letters following the hyphen stand for the mode or standard of encryption.


3. Select WPA2-AES as your new wireless security mode. WPA2-AES is currently the most secure of the available wireless security modes. This is mostly due to the fact that the Wi-Fi Protected Access system is considered to be more effective than the Wired Equivalent Privacy system. The AES encryption standard is also very highly regarded in terms of the current algorithms used in wireless security.


4. Choose the WPA mode if your wireless router does not offer WPA2-AES. This is common in older wireless routers, purchasing a new router is also an excellent option.