The vast majority of wireless networks are now secured – a significant change from five years ago. However, some people still haven’t taken the ten minutes required to secure their network. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience to not have this security, there are many reasons why this security is important. Here are five of the most significant.
One: Your Bandwidth Use is Increased
It should be obvious that your total bandwidth use will go up with more users. As there is only a certain amount of total bandwidth that you’re alloted, it’s important to keep your bandwidth under control to maximize your speeds.
Two: Your Router Will Be Mad at You
There are multiple points at which your internet speed are limited. Beyond the bandwidth issues mentioned above, you should keep in mind that even the best wireless routers have limitations. If more people are accessing the router, it’s more likely to overload, slow down, require hard resets, and be generally problematic.
Three: Your Files May Be Vulnerable
A savvy hacker will be able to access other devices and computers on the network if you haven’t engaged in appropriate security. This means, among other things, that private documents, pictures, and files will be vulnerable.
Four: You Can Get Locked Out
If you don’t set a password for your network, anyone else can. It isn’t required that they plug into your router in order to access it as an administrator. If you haven’t gone through a setup, set an administrator username and password, and so forth, then anyone who taps into your network can go into your control panel and lock you out of your own web.
Five: You May Be Supporting Crime
If other people are accessing your wireless network, you have no control over what they’re doing. Every foul thing that can happen on the internet, ranging from harmless music pirating to child pornography to illegal gambling rings can be happening using your internet. In addition to being terrible in and of itself, there are legal liability issues that you will have to face if these activities are traced to your IP address.
