AOL Broadband Essential Services

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• FREE from wires »
• Internet connection anywhere in your home »
• How can I make my wireless network more secure? »
• Be super secure »
• What is WPA? »
• How is WPA different to WEP »
• Can I use WEP and WPA on the same network? »
• How do I create a secure Passphrase? »
• 5 top tips to help you create a secure Passphrase »
• 5 really important things to avoid »
• How far does my wireless network range? »
• How do I know if my wireless connection is effected by interference? »

Back to top »FREE from wires

Enjoy a wire-free connection and access the web from anywhere you like in your home. As long as you’re in range of your wireless router you could even surf the internet from your garden!

How? A wireless modem router communicates with the computers in your house and communicates via radio waves.

Back to top »Internet connection anywhere in your home

There are so many benefits to enjoy when you set up your Home Network. Follow the step-by-step guide in the booklet you received with your laptop and let the fun begin!

For everything you need to set up your home network, visit our store. Click here.

Back to top »How can I make my wireless network more secure?

There are 5 simple steps you can take:

1. ALWAYS switch on the security features on your modem router. Sometimes these are switched off.

2. Select a personal name for your network connection (sometimes referred to as a network name or SSID) when setting up your modem. This identifies your network as your own and makes it easier to recognise. Remember to make a note of your SSID or network name - it’s important you don’t lose it.

3. Set up a WPA encryption code on your modem router and on each of the wireless adapters you’re using to connect your computers to your network. This prevents unauthorised users from accessing your network.

   If you can’t access WPA encryption on your computer or any of your adapters, set up a WEP 128-bit encryption.

   To check that you have the above settings turned on, go to the AOL Easy Installer download page. Find your modem router and click the download the easy installer link. This will run the AOL easy installer. Select option two from the Go wireless on this computer link and follow the step-by-step on-screen instructions.

4. If you don’t want to connect multiple computers in your home without wires, but your modem router has wireless capabilities - ensure the wireless setting isit’s turned off.

   To turn off the wireless connection on your modem router, go to the AOL easy-installer download page. Find your modem router and click on Download easy installer. Now AOL Easy-Installer is running - select step 1: Set up modem router. You will be asked if you’d like to ’go wireless’. Say no.

5. Are you a parent? If you are, then this bit is important. Make sure you install and activate Internet Access Controls on all your home computers - this will put Parental Controls in place and your little ones will have restricted internet access.

Back to top »Be super secure

All computers on your Home Network should come with pre-installed, up-to-date, personal firewalls and anti-virus software.

For extra security, we recommend you download a Firewall.

Back to top »What is WPA?

WPA or Wi-Fi Protected Access is wireless security software which protects you and your computer network. It stops computer users in your area from connecting to your network and accessing any information about you.

Back to top »How is WPA different to WEP

WPE is an older technology that is less secure than WPA. WPA secures all information sent and received through your wireless connection. With extra features; it’s a more advanced form of security than the standard WEP.

Back to top »Can I use WEP and WPA on the same network?

No, only one wireless security system can be used on your network at a time.

When WPA is set up on your wireless modem router, all computers and devices must use it to connect to the internet. If any devices on your home computer network don’t support WPA, you won’t be able to connect to the web. If this happens, we recommend you use WEP as your wireless security method instead.

Back to top »How do I create a secure Passphrase?

A Passphrase is a WPA password. You can use it to secure your wireless network and stop people accessing your information without permission. The secret to a good Passphrase is one that is easy for you to remember, but really difficult for others to guess.

Back to top »5 top tips to help you create a secure Passphrase

1. Use anything from 8 letters, right up to 64. So you can use a phrase or joke - as long as you can remember it - use whatever you like!
2. Use numbers from 0-9 and any letters from A-Z.
3. Use a combination of upper and lower case letters. Passphrases are case sensitive, so using both upper and lower case makes it harder for people to guess.
4. Use a capital letter in the middle of your Passphrase
5. Try replacing a letter with a number

Back to top »5 really important things to avoid

1. Don’t use family names- they’re far too easy to guess
2. Don’t use pet names
3. Don’t use just numbers or just letters - mix it up a bit!
4. Don’t use birthdays
5. Don’t use a phrase that people can guess easily - like your address

Back to top »How far does my wireless network range?

Usually it’s about 30 metres, although there are factors which can affect this. They are:

• The distance between your wireless modem router (internet access point) and your computer.
• Obstacles including walls or floors
• Interference with appliances that use the same frequency as your router. E.g. a telephone or microwave.

Back to top »How do I know if my wireless connection is effected by interference?

The vast majority of wireless networks use 802.11b/g - this is similar to telephones and microwaves. Occasionally the signals between appliances ’collide’, this can slow the connection speed of your computer.

It’s easy to avoid this happening - simply keep your home appliances 5 or 6 metres from your computer and wireless base station.