Arstechnica guide to securing your wireless network

Ars Technica's original Wireless Security Blackpaper was first published back in 2002, and in the intervening years, it has been a great reference for getting the technical lowdown on different wireless security protocols. As a sequel to the original blackpaper, we wanted to do something a little more basic and practical, because the number of devices with 802.11x support has greatly expanded since 2002. Wireless security is no longer the domain of geeks and system administrators, but is now an issue in the lives of everyday users, from the worker with a home office who wants to keep sensitive files secure to the homemaker who wants to avoid an RIAA lawsuit because the teen next door is a wireless-leeching P2P addict.

In this practical introduction to the basics of securing your home wireless network, we'll cover the important, high-level points that ordinary users need to know in order to secure a network of game consoles, phones, and PCs. Along the way, we'll also recap some of the relevant information from the original wireless blackpaper, which I recommend if you want to pursue the topic further. So look through the guide, and if you're already technically savvy then send it along to your uncle or your sister-in-law, and you may get one less phone call when it comes time for them to set up their new WLAN.