At the outset I should state that I am writing this as a "knowledgeable" user and certainly not any kind of wireless network expert. In fact some might even say that I don't even know enough to be dangerous :).

With the proliferation of wireless networks for the home and the difficulties faced by the average person in securing the network (I get asked about this all of the time by my friends and neighbours), I think that it is about time that the manufacturers and retailers took more responsibility.

Even if the manufacturers put all of the necessary information in the manual (they don't always), that simply isn't enough. The average home user has neither the inclination to learn nor the faintest idea about the terminilogy or the process of securing their network, and why should they?

Understandibly, many home users will go to the big box stores, who advertize wireless network products heavily, and put faith in the retail clerk. Where else are they going to go? Not everybody is internet savvy or has a "friend" who knows (I was out just last evening helping a friend with this very problem). In my experience the average retail clerk in these stores can be more dangerous than knowledgeable. It's getting better but still has a long way to go!

The manufacturers still appear to be geared to the "knowledgeable" user. Even now far too many small businesses lack the basic know how to protect themselves or even realize that it is necessary.

What prevents the manufacturers from automating the basics of security for the avarage person/small business via a wizard or some sort of easily used software with an explanation of each step and why it is necessary? Joe Public wants, no must have, and should have, "secure plug and go" with absolutely minimum hassle.

If people's security fears are holding them back from wireless purchase (I know several who are) then the manufacturers are only hurting themselves by not alleviating those fears. Perhaps they figure that they are selling lots of product anyway and the "fine print" absolves them from any possible liability due to data loss or identity theft. I certainly hope that they are not taking such a short sighted view!

At the bare minimum they can try and get some form of encryption in place, such as WPA. Additional measures such as disabling SSID broadcast and MAC filtering might be a little trickier, but who knows. The manufacturers certainly know far more about wireless technology, and the inner workings of routers and network adapters than I do, or ever will!

I have had a wireless network at home for about 2.5 years now and have upgraded the speed and security as the technology has changed. Maybe I have just been lucky, or maybe I am fortunate to have enough knowledge to take the right basic precautions, but so far I don't believe that I have been compromised. However, that does raise the obvious question of "how do you know for sure?". Well, truthfully, I don't other than my bank account is still in tact, my visa bill has no mysterious entries and nobody appears to be going around impersonating me (as if they could :))!

Again, this may be back in the hands of the manufacturers to find a way to give that surety if they want to go on selling more product; there are many more "uneducated" potential home users than business users.

Wireless network technology is going through the classical growing pains of "speciality" to "commodity", which it will no doubt eventually become! Let's hope that the ease of use of the consumer product catches up with sales growth soon.

Graham Jones

President, VANTUG