Polka broadband ADSL security essentials

 

 

The nature of ADSL technology requires ADSL users to take additional security precautions. Follow these important guidelines to avoid a potential ADSL security breach:
  1. Enable ADSL Network Protection
  2. Change your default router username and password*
  3. Disable remote access to your router*
  4. Protect wireless access to your router*
  5. Use a personal firewall
  6. Use antivirus software
  7. Change your Internet password regularly
  8. Monitor your ADSL usage
  9. Update Windows regularly

 

* Applicable to ADSL routers only
 
1. Enable ADSL Network Protection
 
We offer basic protection thanks to your new ADSL "Protected Access" service, which will block hackers from accessing your ADSL line via the most vulnerable incoming channels. You can disable or enable this service at any time: simply visit your polka My Broadband page, sign in and look for the ADSL "Protected Access" section.
 
2. Change your router username and password*
 
The default setting for a router's username and password is usually "admin" or "administrator". To make your router more secure, change these default username and password to something only you will know. Please keep a record of your chosen username and password in a safe place.
 
3. Disable remote access to your router*
 
You should disable remote access (or Remote Administration) on your router. Some routers have remote access enabled by default. Consult the manual that came with your router for further information on how to do this.
 
4. Protect wireless access to your router*
 
Some ADSL routers can also function as wireless (Wi-Fi) access points. Anyone with Wi-Fi enabled hardware who comes within broadcast range of your wireless access point may be able to use your Internet connection without your knowledge.
 
To prevent this, most wireless routers will allow you to:
 
  • Disable broadcasting the name of the access point
  • Enabling WEP or even WPA encryption
  • Only allow access to computers with specific MAC (network card) addresses
  • Disable the wireless capability of the router completely
 
Instructions for setting any of the above restrictions will vary from one router to the next, and you should consult the manual that came with your router for further information.
 
5. Use a personal firewall
 
A firewall protects a computer from Internet intrusion attempts. Many routers have built-in firewalls, but if you access the Internet using a normal ADSL modem, you should consider installing a personal firewall. Either make sure that the Windows Firewall built into Windows XP is enabled (simply click Start / Settings / Control Panel / Windows Firewall and enable it), or consider a free firewall package.
 
6. Use antivirus software
 
Polka will protect you from viruses that are hidden inside emails sent to your polka mailbox, but malicious code can also be hidden inside web pages, software, instant messages, pictures, text files, hard drives, removable storage devices, etc. Purchasing a reputable, commercial antivirus package, preferably with anti-spyware and anti-trojan functionality built in, is highly recommended. Once you have installed antivirus software it is also essential to keep it up to date.
 
Finally, consider installing an anti-spyware package such as the free Microsoft Windows Defender.
 
7. Change your Internet password regularly
 
We recommend that you change your Internet password regularly, especially if you think someone may be trying to use your ADSL login details. To change your password online, visit your My Account page and click on "Password" in the left-hand column.
 
TIP: if you use an ADSL router to connect to the Internet, you now also need to save your new Internet password in your router-administration interface in order to re-connect.
 
8. Update Windows regularly
 
Microsoft often releases new security patches for Windows, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office products. If you use Windows XP, please enable your computer for automatic Microsoft updates as follows:
 
  1. Right-click on the "My Computer" icon
  2. Left-click on "Properties"
  3. Select the "Automatic Updates" tab
  4. Tick the "Automatic" tick-box
  5. Click the "Apply" button
  6. Click the "OK" button

 

9. Monitor your ADSL usage
 
You can visit your My Broadband page at any time to keep track of your ADSL usage.

 

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