How do I prevent someone from tapping in on my wired/wireless broadband network?

I know it's not a hosting/website type question..but I was just curious...if anyone knew how to prevent people from using my internet access or do other things with my network/computer.

Thanks,

Dan

Couple of tips:

1. Don't broadcast your SSID
2. Turn on WEP (Wireless-Encryption-Protocol)
3. Use a decent password for your network.

In internet communications you should always assume that all traffic is monitored or can be intercepted. Therefore, any critical content you do not want revealed should be encrypted. Avoid the use of FTP and use SSH/SFTP or an FTP over SSL. For web forms where you 'login' they should always be SSL because with every page load the username/password is sent.

As for how to secure your connection, I'm going to assume you are speaking about your router/cable modem which possibly connects to a wireless hub/switch. If you're running wireless on your LAN with nothing between it and your LAN (ie firewall+VPN) then you're essentially exposed if someone gains access to your wireless access point. WEP and most 'security' features on these access points can be circumvented rather easily so the only REAL way to be safe is to assume they can be accessed and use a VPN to access your network thru them.

To secure your border to your cable provider you should consider placing a firewall between the cable modem and your local network, something such as:

http://m0n0.ch/wall/

Any adive on good security practice in web site structure and design ?

WOW ceplar!!! nice find on m0n0wall!!! I really like that... I think im gonna fool around that at home a bit... even though I have a router in place, that could be quite nifty. Imagine using that in a shuttle type case... suh-WEET!!!

Ok - M0n0wall is really really sweet - and really really affordable even if you elect to build an embedded PC version - which now I am thinking of doing...I'm such a geek...

I mean - <$200 for a firewall appliance is pretty sweet...

Interesting- what hardware are you thinking of using?

The Soekris net4501 - if you buy it direct from Soekris it's like $177 and then the $12 power supply. That will get you the appliance frame - then you'll ahve to get something to write to the CF - that's another $50 or so...so perhaps it's a little bit more than $200...but it's better than $599-$695 which is about the cheapest firewall appliance I've found.