Wireless Security Software

With all the talk these days of hackers and crackers at every coffee house and airport hotspot in town, all trying to get sensitive information from your laptop, wireless security is clearly an important issue. But, deciding which wireless security software to use can be confusing. Just what the heck is Wireless Security Software anyway?

There are several types of wireless security software available, form simple applications that offer either a firewall, anti-virus or anti-malware solution, to full blown internet security suites.

All-in-one security suites seem to be the most commonly purchased type of wireless security software these days, and suites like BitDefender Internet Security 2009, Norton Internet Security 2009 (Windows), TrustPort PC Security 2009 offer a fully featured package which has been designed to lockdown your PC to all internet threats, wireless or otherwise. These suites offer full protection from intrusion, whether you are connected to a Wi-Fi network or not, and commonly they will include features such as comprehensive proactive virus protection with downloadable updates almost daily, complete protection from spyware, email spam blocker, and protection from phishing emails. Some also offer protection for parents that allow them to prevent their children from going to inappropriate websites.

Then there are the speciality wireless security software packages that target a specific security problem and try and address those one or two issues that are of great concern these days.  For example, AirStop Sticky Wireless Edition just focuses on protecting the communications adapters and storage devices on your laptop computer.   And then there are products like ZoneAlarm Wireless, which identifies if a new wireless network is safe and can automatically recognize wireless networks once you've connected, as well as help you configure levels of Wi-Fi security beforehand.  In addition, there are small packages like Privacy Winner 4.3, which for a Wi-Fi laptop user will erase all traces of online Wi-Fi activities while at the same time recovering valuable hard drive space and speeding up your system.

So which type of Wireless Security Software is best for you? Well, if you have just bought a new laptop then you must have something to protect yourself when you are using a Wi-Fi in your local town or anywhere else for that matter. Most of the new anti-virus and anti-malware offerings from trusted names such as Norton, Mcafee, and Kaspersky all have a wireless security software option built in, and are usually identified by the monikers 'Internet Security' or 'Wireless Edition'.  Look for those titles when shopping.  Or if you would rather try before you buy and compare different wireless security software options, trial versions are often available to test and see what solution is best for you.

One last tip that may help you sleep better at night in regards to wireless security software: your operating system has some built in protections - and you should read up on what those are and how to use them.  There may be some security clamp-downs that you can do without going shopping at all.