We use our computers for so much: communication, research, databases, editing, computing and even shopping and paying bills. But, what many people and businesses don't realize is that without a secure network, none of that private information is very, well, private.

In fact, Shawn Henry, one of the Federal Investigation Bureau's (FBI) leading cyber investigators, believes that hackers are getting even more talented and efficient, and companies and individuals continue to face increased financial and legal risks because they don't bother to ensure that their networks are private and well-protected.

According to Henry, in the course of many investigations into cybercrime over the past few years, the FBI has found numerous companies - ranging from startups to large corporations - whose confidential information had been infiltrated by hackers for months and even years.

"I don't see how we ever come out of this [security risk] without changes in technology or changes in behavior, because with the status quo, it's an unsustainable model," Henry told The Wall Street Journal. "Unsustainable in that you never get ahead, never become secure, never have a reasonable expectation of privacy or security."

The first defense against hackers and cybercrime is to have a wireless network that is protected with a difficult password that incorporates letters, numbers and punctuation, if possible. This password should also be changed every couple of weeks to ensure that only trusted individuals are using it.

In addition, a PC repair company can assist with virus removal and spyware prevention, but can also help with setting up a wireless network with heightened security, such as adjusting the network so that is confined to a smaller area, installing an "invisible network" or switching to Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) or WPA2 wireless security over the previous version, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP).