Just in time for National Cyber Security Awareness Month, scientists in Japan have announced a new breakthrough that they think could help improve the security of your wireless network—anti-wi-fi paint. A quick coat of this aluminum and iron oxide infused paint and the signal from your wi-fi won't be able to pass through the walls and leave the house. You'll still be able to connect to the internet, but outsiders won't be able to piggyback on your wi-fi signal anymore. The paint isn't perfect yet, though. The same technology could be used to prevent your cell phone from receiving calls, so there are a few bugs that need to be worked out before it's ready for home application.

In the meantime here are some tips for staying safe online from the National Cyber Security Alliance:

• Be sure your operating system and Web browser are set to automatically update.
• Use long, complex passwords for both your computer and your wireless network that include numbers, symbols and letters, and change them every 90 days.
• Maintain vigilance online and be skeptical about giving up personal information.
• Turn off your computer when you are not using it.
• Employ the same online safety behaviors when "surfing" on a mobile device.
• Be on the lookout for signs of an infected computer including slower processing times, unwanted pop-up ads and increased spam.
• Regularly back up your files either online or to an external hard drive (and store in a secure location).
• Use a suite of automatically updating security tools that includes anti-Spyware, firewall and anti-virus software.

And some tips for keeping children safe online:

• Solutions for keeping kids cyber-safe
• How much do you know about internet safety?

photo: tetra Images/getty images