All of us are aware of the fact that the Internet is now more like a basic necessity for existence in this century. Setting up a home Wi-Fi router was used to be a complicated task in the past. These days it is almost at everyone’s hand. As ISPs and router manufacturers installed some buttons and defaults that made connecting about as easy as possible. With all the devices connected to the Wi-Fi, we enjoy physical mobility that leads to enhanced productivity. It is not wrong to say that the Internet is for everyone and does not limit itself to any technical boundary. Unfortunately, when not safeguarded, the Internet can be a playground for unwanted activities caused by people with malicious intent. A small vulnerability in the home Wi-Fi network can give a criminal access to almost all of the family’s devices relay’s on that Wi-Fi.
The following steps can help secure your home Wi-Fi network

  1. Change the default username and password
    The foremost and most important thing you should do to secure your home Wi-Fi connection is to change the default username and password to something complicated that isn’t easy to guess.

Wi-Fi companies automatically assign a username and password to the network. It isn’t difficult for hackers to crack those default passwords. If they gain entry to your network, they can change your password to whatever they want and can hijack the network by locking the owner out.
However, changing that username and password makes it more difficult for attackers to identify whose Wi-Fi it is. Hackers have technical tools and software’s for testing multiple possible passwords and username combinations, so it’s necessary to choose a strong password.

  1. Hide your network from Broadcasting
    While setting up your home Wi-Fi network you will be asked to create a publicly visible network name, known as an SSID (Service Set identifier). Many devices are configured with a default network name that the manufacturer allocated to them.
    SSID hiding is a feature that will allow you to hide your network name from broadcasting on the list of people in the surrounding area. Also changing the default name makes it a lot more difficult for an attacker to know what type of router you own that eventually reduces the risk of getting attacked
  2. Enable your Wireless Network Encryption
    Encryption is one of the most efficient ways of securing your home data connection. Encryption scrambles your data or the contents of your message so that it cannot be decoded by hackers.
    The most guarded of encryption to be used for home Wi-Fi network is WPA2. If you own devices that are up to 10 years old, they may not be compatible with WPA2 for that you need to upgrade your home devices.
    For looking if your router is compatible with WPA2 encryption, check your network settings and check the wireless properties.
  3. Use VPNs to access your network
    A VPN (a virtual private network) is group networks that work together over the Internet. You can use VPNs as a method to guard and encrypt your communications. When you connect to a VPN server, a VPN client is launched on your system. When you log in with your credentials your system exchanges keys with another server.
    Once both computers verify each other as authentic, all your Internet communication is encrypted and secured from third party prying. Also, check what devices connect to your home Wi-Fi network and ensure they have reliable security software.
  4. Turn off your Wi-Fi router when not at home
    It may sound simple but it is one of the easiest methods to secure your home network from attackers is to turn your modem off when you’re not at home. Your home Wi-Fi network doesn’t necessarily need to be running 24/7. Turning off your home Wi-Fi when you’re away from your home reduces the risks of opportunistic hackers attempting to attack into your home network.
  5. Keep your router software updated
    Your Wi-Fi software should be up to date in order to protect the network security of your home. The router’s firmware like other software’s may contain vulnerabilities that hackers find easy to exploit. Many routers do not have the option of an auto-update so you are required to manually update the software to make sure that your home network is secured.
  6. Place the router in the center of your home
    One may not realize how the location of their router can have an impact on network security. If your router is placed near a door or window it increases the risks of your wi-fi connection being intercepted by someone with malicious intent. For improving the security of your home Wi-Fi network, it’s best to place your router as close to the centre of your home if possible.

We hope you have found this article useful. Please contact us today if you need assistance in improving the security of your home or small business Wi-Fi network.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.
You need to agree with the terms to proceed

Menu