2023-06-27 14:39:16
With Wi-Fi, we can easily connect laptops, smartphones, security devices and more to our home network. Hackers also know this, and if we are not careful, they can gain access to the home network and the data on the devices connected to it in seconds. With so much potentially accessible data—credit card numbers, bank records, logins, live camera footage, and other personal and private information—it simply cannot be emphasized enough that home internet networks do need to be protected from unauthorized intruders. Hackers can not only enter our private sphere, they can also slow down the network connection or surf to our account for free. Creating and maintaining a secure home Wi-Fi network is quite simple. Below are 10 tips to help keep intruders away. There is no complete security, but with these tricks you can at least make it harder for hackers. Put your router in a central location Strong network security starts with smart setup. If possible, place the router in the center of your home. Routers send signals in all directions, so placing the device in a central location helps keep the connection within the walls of your home. As a bonus, it will probably provide you with the best internet connection as well. If, for example, you have an Internet connection in an apartment where the neighbors are directly to the right and left of you, placing the router next to a common wall can send a strong signal to them, and the network is also available on the street. Choose a strong Wi-Fi password and change it often This should go without saying, but its importance cannot be stressed enough. To maintain a secure connection, it is essential to create a unique password for the Wi-Fi network. Avoid easy-to-guess passwords or phrases, such as someone’s name, birthday, phone number, or other common information. Although simple Wi-Fi passwords are easy to remember, they are not a challenge for others to guess. The password should be changed every six months. Changing the login information of the default router Similar to protecting the Wi-Fi network with a password, it is also necessary to prevent anyone from directly accessing the router’s settings. To do this, change the admin and password of the router. You can also log into your router’s settings by typing its IP address into the URL bar, but most routers and service providers have apps that allow you to access the same settings and information. The router login information is different from the Wi-Fi network name and password. Turn on the firewall and Wi-Fi encryption Most routers come with a firewall and Wi-Fi encryption to prevent unauthorized access and also to prevent anyone from accessing the data sent back and forth between the router and connected devices. Both are usually active by default, but it’s worth checking that they’re turned on. Creating a guest Wi-Fi network “Can I have your Wi-Fi password?” – this has undoubtedly been heard by every host. Before sharing access to your main home network, consider creating a separate guest network for visitors. I’m not saying that your guests are trying to do anything nefarious to you, but their devices or anything they download while connected to your network might be infected with malware or viruses that target your network without them knowing. A guest network is also ideal for IoT devices like Wi-Fi cameras, thermostats, and smart speakers—devices that don’t contain a lot of sensitive information and may be easier to hack than a computer or phone. Use a VPN There are many reasons to use a good VPN, and network security is one of them. A virtual private network hides your IP address and Wi-Fi activity, including browsing data. VPNs are probably more useful when connected to a public network, but they can still add a level of security and privacy to your home network. Some VPNs are better than others, but as with anything, you often get what you pay for. Free VPN services are also available, but if you pay a little more you can get a much better and more secure service. Keep your router and devices up-to-date Software updates always appear when you need the Internet most. While they can be annoying, they have a purpose, and that often includes security updates. When companies become aware of potential or discovered security vulnerabilities, they release updates and patches to minimize or eliminate the risk. These are worth downloading if you like them or not. Keeping your router and connected devices up-to-date with the latest updates will give you the best possible protection once morest known malware and hacking attempts. If possible, set your router to auto-update in the admin settings and regularly check that your router is up-to-date. Disable Remote Router Access Remote router access allows anyone not directly connected to your Wi-Fi network to access your router’s settings. Unless you need access to your router when you’re not home (for example, to check your child’s connected device or change its configuration), there’s no reason to enable remote access. You can disable remote access in the router’s administrator settings. Unlike other security measures, disabled remote router access is not necessarily the default. Check connected devices Frequently check the devices connected to your network and make sure you know what they are. If anything looks suspicious on it, uncheck it and change your Wi-Fi password. After changing the password, all previously connected devices must be reconnected, but any user or device that is not authorized to use the network will be kicked out. Some devices, especially IoT devices, can have weird default names made up of random numbers and letters that you don’t immediately recognize. If you see something like this when scanning for connected devices, disconnect them. Later, when you can’t start the robot vacuum cleaner from the phone, you’ll know that it was the one. Upgrade to a WPA3 router WPA3 is the latest security protocol for routers. All new routers should have WPA3, so if you’re buying a new router, you don’t have to worry. However, many people rent their router directly from the service provider, which does not necessarily include the most modern equipment. If your router was manufactured before 2018, you may have a WPA2 device that does not have the same security protocols as newer WPA3 devices. A quick lookup of your device’s model will tell you when it was released and what special features it has, such as whether it has WPA2 or WPA3. If you have a WPA2 router, call your service provider and ask for a new one.
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