Security of your home Wi-Fi network is vital as it holds sensitive and private data that could be accessed by unauthorized users when left unprotected. Hackers may utilize the information they collect to steal private details or launch cyber attacks, harming the security and privacy of devices and our online activities.
The rapid advancement of technology has meant the home Wi-Fi network live in are packed with a variety of devices and gadgets that require internet access. It doesn’t matter if it’s a computer, fridge, tablet, phone, or even a baby monitor, our increased dependence on the Internet to access all of our devices has opened the doors to numerous risks and poses various security issues.
A lot of people are unaware of the security threats such devices could pose when they’re not properly secured by a secured Wi-Fi network. It is not a good idea to think about opening the door of our home unlocked, but leaving Wi-Fi networks unprotected exposes us to the exact security threats.
Hackers are always looking for opportunities and are prepared to exploit any security breach to launch an attack targeted at. If hackers are able to access your network at home, they could take your financial and personal data, infect your devices with malware and viruses commit cybercrime through your device, or initiate a Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attack.
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How to Keep Your Home Wi-Fi Network Safe
To secure your home and keep it secure from hackers, there are a variety of actions you can take:
1. Change the username and password that are used by default
The most essential thing you need to do to protect your Wi-Fi network at home is to change your standard username and password into one that is more secure.
WiFi providers assign automatically a username and password for the network, and hackers can quickly find the default passwords online. If they are able to gain access to the system, they are able to modify the password to any they wish, block the owner, and then take over the network.
The change of username and password can make it difficult for attackers to determine who’s Wi-Fi is and gain access to the networks. Hackers use sophisticated tools that examine thousands of possible username and password combinations therefore, it’s essential to choose an effective password that blends numerals, letters, and symbols to make it harder to break.
2. Activate encryption for wireless networks
The use of encryption is among the most effective methods to protect your network’s data. The encryption process involves creating a scrambled data structure or contents of a message to ensure that it can’t be read by hackers.
The most secure form of encryption that you can employ for your Wi-Fi home system is WPA2. If you are using old devices between to 10 years old they might not work with WPA2 which is why it’s essential to update your home devices for better security and performance.
To find out whether your router supports WPA2 encryption, go through the network settings and verify for wireless characteristics. This will let you choose the most secure encryption when joining the wireless network.
3. Employ a virtual private network or VPN
The VPN is a type of network that lets you communicate with an unsecured, non-encrypted network in a secure manner. A VPN protects your data in a way that hackers are unable to discern the web you’re using or where you are.
A VPN can also alter your IP address to make it appear that you’re using your computer from a place different from the address you use for your residence. Apart from the desktop, it could be utilized with a phone, laptop, or tablet.
4. Keep your network hidden from view
When you first set up the network for your home, you’ll be required to establish an online network name or SSID (Service Set identifier). The majority of devices are set up with the default name of the network which is assigned from the maker. It’s likely that if your neighbors have a device made by the same manufacturer, they’ll also share the identical SSID which can be a security risk in the event that both networks are not encrypted.
SSID concealment is an option that can allow users to hide their network’s name from the list of users who live in the vicinity. Changes to the default name make it much more difficult for hackers to determine what kind of router you’re running and reduce the likelihood of an attack.
5. Turn off your Wi-Fi Network if you’re away from home
It’s easy to understand, however, one of the simplest ways to secure your network at home from attacks is to disable it when you’re not home. The Wi-Fi at your home does not have to be operating 24/7 and seven days a week. Disabling your Wi-Fi whenever you’re away reduces the chance of hackers trying to gain access to your home network while you’re not.
6. Make sure your router software is current
Wi-Fi software needs to be upgraded to ensure the security of your network for your residence. The router’s firmware, just like other software may have vulnerabilities that hackers would love to attack. Most routers will not provide an automatic update, which means you’ll have to update your software manually to ensure that your home network is secured.
7. Employ firewalls
The majority of Wi-Fi routers have built-in firewalls for networks that protect broadband connections and also prevent attacks on your network by intruders. They also come with an option to disable it so make sure the firewall of your router is on to provide an additional layer of security to your security at home.
8. Set the router in the middle of your home
Many homeowners don’t realize that the position of their router could affect security. If your router is situated close to a window or door, it can increase the risk of your Wi-Fi signal being blocked by someone who has malicious intentions. To increase protection for your Wi-Fi at home It is recommended to position your router in the closest position to the center of your house as possible and lower the risk of hackers gaining access to guests’ networks.
9. Make MAC Address Filtering active
The majority of broadband routers have an unique identifier known as the physical address, also known as Media Access Control (MAC) address. This address is designed to enhance security by restricting the amount of devices that can connect with the network at home. Homeowners are able to enter the MAC address of every device at home, which limits the network to allow connections to these addresses. This is another level of security that helps protect against hackers.
10. Turn off Remote Administration
Another method hackers use to gain access to your home network is via the remote management feature of the router. Remote administration permits anyone within a reasonable distance of your home to access or modify your Wi-Fi configurations. If you don’t require to be able to connect remotely with your WiFi router, you should to disable this feature. This can be accomplished by going to the section for administration of Wi-Fi settings and then clicking the button to disable.
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