Our Wi-Fi is what gets us into a whole new world of countless possibilities. There is no denying the fact that just like Wi-Fi is accessible to you, it is also accessible to everyone else. From there arises the need of securing it and staying out of trouble. This means that it is very important to protect your network so that it is not intruded upon by anyone.
It all begins with choosing a smart and secure connection that can be trusted for offering maximum cybersecurity. Apart from this, we can take some additional steps to ascertain better security for our home Wi-Fi network.
After all, there should be no compromises on our end regarding the safety of the home network. So, without further ado, let us get started with the best tips to ensure maximum protection of a home Wi-Fi network. Here we go!
1. Update all Your Internet Enabled devices
You must ensure that all your devices are updated with the latest operating web browsers and security fixes. Our mobiles are often the most frequently used devices for Wi-Fi access. Therefore, make sure to install reliable antivirus or anti-malware software on your smartphones. The same goes for your PC and other internet-enabled devices.
2. Check Your Wi-Fi Router
The central hub of your entire home network is the Wi-Fi router. Therefore, be particular about changing the password periodically. It is important to come up with complicated passwords that are based on combinations of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. You must store your passwords somewhere safe, so you don’t forget them. It is a good practice to change passwords after ten to fifteen days to prevent intruders from snooping on your Wi-Fi.
3. Encryption
It is recommended to set your Wi-Fi security to WPA2 or WPA standards since they prove to be a lot more secure as compared to WEP. Encrypting your Wi-Fi traffic will help you stay safe from hackers sniffing for a loophole to intrude on your network.
4. Make Use of Firewall
It is important to make use of a firewall for thorough controlling and monitoring of the web traffic on your network. A firewall acts as a barrier and keeps away trouble. Make sure that the firewall setting is turned on. For that, you will be required to browse through the console settings. Most of the modern routers come with a built-in firewall. Just enable it to stay safe from cybercriminals.
5. Switch Off the Router
Though it may sound simple, it is extremely effective. Whenever you are not using the router, you should switch it off. We often leave big downloads to be done overnight or even if we are not using the Wi-Fi, the router is always on. For better security, it is good to turn off your electronics, including your router when not in use. The reason is clear: the lesser time the router stays active, the fewer chances of a hacker attack. So, when not in use, why take any risk
6. Use VPN
Virtual Private Networks or VPNs are used to improve the security of your internet. They can be useful for securing your router from any unnecessary intrusions. A VPN helps protect the devices from external attacks by encrypting all the traffic coming from and going towards your router.
7. Place Your Router Optimally
Pay attention to where you place your router. This also affects your Wi-Fi security. You can place the Wi-Fi router closer to the center of your house to provide good internet access to all the rooms. If you place the router too much outside the house, it might become more accessible to intruders.
For instance, you should avoid placing your router near the window since it might not help much with the signal strength inside the house and would actually result in signals going out and being in reach of any sniffers.
8. Change Your IP Address
Replacing your default IP address with a new one may benefit in securing your home network. You can do this by accessing the router’s console and following some simple steps.
9. Disable Remote Access
You should turn off remote access so that any hacker is not able to reach your router’s privacy settings. You can access the web interface and look for the Remote Access option.
The Bottom Line
Providing maximum security to a home network should be the top priority to keep your data safe from malicious attacks. The aforementioned ways can help a great deal for even a non-tech savvy person to follow and protect a wireless network prone to any kind of exploitation.
Keep a close watch for any suspicious activity and follow the above-mentioned safety procedures to stay safe from cyber criminals sniffing a weaker network to hijack it and steal any personal information.
