Do you often see pop up malware messages soon after you hit the download button on an important file? It is a sign that someone is trying to lure you into harmful content to steal your computer’s confidential data.
Well, you should also not forget that a hacker can even use your important files, images, login credentials and any sensitive information without your knowledge.
Now the question is how to prevent hackers to have access to your data? Apart from just creating strong passwords, there is more that goes into securing the home wifi connection.
Let’s learn about the other secure methods that adds convenience while using the home wifi computer network. This blog will also guide you through step-by-step process to better understand these methods practically.
Follow these steps to ensure no data breach and data loss while using home wifi connection.
Step-By-Step Guide To Enhance Home Wifi Network Security
Update your Firmware system:
Every router has an integrated firmware software that monitors the functioning of router. Apart from securing the router from hacker attacks, firmware updates can help you secure your hardware. These can be smartphones, cameras, laptop or any other hardware devices.
How to install firmware?
Check for router’s settings
OR,
Go to manufacturer’s website of a router and download the latest version of a firmware update.
Create a strong wifi password (Create, Update, Repeat!)
Creating a unique and strong wifi passwords is easy and secure than spending hours into finding the best security protection software. You should know that default wifi network name and passwords on a router are easy to predict, making them vulnerable for cybercrimes.
Even some passwords like birthdays, phone numbers, names, or well-known phrases are quite obvious, even for an amateur. For this reason, you should always use long phrases that contains letters, numbers, and special characters. Moreover, you should also update the password after every 6 months.
Visit The Best Internet Service Provider in Canada
Change Default SSID:
Most people use strong passwords but fail to change it periodically. Or, sometimes they forget to set the admin name and password of the router. This most often gives hackers a chance to gain access to the router’s settings.
For that matter, it is imperative to do the required changes beforehand by typing in IP address and set the changes for default network name. But always remember that the username and password you use to connect to your router should differ from your Wi-Fi network.
That is also because every router has a default SSID name that includes router’s brand or model number. Most often these numbers are an easy guess for hackers to steal your data.
Enable Wifi Network Encryption:
Wifi Network encryption encodes the data so that even if your data is stolen, no one can read it. One of the best encryption standards is WPA3 that also requires a pre-shared key or your wifi password. Apart from being robust, it improves the wifi security performance.
New routers embeds with WPA3, so if you’re purchasing a new one, you shouldn’t have any concerns. However, some individuals may have router dated before 2018, with an WPA2 or older standard protocols, that also lacks the advanced security protocols of newer WPA3 devices.
A quick search of your router’s model can provide information on its release date and specific features, including whether it supports WPA2 or WPA3. If you have a router with WPA2, consider contacting your home internet service provider to discuss the possibility of upgrading to a more current router.
Check How Brilliant Minds Have Best Internet Plans For You
Implement guest networks:
Rather than sharing your wireless credentials with everyone, it’s advisable to offer access through a guest WiFi network. This feature creates a different WiFi network to hide the shared resources and devices linked to your primary wireless network. You must also ensure to configure a separate SSID and WiFi password for your guests.
Firewall must be ON:
A strong hardware-based firewall is not just a feature but a necessity for wireless routers. If you have a good firewall, your WiFi network will be safe from unwanted traffic.
Remember to turn on your router filters as you would always see them showing“off” in default settings.
How to turn the firewall on?
- Use your IP address to enter your router’s settings and look for the firewall choice. This may be in your router’s detailed settings.
- Remember that if you use a router on your computer, the internet speed may slow down sometimes. In this case, you can briefly turn off the firewall while doing things that need a faster connection, but remember to turn it on when you’re done with your work.
display network names:
If you use a wireless router at home, you should turn off sharing your network name with everyone. People in the area will see a list of nearby Wi-Fi networks on their devices when they try to connect to any Wifi network.
To avoid your network name being shown, turn off “broadcasting”. This way, people won’t be able to see your Wi-Fi name and connect to it. While this feature is best for businesses, libraries, hotels, and restaurants that requires access to wireless internet for customers, a home wifi does not need it.
Stop using remote access:
Many routers allow remote access to help using WiFi networks away from home. As beneficial as it amy seem, it can add to a risk to get your data caught in the hands of cyberattcakers.
Disable remote access to prevent any such loss and you may never have to worry about the same in the future.
Keep router in the centre of the home:
With a strong WiFi signal, people who aren’t in your home could also connect to your wifi network on their device. To stop this from happening, you need to move your router to an area which shows “weak signal” when you step out of your house.
If the layout of your home doesn’t let you move your router to the middle of the room, at least move it away from the windows. This is because anyone can have strong wifi signals even across windows. Hence, anyone can connect to your network from outside your home.
Monitor and verify connected device:
Regularly monitor the connected devices to your network to detect any unknown devices. It’s essential to keep an eye on the list of devices so that you can immediately change wifi name and password as soon as you suspect any of them.
It’s important to note that certain devices, particularly obscure IoT ones, might have cryptic default names with random characters. If you encounter such devices while reviewing your connected devices, it’s advisable to disconnect them.
While it might be inconvenient for some time , this practice ensures the security of your network and prevents unexpected access.
Know More: Best Internet provider service in Toronto
Takeaway
It is therefore clear that home wifi security adds convenience to data theft, apart from allowing misuse of data. Having said that, remember that no method is a foolproof solution but an extra caution will change the landscape of cybersecurity.
Subscribe to Brilliant Minds today and experience the ultimate in home network security. With our reliable and secure services, you can enjoy peace of mind, knowing your WiFi system is well protected.