The ever changing communication systems have brought along a lot of ease, comfort, and flexibility in our life. No matter where we are in the world, a click is all it takes to connect to the rest of the world. Ideas and technology are the two things that have made it all possible. At the center of this communication, the technology revolution is the internet. The flexibility and mobility were further aided by the Wi-Fi technology.
Wi-Fi gives you freedom. You can stand in your garage, kitchen or the common living space and still be connected to the internet. This does not require round, long and stretched cables. It is all in the air and you, along with your family and friends within the coverage area can connect to it. All is good until you get to know that this wireless connectivity can attract unwanted attention and can become a source of security breach.
Although internet offers a lot of benefits, it can be equally dangerous as well. Here are some safe options for you to purchase a secure connection: Local Cable Deals. To further enhance your network’s security, we have lined up a few simple yet effective techniques to ensure that your home Wi-Fi is safe and your cyber-security is intact!
It starts with the name
It all begins with your Wi-Fi visibility which is the name of your device. Attackers know the default device names set by the manufacturers. Similarly, your ISP has also set some default names which are not very difficult to trace. It all points out to the fact that millions of devices are named the same and are visible. Cracking one would mean knowing the basic formula to crack the others. You can avoid a lot of trouble and ensure better security by simply changing name of your device or SSID.
Changing the device name hides you in plain sight. The attackers will have to be very specific to set your network as their target. This turns the odds in your favor and you can sit back feeling a lot safer.
Admin user and password
The previous section along with this one follows the same logic. ISPs and device manufacturers set default username names and passwords of your network. Guess what they are?
Username: Admin
Password: Admin
Attackers are professionals in their field and these credentials aren’t really a secret. You will need to change them immediately to deny intruders any chances of getting into your network. The change in admin username and password cannot be a character different from the default. Attackers have software that runs thousands of password combinations in a matter of seconds and one change in character gives you mere seconds more of protection.
Admin username and passwords need to be difficult and something hard to guess. The username needs to be hard and the password has to be complex. This two-fold strategy doubles your protection and enhances your security and privacy.
WhatsApp styled Encryption
WhatsApp uses an encryption system that protects your data while it travels from the sender to recipient. This encryption takes aid from languages that help secure your privacy. There are multiple encryption languages and as we all know, each comes with its advantages.
Of all the available encryption languages, “WPA 2 Personal” is best suited for home networks. This coupled with encryption algorithm AES ensures that you are miles away from network interruption or breaches.
Complex Passwords
All of us have passwords protection set up on our Wi-Fi. Password protection helps keep unwanted intruders away from your network which secures you and ensures you get the optimum speeds. A long and complex password is hard to guess and harder to crack. A passphrase as long as 15 characters is a strong one. We recommend using a combination of upper case, lower case, and special characters if you wish to shorten the passphrase.
Mix it up
While we are talking of passwords, here’s another tip. Mix them up! Most businesses encourage their employees to change passphrases of their devices every 60 days. This helps them secure all the precious data stored on their laptops, hard drives, servers, etc. When you implement the same on your Wi-Fi network, you are smart, wise and many times safer than you were before.
Let the fire be your line of defense
Not all ISPs offer routers with a built-in firewall. If you happen to find one, make sure you enable it and let it protect you. These firewalls keep a close eye on the data traveling to and from your router. They are designed to block any attempts to send data towards your network via ports that aren’t active at the time.
Enabling a firewall protects attackers from entering your network unnoticed. Once they manage to get in your network, any protective layers will fail. It is easier to cause damage from inside than outside.
On-site management only
Routers offer remote management features. Meaning? Your router and its settings can be looked into without entering it. To make it simpler, someone can access your router setting without even being connected to your Wi-Fi. This often helps when restoring settings from the back end without getting on-site help. While this may be a key ingredient in getting instant support on rare occasions, it also poses a constant threat. You never know who may access and change settings just to get through your network.
Conclusion
These were some of the many ways to protect your home network or Wi-Fi. We compiled this list to ensure that most things are simple and offer uncomplicated solutions. Above mentioned tips are not only easy but they will also not require professional help. All you will need to know is some passwords and a little effort.
Most of these tips to secure your Wi-Fi are setting for the router that you use. Gain access to the settings and follow simple instructions. All it will take is a few minutes and you will have peace of mind with a secure network. Practices like managing passwords is a standard procedure that you perform with your mobile phones, laptops, etc. Why not another device to ensure the safety of the entire family that is connected to your network. Stay safe and keep surfing!
