Alexandra Ramirez
11 Ways to Secure Your Wi-Fi Network
How easy can it be trying to protect your wireless router from intruders, hackers and the likes? After setting up your Wi-Fi network, it is pretty easy to keep using it once you are connected to the grid but then how often do you want to keep renewing your subscription charges when it happens you don’t use up all yourself? Protect your wireless network from hackers and other freeloaders with these steps.
1. Change Your Router Admin Username and Password to a Strong One
Changing the default username and password to a different one will help secure your network. This new password should be at least 8 characters long. The default usernames are easily accessible by the public because it is set as a matter of public record for almost every router in existence. Without changing them, you’re making it pretty easy for someone who gets physical access to your router to tamper with the settings. Your new password ought to include uppercase and lowercase letters as well as numbers. You could also include other special characters.
2. Change your wireless Router’s SSID
The SSID short for (service set identifier) is a wireless network’s name. The SSID is what announces your Wi-Fi to the outside world so people can find the network. Using the generic SSID gives your Wi-Fi network away. Regular change of the SSID on your network means that even if someone had previous access, you can shut them off with regular changes of the network’s name. You can change your SSID to a unique name.
3. Make Sure Your Wireless Router’s Firewall Is Enabled
Every router has a firewall built in that should protect its internal network against intruders. You could activate it if it’s not automatic. Your IT service provider can help you determine whether your firewall is properly configured. Your router might name it SPI or NAT, whichever name, turn it on as an extra layer of protection. Installing a firewall software on your PC also helps to ensure your software does not send stuff out over the network without your permission.
4. Activate Encryption
Activating encryption is one of the most important things you must do to lock down your wireless network. Here’s how to: Go to your router’s settings and look for security options. Each router brand has different options for this but you could easily head to your router maker’s support site to get the security options. After that, turn on WPA2 Personal or WPA2-PSK. Set the encryption type to AES. Enter a password which is also known as a network key for the encrypted Wi-Fi. Note that this is a different password apart from the router.
5. Disable WPS
Wi-fi Protection setup or WPS is the function by which devices can be easily paired with the router even when encryption is turned because you push a button on the router and the other device. It is quite common for businesses to use consumer-grade wireless routers. These routers include WPS which provides a user-friendly front-end for encryption protocols. Hackers can exploit a vulnerability in WPS to gain access to wireless networks so unless your router is locked away tight, this is a potential opening to the network you may not have considered. If your wireless router supports WPS, disable it.
6. Use a VPN
A virtual private network connection makes a pass way between your device and the Internet through a third-party server. It helps hide your identity or make it look like you’re somewhere far away from another country. This prevents intruders from seeing your Internet traffic. Some VPN’S block ads.
7. Update your Wireless Router’s Firmware
Firmware is a software that gives your router its functionality. Firmware sometimes has bugs or security holes like every type of software. Keeping your wireless router’s firmware updated will fix vulnerabilities which make your router more secure.
8. Use MAC Address Filtering
Each device that is able to connect to a Wi-Fi network has a unique ID called a Media Access Control address. Configure your wireless router to check the MAC addresses of devices trying to connect to it. It will only allow connections from devices it recognizes.
9. Protect Devices That Access Your Wireless Network
Use anti-malware software on all computers that access your wireless network. Keep the computers’ operating systems and applications updated so that security vulnerabilities are checked.
10. Log Out of the Wireless Router’s User Interface
Wireless routers have browser-based user interface used to configure router settings. Leaving this interface open sets your router at risk. Always log out.
11. Keep the network name a secret
Friends won’t be able to get on the Wi-Fi making it harder for non-friends to get online. Check for “visibility status” on your routers settings and turn it off.
