Wi-Fi security should be an important part of your cybersecurity routine because it helps safeguard your personal information, maintain your privacy, and protect your network devices from threats.
According to ”nordvpn.com”, here are the main reasons why you should take special care of your Wi-Fi security:
– Privacy protection. Because a Wi-Fi network transmits data wirelessly, it is more vulnerable to cyber threats than a wired broadband internet connection. If you don’t take extra security measures, your personal data and network safety can be compromised by malicious individuals seeking your passwords, sensitive information, financial details, or business information.
– Data confidentiality. Advanced encryption protocols like WPA2 and WPA3 encrypt your data transmitted over the network, making it inaccessible to unauthorized users.
– Protection against cyberattacks. Unsecured Wi-Fi network vulnerabilities are prime targets for hackers. This may let them intercept other devices on the network or launch cyberattacks, like man-in-the-middle attacks, session hijacking, or injecting malware. Extra security measures may help you ensure that you will not become a victim.
– Liability concerns. If an unauthorized person who has intercepted your Wi-Fi network uses it for illegal activity, such as downloading copyrighted content or engaging in cybercrime, you could be held legally responsible. A secure network will prevent such risks.
The main security threats to your home Wi-Fi include:
– Unauthorized access. Weak Wi-Fi passwords can be cracked by hackers using specialized tools to gain access to your Wi-Fi network without authorization, opening the door to cyberattacks on network devices. Hackers are always on the lookout for poorly protected networks, using methods like wardriving to find potential targets.
– Eavesdropping. Bad actors can track your online activity and obtain your login credentials, personal information, or bank account information by intercepting your Wi-Fi network traffic. Hackers frequently employ methods like packet sniffing or other malicious equipment made for listening in on their targets.
– Man-in-the-middle attacks. In this kind of cyberattack, a hacker eavesdrops on network traffic between devices, potentially resulting in data theft, destruction, or alteration.
– Evil twin attack. Hackers create fake Wi-Fi access points that imitate legitimate networks and trick users into connecting. This way, attackers intercept network traffic and initiate cyberattacks on the network devices.
– Malware and viruses. Cybercriminals often use Wi-Fi networks as a gateway for malware and viruses. Once a device on a network is infected, it can spread to other devices and jeopardize other devices on a network.
– IoT device vulnerabilities. Home devices like smart TVs, thermostats, and CCTV cameras are connected to one network. If any of these devices gets compromised, the malware may spread to other devices and provide access to your sensitive data for unauthorized individuals.
– WPS vulnerabilities. Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) simplifies Wi-Fi connections. However, bad actors may attempt to exploit WPS vulnerabilities, and if they’re lucky, your network and its devices are under threat.
– Weak encryption. Using outdated encryption protocols, such as WEP, creates the perfect opportunity for hackers to decrypt network traffic and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
– Physical attacks. If a hacker manages to access your router physically, they may reset or configure it to gain control over the network and compromise its security.
– Social engineering. Attackers often use social engineering techniques to trick users into giving out personal information through phishing emails or phone calls.
– DoS attacks. Attackers may flood the Wi-Fi network with requests, causing it to be unavailable and disrupting network activity.
There’s no guarantee when it comes to home Wi-Fi security, but you can certainly make it harder for someone to gain access to your network, according ”cnet.com”.
You’ll get faster speeds using an Ethernet connection, but there’s no denying the convenience of Wi-Fi. The technology makes it possible to connect numerous devices around your home, from laptops and phones to security cameras and streaming sticks, but it’s not without its flaws. Aside from a little speed loss, the main concern with Wi-Fi is that it also makes it easier for others – perhaps unwanted users and devices – to connect to your network.
Consider the information on your Wi-Fi-connected devices and how accessible that information might be if someone gained access to your Wi-Fi network: credit card numbers, bank records, login credentials, live camera feeds.
A secure home network will help reduce the risk of getting hacked and having someone access your sensitive information.
Below, you’ll find 10 tips for securing your network.
Keep in mind that nothing can guarantee absolute security from hacking attempts, but these tips will make it harder for anyone to compromise your network and data.
How to secure your home Wi-Fi network
1. Place your router in a central location.
Strong network security starts with a smart setup. If possible, place your router at the center of your home. Routers send wireless signals in all directions, so strategically placing your router in a central location will help keep your connection to the confines of your home.
For example, if you have internet in an apartment where neighbors are immediately to the left and right of you, placing your router next to a shared wall could send a strong, and tempting, signal their way. Even if you aren’t in an apartment, a good router can cast signals next door or across the street. Placing your router in a central location will help reduce how far those signals travel outside your home.
2. Create a strong Wi-Fi password and change it often.
Creating a unique password for your Wi-Fi network is essential to maintaining a secure connection. Avoid easily guessed passwords or phrases, such as someone’s name, birthdays, phone numbers or other common information. While simple Wi-Fi passwords make them easy to remember, they also make it easy for others to figure them out.
Be sure to change your password every six months or so or whenever you think your network security may have been compromised.
3. Change the default router login credentials.
Along the same lines of password-protecting your Wi-Fi network, you’ll also want to keep anyone from being able to directly access your router settings.
To do so, go ahead and change your router’s admin name and password. You can log in to your router settings by typing its IP address into the URL bar, but most routers and providers have an app that lets you access the same settings and information.
Your router login credentials are separate from your Wi-Fi network name and password. If you aren’t sure what the default is, you should be able to find it on the bottom of the router.
Addtionally you should also change the the network name (SSID) and disable SSID broadcasting. Make your Wi-Fi network invisible by disabling its SSID. This will add an extra layer of security to your network.
4. Turn on firewall and Wi-Fi encryption.
Most routers have a firewall to prevent outside hacking and Wi-Fi encryption to keep anyone from eavesdropping on the data sent back and forth between your router and connected devices. Both are typically active by default, but you’ll want to check to ensure they’re on.
Now that you know how to log in to your router settings, check to make sure the firewall and Wi-Fi encryption are enabled. If they’re off for whatever reason, turn them on.
5. Create a guest network.
Before sharing access to your main home network, consider creating a separate guest network for visitors.
A guest network is also ideal for your IoT devices, such as Wi-Fi cameras, thermostats and smart speakers – devices that may not hold a lot of sensitive information and are perhaps more easily hackable than a smarter device such as a computer or phone.
6. Use a VPN.
There are a few reasons to use a good VPN, and network security is one of them. A virtual private network hides your IP address and Wi-Fi activity, including browsing data.
VPNs are probably more useful when connected to a public network, but they can still add a level of security and privacy to your home network. Some VPNs are better than others, but like anything, you often get what you pay for. Free VPN services are available.
7. Keep your router and devices up to date.
While software updates can be annoying, they have a purpose, and it often includes security updates. When companies become aware of potential or exposed security vulnerabilities, they release updates and patches to minimize or eliminate the risk. You want to download those.
Keeping your router and connected devices current with the latest updates will help ensure you have the best protection against known malware and hacking attempts. Set your router to automatically update in the admin settings, if possible, and periodically check to make sure your router is up to date.
8. Disable remote router access.
Remote router access allows anyone not directly connected to your Wi-Fi network to access the router settings. Unless you need to access your router while away from home (to check or change the configuration of a child’s connected device, for example), there should be no reason to have remote access enabled.
You can disable remote access under the router’s admin settings. Unlike other security measures, disabled remote router access may not be the default.
9. Verify connected devices.
Frequently inspect the devices connected to your network and verify that you know what they are. If anything on there looks suspicious, disconnect it and change your Wi-Fi password. After changing your password, you’ll have to reconnect all your previously connected devices, but any users or devices that are not authorized to use your network will get the boot.
Some devices, especially obscure IoT ones, may have odd default names of random numbers and letters you don’t immediately recognize. If you encounter something like that when auditing your connected devices, disconnect them. Later on, when you can’t start your robot vacuum cleaner from your phone, you’ll know that’s what it was.
10. Upgrade to a WPA3 router.
WPA3 is the latest security protocol for routers. All new routers should be equipped with WPA3, so if you buy a new router, you should have nothing to worry about.
If your router was made before 2018, you might have a WPA2 device, which lacks the same security protocols as newer WPA3 devices. A quick search of your device’s model should tell you when it came out and any specific features, such as whether it has WPA2 or WPA3.
Art. sources:
– Full art.: Wi-Fi Hacking Happens. Here Are 10 Expert-Recommended Tips to Prevent It – ”cnet.com”
– Full art.: Wi-Fi security recommendations: How to secure your home Wi-Fi network – ”nordvpn.com”.
Photo: ”freepik.com”
– Cum îți configurezi routerul TP-Link cu Wi-Fi 6: Două metode – ”digitalcitizen.ro”
