How do you secure your home Wi-Fi network? Over the last several years, home wireless networking has undergone quite the transformation. For example, hardware quality and security awareness in the consumer market have both improved. For anyone looking for a prosumer experience, cloud-managed home Wi-Fi — similar to enterprise setups — has also emerged as a possibility.
A secure home network is an essential aspect of internet safety. Hackers can exploit vulnerable networks to carry out a range of cybercrimes such as installing malware, carrying out data and identity theft, and creating botnets.
Wi-Fi security, in particular, has evolved. While the days of war driving and finding home networks open to exploit may be over, home Wi-Fi security could still go sideways in many places. For instance, the tools available to hackers have been commoditized as they’re still seeking ways to bypass Wi-Fi security even if the days of default open networks are a distant memory.
If you’re wondering how to secure your home Wi-Fi network — given the latest Wi-Fi developments on all fronts — this guide is for you.
What is Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is a modern technology that uses a wireless networking connection. It allows devices like computers, laptops, mobile, or others to share its network with other networking devices.
These days, internet connectivity occurs via wireless routers. Therefore, when you access Wi-Fi, you will be connecting to a wireless router which allows your Wi-Fi-compatible devices to interface or link with the internet.
Wi-Fi is not an acronym. Instead, the brand name is designed by a marketing firm meant to serve as a middleware seal for commercializing efforts. It uses radio waves to impart information between your device and a router via frequencies. Two radio-wave frequencies are utilized depending on the amount of data being sent.
The two Wi-Fi frequencies are separated into multiple channels to prevent high traffic and interference. When you access the network on your device, the information you provide is converted into binary code, which is the language of the computers. Next, the Wi-Fi router connected to the device receives frequencies that travel across the radio station. Finally, the router receives the data through a hardwired internet cable.
Some changes and routines can be implemented that protect you from intruders, snoopers, and internet carpetbaggers. You should always make a control if anyone gets on your network.
The next problem is the signal footprint. If anyone can pick up a signal from your router, they can also grasp data and gather all the passwords.
Following are some tips to ensure your Wi-Fi is private and blocking hackers.
How to secure your home Wi-Fi network
Update the ecosystem routinely
Recognize that all your network components form an interconnected system — and so they need care and feeding. Wi-Fi routers, access points (APs), laptops, mobile devices, printers, and anything else on the network should have their OSes kept up to date. Firmware, drivers, and applications all develop security weaknesses over time. Keep them updated, especially for devices that may leave your network when you travel.
For those working from home, devices may come and go on your home Wi-Fi network. These devices can be conduits for problems if they aren’t kept current. As a bonus, updating your devices can improve device performance and security.
These updates can also take advantage of new wireless settings as they’re released by the hardware vendor.
Use strong passwords and disable unused services
It’s easy to forget that Wi-Fi is just part of the rest of the network. Important devices on your home network — like networked storage or media servers — should have strong passwords as part of the overall home network security posture. Never use the Wi-Fi password for access to these resources.
Also, note that many network devices come with a plethora of services enabled — printers are often the worst in this regard. Services like Simple Network Management Protocol, Telnet, Server Message Block and several more are frequently enabled with weak default settings. If you don’t use the service locally, turn it off.
Change username and password frequently
Passwords play an important role in maintaining security. Regularly, you can change the username and password because there is no rule regarding how often you change the router password.
You can also access your router’s configuration page via a web browser connected to your network.
- Enter a typical router address.
- Enter your router’s username and password.
- Open the Wireless section provided.
- Now create a new password using letters, numbers, and special characters. A strong password can contain at least eight characters long.
- Finally, save your changes so that you can connect to your wireless network using your new password.
Modern Wi-Fi routers include the ‘Guest network’ option with their SSID and password. In this case, you don’t want to share your primary password. Meanwhile, guests can also connect to the Internet with their devices.
Use an obscure SSID
For home wireless networks, don’t use your last name or any other easy monikers in your service set identifier (SSID). While people are naturally inclined to name devices and networks after themselves, no one should know which wireless LAN (WLAN) is yours. In other words, better to use “HybridTheory” rather than “JimmyArnis” to name your wireless network.
Putting your name out there might make you a target for nearby hackers if they fall within your signal footprint and decide to play games at your expense.
Strengthen your Wi-Fi encryption
Most wireless routers come with an encryption feature, which is usually turned off by default. Turning on your home router’s encryption setting can help secure your network. There are four types of Wi-Fi protection systems commonly used to secure transmissions so that only the user’s device and the Wi-Fi router can read the contents of the transmission.
They are:
- Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
- Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
- Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA 2)
- Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA 3)
WPA 2 and WPA 3 are the better options for those wondering how to secure Wi-Fi, as they are newer and more secure. The older WPA and WEP versions are vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
If your router gives you the option, consider creating a guest wireless network, also using WPA 2 or WPA 3, and protected with a strong password. Use this guest network for visitors: friends and family will most likely not want (or need to) hack your network. Still, they may be using devices that have been compromised or infected with malware before using your network. A guest network helps to enhance home network security.
Use a VPN
VPN is commonly known as Virtual Private Network (VPN). They provide primary security benefits that protect your router from interloping. Use of Wi-Fi hotspots in public places along with a VPN will preserve your device from spammers.
Hackers may also use “Man-in-the-middle” to plunder your data that is connected to the same network. When you use this device in the home, the possibility of targeting your router is high.
- Open settings and select Wi-Fi & Internet or Wireless & networks.
- Select the VPN option.
- Enter the server address, username, and password, that the network administrator provides.
- Make use of one of the prominent VPNs
Shut down your Wi-Fi network when not at home
Whenever you leave home, make sure that the Wi-Fi network is turned off. It is better to unplug your device from a connection because, without a network connection, cyberpunks can’t steal your data.
- Open Settings and select Wi-Fi.
- Click the turn-off option to shut down the network connection.
Use Firewalls
A Firewall acts as a shield in the process of separating your device from the Internet. Some openings called ports may communicate with your device. At this point, the firewall arrests those ports and prevents your device from hackers.
You can also use other security software like antivirus programs. In the view of the business sector, Hardware firewalls are appreciable. Software firewalls are widely used by home users since they are cheap.
Keep your router firmware up to date
It is good cybersecurity practice to keep your software up to date – and that includes your router firmware. Older firmware will have vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Some routers allow users to check from the management interface if firmware updates are available, and a few may offer automatic updates. You can also check the vendor’s support website to see if updates for your router model are available.
Sometimes the triggers for firmware updates are news stories about significant virus attacks. The outbreak of a severe attack will motivate the router manufacturer to review its firmware codes to ensure its equipment is not vulnerable to the new attack. If it is, they will issue a security patch – hence the need to stay updated.
Disable remote access
Most routers have a remote access feature that allows you to access your WiFi network from anywhere you have an internet connection.
This may be a convenient way to manage your wireless network from another location, but it may also lead to network security issues. The potential for hacks only increases if you haven’t changed the default router credentials, which means anyone could access your wireless password and, as a result, your network.
Unless you absolutely must use the remote feature, it is best to turn it off. It’s simply too easy for hackers to potentially gain your legitimate credentials to access your wireless network. To disable this feature, look for the remote access settings in your router’s interface.
Place your router in the middle of your home
Most WiFi network signals are strong enough that someone outside of your home could “see” the connection on their device. To prevent this, you can simply move your router to a more central location in your home.
This is an easy, non-technical step to prevent unwanted access from someone sitting in a vehicle across the street from your home. As a bonus, it will provide better internet access in all areas of your home.
If you can’t move your router to a central area because of your home’s layout, you should at least move your wireless router away from windows. Windows don’t block the WiFi signal. Depending on the signal strength, it is possible someone could access your network from outside your property.
Beware physical risks
Depending on your situation, you may have physical ports or cabling on your network that are exposed or easily accessed by outsiders. Maybe the cabling for an outside AP or camera is accessible from the ground. Aside from being targets of theft, these devices or their uplink wiring can be used for a range of intrusions. Check on them frequently to make sure no one has tampered with them.
It’s easy to forget about network components on the outside of the house, but rogue access to your network can take many forms.
Inside, be mindful of where your Wi-Fi router and other important network devices are located. If you have many visitors, you don’t want your equipment out in plain sight. You also don’t want the cat swinging on patch cables or the dog biting into power cables. Finally, be mindful of how far your signal reaches beyond your walls.
Summary of how to secure your home Wi-Fi network
Learning how to secure your home’s WiFi is an essential step to ensure your data is safe from cybercriminals. Given how many of our devices connect to our network, you must take every step possible to stop bad actors in their tracks.
If you can’t realistically follow all of the tips we outlined above, at least try a couple of them to make small, simple changes. For example, just moving your router to the middle of your home and updating your router’s firmware can stop more casual hackers who may give up at the first sign of resistance.
Recommended Articles
- VPN Benefits: Pros & Cons of a VPN in Everyday Use
- Static IP: Definition And How To Set It Up
- 11 Best Remote Access Software Tools for 2024
- Why Is Cybersecurity Important? All You Need To Know
- Cybersecurity Risk Assessment: What It Is & How To Perform It
- PASSWORD CRACKING: Definition & Cracking Techniques
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