With the alarming rates of online snooping, it’s unfortunate that many wireless routers still come with no security features enabled. Most manufacturers leave the activation job to consumers. Luckily, you can still secure your home wireless network. And you won’t need additional software to do so.
Failure to secure your network means you remain vulnerable to naughty neighbor’s who can start relying on your Wi-Fi signal and add unnecessary extra bills. But that’s not the dangerous part of it; an unsecured network may give a fraudster trouble-free access to your whole system.
So, don’t be deceived that running your Wi-Fi or modem router on default settings will give you security. Though people won’t snoop into your Wi-Fi network, your crucial info like passwords will remain vulnerable.
That said; you can use these three simple steps to augment the security of your domestic wireless network:
1-Rename your default home network
The first move to a more secure domestic network is renaming your Wi-Fi network, famous as SSID (Service Set Identifier).
Renaming your Wi-Fi’s default will prevent malicious attackers from knowing exactly what type of Wi-Fi router you have. Hackers can easily find out your router manufacturer’s weaknesses and more easily attack you if they know the model you’re using.
To remain low-key and unidentified, use anonymous names and nothing related to you or anyone around you in any way. You don’t want to share out personal details to identify thieves in the name of renaming your wireless network.
2- Set a stronger password for your domestic wireless network
Almost all wireless routers come with a pre-set “username” & “password” which is needed to have the router connected the first time you use it. Unfortunately, these are usually an easy guess for fraudsters, more so if they know your model.
That’s why you need to change them both as soon as you’ve ensured your router is in good working shape. Make the password as strong as 10-15 characters counting letters, numbers, and different symbols.
3- Activate network encryption
WEP, WPA, and WPA2 are three common encryption languages for wireless networks.
WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) which is a better version of the WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) serves as a security protocol. It has been their current industry standard since 2006 (works are almost everywhere). What’s more, it encrypts traffic on Wireless networks.
It came to replace the outdated and more vulnerable WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and is an upgrade of the original technology.
But the exciting news is that WPA3 will soon be here to replace WPA2. This time around The Wi-Fi Alliance is looking to launch a new-age wireless network security standard that will solve the most widespread security problem; open Wi-Fi networks.
What’s more, the developers say the program features simplified Wi-fi security configurations for service providers and users.
Lastly, it’s wise to disable your wireless home network when you don’t intend to use it. By doing this, you go offline and therefore leave no room for malicious hackers who might be prying your network while you are away.
Contributor: Sophia Williams
