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In this day and age, where nearly everything is internet-dependent, making sure your home Wi-Fi network is secure is probably more important than leaving the front door locked (it isn’t). Still, considering how all our laptops, smartphones, smart home devices,etc. bank heavily on Wi-Fi, having an insecure network (we don’t mean emotionally) is basically the same as opening Pandora’s box.
Why? This could lead to hackers snatching away your personal details, spying on your web activities, misusing your bandwidth, or worse still, taking over your wired devices. On the bright side, amping up your home Wi-Fi security is very doable and easy. Here’s how:
Use A Strong Password
Let’s cut to the chase - the initial key to keeping your Wi-Fi network secure is a robust, unique password. You might think, “Doesn’t my router come with a secure password, though?” The answer, dear reader, it’s not. Any hacker worth their salt is almost weirdly good at weeding those out, sosetting a new password is a must.
Your ideal password should be a medley of 12 to 16 characters, with a colorful mélange of uppercase, lowercase, digits, and symbols.Keep in mind, your passwordshouldn’t resemble an autobiography— which is to say that it should avoid any personal info (like your anniversary date or lucky number) that anyone could dig up from your social media timelines.
Don’t adopt the ‘one key fits all’ strategy where you use the same password for everything(Folks, if a hacker gains entry to your Wi-Fi, you certainly don’t want them to have a VIP pass to your emails, banking data, and more). Here’s a handy tip to tackle this; use a passphrase. This is a chain of random words strung together. Perhaps something on the lines of “flamingo pancake keyboard sunset”? Using a password manager, which’ll whip up, remember, and feed secure passwords to your devices can also be a healthy practice.
Enable WPA2/WPA3 Encryption
Did you know that it’s not just the password strength that secures your router, but also the encryption standards it employs? Yup, its primary job is to make the jibber-jabber data flying around your network indecipherable to any nosy neighbors who might be not-so-innocently sniffing around your digital business (messages, browsing habits, you name it).
Now, imagine getting a diamond-standard security service for your network. Well, that’s what WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) does. It uses AES encryption - a top-notch algorithm that leaves the older, punier WPA and WEP standards in the dust. And WPA3 is just the amped-up, roided out version of WPA2, so it’s even cooler for stuff likeindividualized data encryption for devices on public networks, or enhanced defenses against brute force attacks.
How can you check your router’s encryption status? Simple!Just take a look around in your router’s admin panel (which can be accessed by punching the router’s IP address into your browser) and ensure the protocol you choose is properly set up.
Both WPA2 and WPA3 come as Personal and Enterprise editions. Don’t get swayed by the flashy enterprise tag; it’s meant for chunky business networks with a RADIUS server. For most households, the Personal version fits like a glove.
Change The Default SSID
More often than not, the SSID on your router is just the manufacturer’s name or model number, which, let’s be honest, is a gift-wrapped feed for hackers to know your router’s make and model… and then take advantage of any weak points in it.
Instead, channel your creativity intocrafting a unique SSID. A side of humor won’t hurt, actually. Anything except FartMonster2001 though (sorry folks, that one’s taken).Go ahead and sprinkle in some arbitrary digits or characters, and voila! You have an SSID that’s as cryptic as it can get.
Didn’t think we’d let you go without another piece of advice, did you?Switch off that SSID broadcast functionto keep things lowkey. With this feature turned off, your network name won’t pop up when nearby devices are searching for available Wi-Fi connections, leaving them in the dark about your network’s existence. A pretty effective smokescreen, actually.
Enable The Firewall
Okay, so try taking a moment to look into your router’s inbuilt firewall feature. It’s basically working the doors of your network traffic, controlling the incoming and outgoing data rushes, and keeping an eagle’s eye out for any weird activity. However, this isn’t always active by default. So,it’s a good idea to give it a look and make sure it’s turned on.
And even if your router doesn’t come with a firewall, don’t even worry about it! Your computer’s operating system typically includes a software firewall, such asWindows Defender Firewallon PCs or the macOSApplication Firewallfor Mac users, so you’re pretty sorted there.
While you’re at it, check if your router supports other advanced security features like VPN passthrough, which lets you use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic without interfering with your firewall.
Keep Your Router Updated
Manufacturers are constantly on the ball, releasing firmware updates to patch up security shortfalls and spice things up with new features. But here’s the kicker, a lot of folks tend to disregard these updates, leaving their networks open to all sorts of nasties.
So here’s what you should do when an update alert pops up for your router - do not, and we really emphasize this, ignore it.Get yourself logged into your router’s settings (generally by keying in 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into your web browser) and look out for any pending firmware enhancements.Some of the latest routers even install updates automatically (how cool is that?).
Moreover, a little stroll through your router manufacturer’s website every now and then wouldn’t hurt. Check for updates or security warnings, especially if you own an older router, which might be senescent enough to not receive automatic updates.
Filter MAC Addresses
Every device that connects to your network comes with a unique identifier called a MAC (Media Access Control) address. Now this can be your laptop, phone, printer, or even one of those smart lightbulbs. The cool part here is thatyou can actually use these MAC addresses to create a whitelist that kinda tells your router which devices specifically are allowed to connect to your network. Everything else just gets blocked.
To set up MAC address filtering, you’ll need to find the list of connected devices in your router’s settings.The process isn’t a one size fits all kinda thing, and changes with respect to the router you’ve got, but you may usually see a list under “Wireless Settings” or “Wireless Status”. Once there, you can choose which devices to allow or block based on their MAC addresses.
Keep in mind that MAC address filtering can be inconvenient if you frequently have guests who need to get online or if you’re constantly adding new devices to your network yourself. You’ll have to manually add any new permitted devices to the whitelist before they can connect.
Reduce Your Router’s Range
Having a Wi-Fi signal that covers your whole property is definitely a convenient thing, but the farther your network reaches, the easier it is for others to detect and potentially hack into it (stating the obvious here, haha). The thing is that you probably don’t even need your Wi-Fi to go that far, so consider adjusting your router’s signal strength to limit its range.
Some routers have a built-in “power output adjustment” feature. Check your router’s settings to see if you have this option, and you may be able to lower the broadcasting power to restrict your network bubble without impacting your own coverage.There are also some simple DIY tricks to contain your Wi-Fi signal, likerepositioning your router toward the center of your living space (instead of near windows) and away from exterior walls.Even placing your router inside a cardboard box can help block the signal from extending too far outside.
Andif you do need Wi-Fi coverage in your outdoor spaces but want to maintain security, consider setting up a separate “guest network” for your patio or yard.Many routers support guest networks that are walled off from your main network, with their own SSID and password. That way, you may enjoy Wi-Fi outside without exposing your primary network. Just be sure to use a strong password and encryption on your guest network as well.
Disable Remote Management
A lot of routers come with a handy little remote management feature that basically allows you to access your router’s settings from outside your home network, such as when you’re at work, or vacationing in Turks & Caicos with an Elvis impersonator, eating PBB sandwiches. While this can be pretty useful in some cases, it also opens up your router to attack from virtually anywhere in the world.
Folks, unless you absolutely, unconditionally, irrevocably need remote access for some reason, it’s probably for the best if you just go ahead anddisable remote management altogether.Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to configure your router from inside your home network,butno one else will be able to tamper with your settings from like a continent away or something.
To turn off remote management, just log into your router’s settings and look for an option labeled “Remote Management” or “Remote Administration”. The exact location is going to vary cause it’s usually based on the router brand, but as a rule of thumb, you can usually find itunder the “Administration” or “Security” settings. If you do need to use remote management, make sure it’s configured to only allow access from specific IP addresses and with a strong password.
Use A VPN
For the uninitiated, VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, a magical name for a simple idea: it’s like your private tunnel on the internet superhighway, where your traffic is safely hidden and secured en route to its final destination.
How to choose the right VPN, you ask? Well, take a good look around, and you’ll find scores of service providers, each with their own bell and whistle, not to mention a price tag.What you need is a VPN that offers aminimum256-bit AES encryption strength, has a strict no-snooping-around-your-data policy, and an extensive roster of servers with a global footprint.Some of the trusted stalwarts of the industry areNordVPN,ExpressVPN, andSurfshark(You’re welcome).
Is this going to cause a bit of a speed issue with your data? Mayhaps. You see, your data has to take a longer route and undergo the whole encryption/decryption process, which can cause a lag. But trust us, your internet speed won’t take that serious of a hit, and the slight reduction is a small price to pay for the mammoth security advantages a VPN offers.
Stay Vigilant
Despite dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s concerning your home Wi-Fi security, maintaining a bit of skepticism and a proactive guard is a smart move.ensure you’re always in the loop with your router’s settings and watch the list of devices connected to your network. And if you do see something weird, check it out ASAP.
Consider setting up alerts or notifications for any new devices joining your network, so you can quickly spot if something fishy is going on. Some routers can send email or SMS alerts when a new device connects.
Have suspicions that your router has been compromised? Hit the ‘reset’ button on your routerand start from square one, setting up your network again. Sure, it might be as appealing as eating broccoli for dessert, but the alternative is chilling, which is you leaving the welcome mat out for any budding hackers.
In the words of King Arthur III, “Network security is a marathon, not a sprint”. By sticking to these friendly pointers and keeping security front and center, you’ll sleep like a baby, reassured that your home network is less appetizing to ze hackers.
Can using public Wi-Fi compromise my home network?
Public Wi-Fi doesn’t interact with your home network directly. However, it opens up a lot of vulnerabilities for your devices and personal data. Hypothetically, let’s say you connect to a public hotspot that’s not secured (A risk we all take for free internet, right?). There’s a chance some tech hotshot could eavesdrop on your traffic and sneakily steal delicate information like passwords. Which is why verify you’re always under the safety blanket of a VPN when using public Wi-Fi.
What’s the best place to put my router for optimal security?
Alright, so you are going to place your router at a central location in your home to minimize how far the signal are going outside your walls. One thing to keep in mind is to avoid placing it near windows or exterior walls.
How often should I change my Wi-Fi password?
Changing your password is a superb idea to shake things up now and then, but there’s no magic number set in stone. Some tech gurus suggest a reset every three to six months while others are cool with a yearly change. Although, make sure to change it immediately if you think your network has been compromised.
