When your wireless network, better known as Wi-Fi, isn’t secure you can put your digital and physical life in danger. External parties can access the Internet using your broadband connection even while they are somewhere else in the neighborhood or sitting in a car that’s parked nearby.
Some common issues with include; your monthly Internet bill increases if you pay per byte of data; the Internet speed will decrease; it can create security hazards and others may hack your computer, access personal information and files from your computer.
To prevent these from happening, you need to secure your wireless network. The best part about it is it’s fairly simple to do! Here are a few things that you can do to take action and secure your wireless network today.
1. Router Settings
Before you get started, you will need to know how to access you wireless router’s settings. If you go to your web browser and type “192.168.1.1” and then the correct username and password for the router you should be able to access the settings.
Refer to your router’s user manual or visit the manufacturer’s site for further instructions.
2. Unique Password
We say this over and over again: create a unique password. When you have logged into your router, the first thing that you should do is secure the network with a unique password. It may come with a default password, but to prevent others from accessing the router you want to take this additional step.
The reason the default password isn’t sufficient enough to protect your network is because there is a public database that hosts default usernames and passwords. Anyone can go to this database and look for a default that can access your equipment as its admin.
To change the password from administration settings all you have to do is go to the router’s settings page.
3. Change you Network’s SSID
The SSID is the Wireless Network Name for your wireless router. This name is usually a default set as the brand name. This will help for obvious reasons; the hacker will not be able to determine which network they are connecting to and who owns it.
To make this change stay on your router’s settings page and look at the basic wireless settings. Don’t create a network title with your own personal name, home address or other personal information that someone may know or want to know.
4. Enable Network Encryption
To prevent other computers in the area from using your internet connection, you need to encrypt your wireless signals.
We recommend using the WPA2 encryption method for wireless settings. Though, if you have an older computer the WEP method might be a better option. To enable encryption on your wireless network, start by opening the wireless security settings on the router’s configuration page. You will have a few options to choose from such as WEP, WPA and WPA2. Enter a passphrase to access the network. Make sure that this is something difficult for others to predict. We recommend using a combination of letters, numbers and special characters in the passphrase.
For the Best Secure Wireless Network Possible
These are basic steps that you can take to secure your wireless network. If you want to go the extra mile we recommend you do the following:
- Filter MAC addresses (this has nothing to do with Apple or Mac equipment)
- Reduce the range of your wireless signal.
- Apply anti-Wi-Fi paint
- Upgrade router’s firmware
Either way, by following the basic or advanced steps, you will have a more secure wireless network. Now it will be tough for intruders to intercept your Wi-Fi signals and which prevents damage and harm.
It is so incredibly important to have a secure wireless network at home. Go the extra mile and follow this guide. In addition, if you would like assistance from an expert technician give your local IT support company a call today!