How can your Wi-Fi be secured?

While wireless networks have made it easier to use the internet on many devices without cables, they pose a greater safety risk than a broadband connection, since you can access the Wi-Fi signal even outside your house.

So learning how to protect your Wi-Fi network is certainly in your best interests when you are using cheap Wi-Fi plans in your home office. Most of us have antivirus software installed on our devices, but the security risk that Wi-Fi routers pose cannot be recognized.

It's not hard for hackers to access your wireless network, so it's important to know how to protect your Wi-Fi.

What does Wi-Fi Security Mean?

Wi-Fi networks pose a safety risk since they are available from a distance to a wireless signal. Possibly you don't mess with the setting except for the initial installation if you have a Wi-Fi router.

While that makes wireless Internet access easy, there are many things you can do to improve your device security. Securing your Wi-Fi does not prevent advanced hackers from jeopardizing your privacy, it makes hacking harder. The trick is to protect your router without compromising performance.

Why would anyone want their Wi-Fi secured?

Privacy and security on the Internet are challenging. Technology and cybersecurity are progressing with it. However, with every new Internet security growth, there are new tricks for hackers. Threats to cybersecurity seem to be just on the rise, from the current data breaches of Zoom's video conference site to security problems on social media sites such as Facebook.

The truth is that it is simpler than it is for a conventional wired network for someone to access your internet if you have a wireless connection. This is because you can hit a neighbor or cross the road with a Wi-Fi signal outside your house.

With High End Routers rising bandwidth and speed, most routers are vulnerable to the default security configuration. That makes it easy for a hacker to access and interrupt your Wi-Fi.

For instance, a sophisticated hacker could have access to your confidential financial details during transmission over the network by doing your online banking on your unsecured Wi-Fi network.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is increasingly popular with households and oversharing is becoming the norm. Such security dangers are even more relevant. IoT devices hold a lot of their private data. If you have multiple IoT devices, a security violation can have a catastrophic effect.

In the end, it's easier to protect your Wi-Fi router using the following easy methods even if you hacked, and even if you've got great antivirus software in place.

How to secure Wi-Fi?

There are easy ways to protect your Wi-Fi router and make your Wi-Fi secure.

Update the name of your SSID network

SSID or the name of your router's wireless network typically comes predefined as your router's brand name. If this default name is modified, hackers cannot know what kind of router you have and what vulnerabilities it might be.

Use WPA2 encryption to create a strong and unique Wi-Fi password

Wi-Fi routers typically have a default password or no password whatsoever. Such a password is always simple and particularly easy for hackers to imagine if they know the manufacturer of the router.

Changing this default to a unique and powerful password plays an important role in your Wi-Fi network security. A strong Wi-Fi password normally has at least 20 characters in length and consists of a mixture of small letters, numbers, and symbols.

On your router, change your administrator password

You use a username and password to log in as an administrator to your router. Some of the routers have default username/password combinations such as "admin/admin" or "admin/password."

Even if you have obtained login details from your router manufacturer that is different from that, a public database with such usernames and passwords exists or hackers can brute them. It is also best to update your router's default login info.

Maintain your router updated

In Wi-Fi network security, the firmware of your router is also essential. But router firmware has also its vulnerabilities, like any other software, which trained hackers can easily use.

Unfortunately, most routers do not have an auto-update feature and while this is the case, they have to manually activate the option. It is always often easier to check and install updates periodically.

Use a firewall

Firewalls are available in two forms: software firewalls that run on your computer, which provide protection for suspect applications and programs, and hardware firewalls that do not vary much from the software, except to provide the first line of attack safety.

It is good that most routers are equipped with an integrated firewall that provides reasonable security via default settings.

The Bottom Line

The tips above are fast and cheap ways to protect your wireless internet and keep most hackers out. That said, routers of better quality are also safer, so do not be afraid to shell out a little more cash to priorities security.

FAQs

Do I need to be technologically competent to secure my Wi-Fi?

No! Most of the Wi-Fi methods are very easy to deploy. To protect your Wi-Fi using these methods you need not be aware of anything but the basics of using the internet.

Is my Wi-Fi safe from hackers with a strong password?

Holding your password, with letters, numbers, and symbols, at least 20 characters long makes it hard to devalue or brute your password and most hackers do not find the effort to attack your device worthwhile.

How many times do I check for firmware updates on my router?

As much as you can. Check for updates at least once a month if there is no auto-updating feature in your router. The firmware that is out of date can lead to unnecessary security risks.