Securing Your Home Wi-Fi Network-
Do you notice completely random or sudden slowdowns in your internet? What if I told you, this could be a sign that your home WiFi could be at risk of data theft and unauthorized access? Your home network may not contain corporate proprietary information, however you may be putting your personal details and your login credentials at risk, there is no reason for outsiders to siphon the network you paid for while also putting your home’s virtual security at risk. Let’s go through the ways to fortify the security of your WiFi and ensure your family safety is never at risk.
WiFi Associated Risks for Homes – Common Networks
Outside education and workplaces, we also abide in and populate a virtual world where we can create and conserve our memories. Why let strangers with bad intentions ruin your reputation and credibility that you worked for years to achieve? Let’s discuss the factors at stake.
Unauthorized Access:
When attackers gain access to your WiFi Network, not only they are consuming your network bandwidth to slow down your network, they are now able to use your connection to engage in illegal activities which may end up being tracked to your home. Your network may also be used to send spam emails or malicious content that could be backtracked to you for legal actions of your IP address may automatically be blacklisted.
Data Theft:
Attackers are after your data, they can track your sensitive information to collect your personal details, financial details, login credentials, medical records, social media information to use against you or cause financial damage.
Spying:
Attackers may spy on you full time virtually without you realizing, they may use sophisticated attacks to hijack your microphone and camera to put you under constant surveillance.
Packet Sniffing:
Attackers may use packet sniffing tools to monitor and filter out specific data while you are using your everyday devices; they are looking for such as emails, passwords and other personal data.
Phishing Attacks:
Attackers may use your network to gain your information to send specifically tailored messages to trick users into entering sensitive information or grant access to your data under false pretenses.
Pushing Ransomware:
You can be put under risk if your network is ransomware inflicted, your data may be encrypted and the attacker may demand a ransom for decryption. You may face significant financial damage to gain access to your computer and in some cases users have been completely virtually destroyed even after paying ransom.
Malware:
Your WiFi network can be used to inflict your devices with ransomware, malware and viruses which can lead to financial losses and corrupted data. Any of your connected home devices such as cameras, printers, smart speakers, TVs, thermostats, Air Conditioning, smart clocks can be put under threat.
The Best Ways and Practices to Halt Network Attackers
Network attacks not only affect us virtually but also can significantly affect our life with privacy invasions and financial damages therefore it becomes a massive necessity to ensure security, let’s go over the best practices for a secure home connection.
Let Defaults Go:
Default Router Admin Panel usernames and passwords are often well known and could be easily guessed, change your default login credentials to a strong username and password for maximum control over your router.
Naming SSID:
Using personal information like names or anything related to the user makes it easy for attackers to choose and study their victims. Change your SSID (Service Set Identifier) to a unique name, this makes your network much harder to identify.
Encryption Upgrade:
The most commonly used WiFi encryptions used around the world are WEP and WPA, which are much easier to crack and offer low protection. It is recommended that you upgrade to WPA3 for maximum protection against common threats, however if WPA3 is not available use WPA2, it makes your network much harder to decode and gain access.
Strong Passwords:
Ensure your password is built with complexity, involve uppercase and lowercase letters with numbers and special characters involving 12-16 characters to enhance security, this renders most brute force attacks on your network completely useless.
Enable Firewall:
Ensure your router’s built-in firewall is enabled and functioning, this provides you with another layer of protection against threats. And use a firewall from the software side of your devices for a double firewall layer of protection.
Monitoring:
Regularly monitor connected devices and look for unfamiliar devices, make sure only the devices you have authorized have the permission to access your network. Use monitoring tools to detect any unusual behavior to prevent any potential threats and further enhance your security.
VPNs:
VPN (Virtual Private Network) are encryption systems that encrypt your internet traffic and add an extra layer of security by hiding your IP Address and secures your data from unwanted interceptions.
Firmware Updates:
Regularly check for updates for your devices and most importantly your router to the latest update to ensure you have the latest security patches that keeps you protected against all kinds of threats and vulnerabilities.
Concluding the Home WiFi Security Guide
Follow our tips to ensure your WiFi is safe from attackers with all kinds of intentions, from siphoning your bandwidth to virtual existence of personal, social or financing profiles. Protecting your personal information is essential and we prepared this guide to help home WiFi users all over the world for a safe access to the internet. This goes beyond convenience, it is a necessity in modern existence. We stand for vigilance in the maintenance of world
for all families and homes.