With your doors and windows locked, most likely no one can enter the physical walls of your home, but an unsecured internet connection is like leaving the front door wide open for hackers, snoopers and other people with malicious intent to spy on your activities and steal your personal information.Luckily, there are steps you can take to set up a secure network and protect your data.We’ll go over quick and easy steps you can take to secure your network, along with more intensive security measures that can be useful for those who need them. Your router is the first line of defense Your router is your devices’ gateway to the internet.
If left unsecured, it can be a hacker’s gateway to your network and personal information.Here are some simple steps you can take to protect your home network: Don’t advertise your router to potential hackers First, change the name of your default network (also known as the SSID).This is what you see when you connect to Wi-Fi on one of your devices.
The default network name gives a potential hacker more information about your router than you want them to know, so changing it is a quick and easy way to add an extra layer of security.Here’s how you do it: If you have your ISP’s app downloaded on your phone, navigate to the Wi-Fi or Network tab (this may vary by provider) Look for a “Network details” or “Manage network” option, and select the option to edit Type in your new (unique) network name and save it If you aren’t using your provider’s app, you can change your network name using a web browser: Make sure your device is connected to your Wi-Fi network Open a web browser and type in your router’s IP address (it will look something like this 192.168.1.1).The default IP address is generally located on the back or bottom of your router Log in to your router’s setting using the username and password (located on your router) Navigate to the settings section of your router admin Find the area to edit you SSID Type in your new unique network name, and click save Next, you’ll also want to choose a new, unique password for your network.
The default password is usually very generic and readily available online, making it easy for hackers to gain access to your home network.You can change your password when you change your default network name, as described in the steps above.When choosing a new password, we always say to pick a “unique” one.
But what really makes a strong password that can protect your network? Make sure it’s long enough.Passwords should be at least 12 to 16 characters long.Longer passwords are harder to crack! Make it both complex and random.
Mix upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters.Use passphrases.Combining multiple unrelated words can make your password stronger (and easier to remember) Avoid the obvious.
Don’t just pick the obvious password choice.Avoid personal info like your name or address and also easy-to-guess info like your router brand name. Add an extra layer of security with additional protection Once your router is secured, it’s worth considering adding third-party protection to keep potentially malicious actors out of your network. A firewall monitors all data coming in and out of your network.If a firewall identifies potentially harmful data packets, it will block them from reaching your device. Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, establish an encrypted, secure tunnel between your device and a server.
That server communicates with the internet, sending and receiving data from your device.But all of that transfer of information takes place under a secure connection, so no one is able to see it (even if they are connected to your wireless network).There are many great VPN providers available, but we recommend ExpressVPN.
Update your device’s firmware whenever it prompts you.Your internet equipment manufacturers consistently provide security updates to address vulnerabilities.As soon as they become available, make sure you install them. Enable WPA3 security protocol.
WPA3 is the latest Wi-Fi security protocol and is a feature on many routers manufactured after 2020, but you may need to enable it.You can do this in your router’s settings.If you have older equipment, make sure you update your router’s firmware when prompted.
These updates could enable WPA3 on compatible devices.Group your devices into separate networks to stay secure If all devices in your home are connected to the same network, a breach on one device can compromise your entire household.Setting up separate networks for certain devices can help protect your personal data. Guest networks Set up a guest network for visitors to connect to when they enter your household.
This prevents people outside of your household from accessing your own home network, and by proxy, all of your devices and their data.Here’s how to do it: Log in to your router’s admin (either through the app or a web browser with your router’s IP address) Navigate to network settings Look for a “Guest network” section and enable it Give your new guest network a name and a unique password (make sure it’s different from your home network’s) Toggle off local access and save your changes! Learn more about how to set up a guest network.Virtual local area network (VLAN) Smart devices like your home appliances, refrigerator, light bulbs, smartwatch, security system and smart speaker are connected to your home network—and some are far less secure than others.
Hackers can use your smart devices as a stepping stone to your home network rather than directly attacking it.This is where a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) can be very useful.A VLAN allows you to group devices within a subnetwork, separate from your home network.
All devices connected to the VLAN are partitioned together, so if one is compromised, your entire network is not necessarily put at risk.This essentially allows your smart devices to be separate from any sensitive data or personal information a hacker could access. Allconnect expert tip If you want to set up a VLAN, we recommend getting in touch with an IT expert to ensure your devices and networks are protected.Different households have different priorities Everyone’s household is different.
What works for a single user with a few connected devices may not work for a large family or for someone handling sensitive data while working from home. Your household typeRecommended security measures Single user with a few devicesChange default router network and password; consistently update firmware Family with children; many devicesCreate guest networks, use strong passwords and enable parental controls Smart home Set up a VLAN or guest network; update firmware Remote workersUse a firewall and/or VPN; strong passwords Before you go, let’s do a quick security check: Have you created a unique network name and password? Do you consistently update your router’s firmware when prompted? Is WPA3 security enabled (if applicable)? Home security FAQs How do I keep my home Wi-Fi system safe? Change your router’s default network name and password and consistently update your router’s firmware.You can also look into third-party protection such as firewalls and VPNs to add an extra layer of security to your home network.How do I know if my router is hacked? Check for unrecognized devices connected to your network and watch for abnormally slow internet speeds.
Another sign is website redirects, such as being sent to a strange website while browsing.Do I need WPA3 security? WPA3 is the most up to date security protocol for home Wi-Fi networks, so if you can enable it on your router you definitely should.If you have older equipment without WPA3, consistently update your firmware to ensure you have the most current security features your router allows.
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