In this modern age, ensuring the protection of home networks is becoming ever more essential. Especially from remote work and smart home devices that process crucial information on a regular basis. However, it comes with the cost of being exposed to rising cyber threats including hacking, data breaches and malware, turning network security into an inevitable priority.
It’s not as difficult to set up a secure home network by following the proper steps. In fact, it allows one to secure their data and connected devices through the following steps.
1. Choosing the Appropriate Router
The router serves as the controllable device through which a home network can be accessed, thus serving as the weakest link, and allowing unrestricted access for hackers.
Ways to Take Precautions Against Hackers:
- Use a Reputed Router: Holidays and arbitrary warranties with the manufacturer serve as a tip in red flags for brands as A capable router strongly protects the network behind the wireless security enabled.
- Check for Available Updates: The firmware, which manufacturers update periodically, includes patches that resolve flaws often used by hackers to exploit smartphones and other devices.
- Alter Default Credentials: Routers are shipped with standard usernames and passwords; for instance, an admin may use the words admin, 1234. These should be immediately replaced with a lengthy and arbitrary string.
- Example of a secure password: W!r3l3$$_H0m3_2024!
2. Create a Secure Wi-Fi Password
The simplest method of protecting your network is to create a secure password.
- Choose a secure password that contains a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, digits and special characters. Avoid using personal information like your date of birth or your name.
- Update the standard SSID of the Wi-Fi and replace it with a name that does not include your router type or model (e.g., “HomeNetwork123” instead of “Netgear-1234”).
- Make use of WPA3 encryption whenever possible. If WPA3 cannot be used, then WPA2 is better than nothing. WEP is old technology and should be avoided as it is easily compromised.
3. Use Network Encryption
This prevents anyone from being able to read the data sent to and from your devices and your router.
- Access your router settings and confirm that WPA3 or WPA2 encryption is active. It is important to understand that this encrypts the wireless traffic so that hackers cannot simply intercept the data easily.
- Do not use WEP Networks (Wired Equivalent Privacy) as it is widely regarded as outdated and unsecure.
4. Disable Features Not In Use
Most routers have additional features that are not required, but they could still pose a security concern if left activated.
- Disable Remote Management. This method prevents outsiders from controlling the settings of the router.
- Disabling wps option (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) as it will make devices easier to connect but it is also an easy point for hackers to target.
- Turning Off Guest Networks (if not in Use) is required to be done in case there are no guest Wi-Fi networks in use in order to minimize exposure.
5. Create A Guest Network
If you frequently get people or friends who want to use your wifi, it is wise to set up a guest network and keep their devices on a separate network from your own for additional security purposes.
- Create another name for the guest network.
- Set up a strong and complex password for the guest network.
- Restrict guest users to a certain class of devices or services.
Firewalls
You should think of a firewall as the first barrier of security to any illegal access. Most routers now have firewalls but these are not always active as a standard.
- Enter your router settings and active the firewall function sometimes called ”SPI Firewall” or”NAT Filtering”.
- If you are using a separate firewall device ensure that it is properly configured to review the incoming and outgoing traffic.
7. Activate MAC Address Filtering
All devices have a distinct MAC (Media Access Control) address. On your router, you have the option to turn on MAC address filtering which allows you to restrict the devices that are able to use your network.
How to Activate Router MAC Filtering:
- Open your router configuration.
- Go toFiltering by MAC Address option.
- Enter MAC addresses of trusted devices (laptops, phones, smart TVs, etc).
- Block all the other devices.
Still, while not every tool can claim to offer complete protection, it makes it more difficult for unwarranted individuals to gain access.
8. Update Devices Regularly
The network itself does not offer security; it relies on the devices connected to it. Having obsolete software puts you still at risk since there are programmers who take advantage of such vulnerabilities.
- Update All Devices: Change settings of every device that is registered into your network such as computers, smart phones, tablets, smart TVs, IOT and the likes to prevent them from connecting if only the most current software and firmware updates are installed.
- Set the Automatic Updates Option On: This ensures your devices stay patched against the latest security threats.
9. Consider Using a VPN for Enhanced Security
A VPN is an effective way in increasing the privacy of the internet traffic you are sending and receiving, it therefore becomes very difficult for a fraudster or a spy to intercept your information and data if they so wish to do so.
- Choose a trustworthy VPN. Download it and install it on specific devices such as your computer, smartphone, or router.
- As working from home or using public Wifis becomes a norm, a VPN is indispensable in such scenarios.
10. Observe Communications on the Home Network
Maintaining an overview of the activities on the home computer network facilitates early detection of dubious activities.
- Check Devices that are Connected: Use the router interface to check for devices that have been connected. If there are any strange devices, you should look again to understand them.
- Use Communication Control Programs: Fing or GlassWire are applications that enable you to see what is going on within your network as it happens.
11. Protect Your IoT Devices from Access by Hackers
If such devices as smart cameras, smart thermostats, and smart voice assistants are not properly protected, they can provide a point of entry for a hacker.
- Change The Default Access Codes: Applications to all smart devices should include their own password that hasn’t been used anywhere else.
- Separate IoT Devices: Move IoT devices to a different guest network which dose not interact with the main devices.
- Turn Off Features That are Not Necessary: Use the deactivation switch to turn off features such as remote access or voice control, if you do not need them.
12. Restart the Router on a Regular Basis
Rebooting the system regularly helps resolve the problems of malware or malicious software that have taken over the router. For a secure home network, this is a basic but essential maintenance measure.
- Reboot it at least once a week as a minimum. In many routers, there is an option to do it automatically.
13. Teach Your Family Members Basic Security Practices
So as to protect the network from malicious access, it is very significant to work in a group. These protective steps should apply to all members of the household:
- Do not allow any outsiders to have a Wi-Fi password and access to the network.
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- Always set up your network key before a router is set up and always use authenticated hardware. If Intenna NEIS, Neighbored Evidence Identification Systems, is employed, it reduces social engineering attacks on minors and cyberbullying attacks on minors, as well as phishing with regard to devices such as printers and TVs and laptops.
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Use intelligent assistants that are mockingly aware of the presence of stalkers and rogue phone applications that automatically mute and ignore these devices. Automute also can assist in combating social engineering and possible cyberstocking so easily.
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