You have probably heard warnings about the risks of using an unsecured WiFi network – for example in a coffee shop or other public place. However, had you considered that the WiFi within your own home might also leave you vulnerable to hackers?
If you work from home, then a WiFi vulnerability could potentially put company data at risk. Even if you don’t, you’ll want to protect your personal information, messages and online banking accounts.
Here are some pointers to ensure that your home WiFi is well-protected:
- Encryption. It is likely that your router comes with end-to-end encryption for your WiFi network and a built in firewall. Check that this is the case (and that encryption is switched on!) and if it’s not able to provide encrypted connections you should consider an upgrade.
- Change the password. Your router may have been supplied with a default password which is standard for the make of device. The majority of people don’t bother to change the password, but doing so will enable you to set a stronger password and to select who you choose to share it with.
- Consider a guest network. Although visitors to your home are hopefully unlikely to deliberately compromise your network, they could accidentally infect your system if their devices contain malware. You might also want to use a separate network to keep “Internet of Things” devices separate from the network that you use for your phone and computer – just in case those IoT devices prove to be more vulnerable.
- Put the router in a central place. Whilst this won’t be possible in all properties, try to site the router as close to the centre of the building as possible. Firstly, it means that you get optimal signal wherever in the building you are. Secondly, though, it should mean that there won’t be a good signal outside the property, meaning your network won’t be visible to people outside.
- Check the router’s security standard. WPA3 (which stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) is the most up to date security certification program available for WiFi routers. If your router is more than four years old, it is likely to have the previous level of security (WPA2) and therefore be less secure. Check whether your Internet provider will provide an upgraded router and if not, consider investing in one.
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