How to Secure Your Home WiFi in 7 Simple Steps
Nearly every home has a private wifi network. But have you ever stopped to think about how important it is to keep that wifi network secure? You transmit so much important data while connected to it: your passwords, bank account details, etc. If your wifi network isn’t properly secured, all of that information may be out in the open. Keep reading for some important wifi security steps that every home should implement.
1. Use a good wifi password
You want to make sure that random outsiders aren’t able to connect to your wifi. Most people already want to avoid this because if random bypassers or your neighbors keep using your wifi, it will become much slower. But you should also keep your wifi password strong to keep hackers away. If a hacker can connect to your network, they might be able to cause a whole lot of damage and even steal your data.
The best way to keep outsiders from connecting to your network is by setting a strong password. Don’t use anything generic or easy, like “password”, or “12345”. The best passwords are long and complicated. Consider using a password generator tool to ensure that your wifi password is definitely strong.
2. Use strong encryption
Encrypting your wifi network means making your data inaccessible to outsiders. For example, if a hacker were to connect to your wifi and try to intercept your connection and spy on you, all data you transmit would be impossible for the hacker to understand. There are many different types of encryption that offer varying levels of security. Here’s a useful guide to help you choose the best kind of encryption for your home wifi network.
3. Change the name of your network
The name of your wifi network is referred to as an SSID (service set identifier). Changing your SSID will not only help you and your guests identify your wifi network immediately, but it will also help secure it from hackers.
Your default SSID usually includes valuable information like your ISP and router brand, which can be used in creating a tailored hacking plan. Set your SSID as something that wouldn’t disclose any of this information, and use something generic that doesn’t include your name or address.
4. Use a firewall
By enabling a firewall on your wifi router, you can monitor all traffic going through it. This can help detect unwanted traffic and stop it from getting into your network. For example, a firewall can help prevent outside hackers from intercepting the connection to your wifi network.
5. Keep your router’s firmware updated
Your wifi router should always be on the latest firmware version. Old versions of firmware usually have security flaws that make it easier for hackers to attack it. To keep your router on the most secure version possible, make sure you get updates as soon as they come out.
6. Place your router in the middle of your home
There are a couple of benefits of placing your router in the middle of your home. First, it will ensure that you can properly connect to your router from each part of your home. If you place your router in one corner of your home, then the connection might be a bit off on the other side.
Another important reason why you should place your router in the middle of your home is to prevent outsiders from connecting to your network. If the router is in the middle of your home, then it probably won’t be very easy to connect to from outside.
7. Turn off your wifi before leaving anywhere
Finally, to keep your wifi as secure as possible, keep it turned off when you aren’t home. This may not be as significant as the steps mentioned previously, but it will ensure that hackers can’t even attempt to connect to your network during most of the day.
