Wi-Fi is a need for any modern household. Features of your smartphones are supported by Wi-Fi, your computers are connected to it, and even smart home solutions work with a wireless network. Therefore, protecting your wireless connection is crucial for your and your household’s security.
Popular service plans like Optimal Internet include built-in features to protect users from hackers and prying eyes. In this blog, you will find some amazing yet easy ways to protect your data over WiFi.
Change the Default Network Name
Most Wi-Fi routers and internet connections come with a default name and password. This name gives off which internet service provider you are subscribed to. Hackers who already know the default password can get an easy way in. To avoid this happening, you should change the SSID and your password.
Choose a name that doesn’t tell which provider you are subscribed to. Also, do not select names like Josh’s internet, house number X, or anything of personal nature. An anonymous name will help you secure your identity and your internet.
Put Up a Strong Password
The first step you should take to secure your internet connection is to use a strong password. Your password should not be easy to guess. So, avoid using personal information like birthdays, your pet’s name, or anything of that nature. Instead, go with a strong password that is a combination of numbers, symbols, and alphabets.
Change the Password Frequently
A lot of people set up a password once and never change it again. It is hard to forget how many people you have shared the password with over the years. On top of that, those people may have further shared the password with others. Ease of access makes your network more vulnerable to attacks from hackers. To secure your Wi-Fi over the long run, it is highly advisable for you to keep on changing passwords. Make sure all your passwords are not obvious or easy to guess.
Disable SSID Broadcasting Feature
One way to secure your connection is to simply make it disappear from the available connections that appear on people’s devices. It is not a foolproof method to protect your Wi-Fi but can serve as a dependable second layer of security.
To disable the SSID broadcasting feature, you first need to log in to your network. Go to the wireless settings and then disable the SSID broadcasting feature. Apart from the security features, an added benefit is that you won’t have to share your Wi-Fi passwords since no one can see the connection in the first place.
Create a Home Guest Network
Sharing passwords of your home network makes it vulnerable to attacks. And denying passwords will make you look bad to family members and friends. There is one safe way that will save you the awkwardness while protecting your network. Simply create a guest network and separate all your sensitive devices from the guest network.
Put a different SSID and password for your guest network. Most new Wi-Fi routers already have this option. And if you are using an old router for more than 3 years, it may be the right time for you to get one with the guest network feature.
Turn On Your Router’s Firewall
Wi-Fi routers generally have a built-in firewall. Wi-Fi firewalls work like filters that block unauthorized traffic and attacks. Your router’s firewall can play an important role in keeping you protected at all times.
The only problem with Wi-Fi firewalls is that you have to turn them on. Firewalls are usually not turned on by default. So, open that instruction manual or look up the method to turn on the firewall and then follow the mentioned steps. Do know that turning on the firewall often reboots your router, and you will have to do all the settings again. Connecting all the devices again is another hassle. However, you can save yourself the trouble by turning on the router’s firewall early on.
Even if you have to do all the work again, it’s not too much when you compare it to the benefits of having a secure Wi-Fi connection.
Put Your Router in the Middle of the House
An easy way to secure your Wi-Fi connection is to place your router somewhere in the middle of the house. This way you will receive maximum signal strength throughout your house instead of most signals just going out of the house. Less signal strength outside of your house will save your network from unwanted freeloaders.
