Wireless internet connection has become so convenient for everyone these days. We barely see a home without Wi-Fi. It makes it easy for everyone to use phones, laptops, tablets without giving a thought to internet consumption and bandwidth. However, everything comes with a pack of goods and bads, such as wi-fi. There are many ways hackers can tweak your wireless network if you do not know how to protect your router from hackers.
Wi-Fi Security Tips
1) Secure Your Wi-Fi With A Unique Password
When you install a wireless connection in your home, the very first and the basic thing you should do is to change the default username and create a unique password. Maximum hacking attempts get successful just because people do not pay attention to the consequences of an unsecured wi-fi connection.
Hackers have multiple software to check various possible password combinations so it is essential to create a unique yet strong password. It should be at least 8 characters including symbols, numerics and alphabets to make it hard for hackers to crack your wi-fi password.
2) Turn On Your Network Encryption
Scrambling the data or the message content to make it difficult for hackers to decode is what encryption is. Encrypting the data is one of the effective ways to secure your network’s data.
You can do it by enabling WPA2 encryption.
Steps To Enable WPA2 Encryption:
– Log in to the router’s administrator console by accessing the router’s IP address.
– Find wireless security/ wireless network.
– Change the encryption option to WPA2-PSK
– Create a strong and unique password (as suggested in point 1). Save and Apply.
If your router is older than 10 years, you must get it changed as it may not have the option to enable WPA2 and it is more prone to get hacked.
3) Add MAC Addresses To Your Wi-Fi
Every phone, tablet and laptop device has a unique MAC address. It gives an additional layer of protection to your network data. You can add your connected devices’ MAC address in your wi-fi settings. It allows only specific devices to connect to your wi-fi network.
Hackers will not be able to access your wireless connection if only MAC addresses are allowed to connect, until and unless they have your MAC addresses.
You can find the MAC address for your pc or laptop by running the command “ipconfig/all.” The MAC address will be beside the name “Physical Address.” For phones and tablets, go to the network settings.
4) Reduce The Range Of Your Wi-Fi Connection
Hackers do not wear a uniform. So beware of the range of your wireless network. Adjust your network range as per the requirement. If you exceed it more than required, unknown people may try to connect to it. It increases the chances of your wi-fi connection getting hacked.
How To Reduce The Range Of Wi-Fi?
Step 1: Open wireless connection login page through IP address
Step 2: Log in with your username and password
Step 3: Go to the Advanced Settings and reduce the specified range of the wi-fi.
(i) Update Your Router’s Firmware
To stay assured that your security features are up to date, it is important to update your router’s firmware on a regular basis. Moreover, you can check whether your network provider is using the updated firmware through the router’s dashboard.
Steps To Update Router’s Firmware
Step 1: Connect your wireless with the computer via ethernet cable
Step 2: Download the updated version of firmware from the internet provider’s or manufacturer’s website.
Step 3: Log in to the router’s web management page
Step 4: Select the downloaded firmware to update
Step 5: Restart your router to successfully finish the update
**These steps may vary from brand to brand**
(ii) Use A Virtual Private Network
“How someone will steal when it is not visible.” VPN works on these words. You can use VPN to communicate on an unsecured, unencrypted network, but in privately.
A hacker can not access your browsing history and confidential data as a VPN encrypts everything. It gives army-level security to your network which is hard to break.
VPN modifies your IP address and shows it in some other location than your home which may confuse the hacker. Moreover, you can use it on any device, be it a phone, laptop or pc.
(iii) Hide Your Network
The same logic which we applied in the case of VPN, will be applied here. Hide your network so that your wireless will not be visible in the available connections list.
Therefore, hackers will not be able to locate your network and your wi-fi, its networks and the devices will remain safe. Also, you will be able to escape from nosy neighbours who keep asking for passwords.
How To Hide Your Network From The List?
- Connect your device with the wireless through ethernet cable
- Open internet browser
- Click on Advanced>Wi-Fi> Wi-Fi Security Settings> Click next to SSID
- Check in the “Hide Wi-FI” option and Save.
In The End
Wi-fi security is an unavoidable concern. You must stay extra careful of this matter as cybercrimes are on the rising side. Moreover, in the house, there are kids and senior citizens who may not be aware of how to secure a wireless network. So you must pay attention to these wi-fi security tips. If in case, your wireless connection gets hacked. Call the service provider as soon as possible and seek the solution.