What can you do to keep your Wi-Fi network secure?

We often assume that our homes are a safe place to connect to the internet, especially when connected to our home Wi-Fi network. But the truth is, even in the privacy of your own home, your data can still be compromised. With just a small slip, a hacker can easily take control of every connected device in your home, from your phone to your security camera, and steal important information like your bank account.

By securing your home network, you are protecting yourself from potential threats like having your personal information, bank account, or online activity tracked. At the same time, you are preventing strangers from using your network for illegal activities.

Securing your home network is no longer an option, it has become a necessity. With the current complex situation of data leakage, equipping yourself with network security knowledge and skills is extremely necessary.

You don’t have to be a tech expert to secure your home Wi-Fi network. With a few small changes to your settings and habits, you can greatly enhance the security of your network. Here are 10 simple ways anyone can protect their family’s personal data and devices.

1. Place the Wi-Fi router in a central location in the home

Router placement plays an important role in creating a secure and stable home network. Ideally, you should place your router in the center of your home, where it can provide Wi-Fi coverage throughout all rooms. Placing your router in a strategic location not only improves signal quality but also reduces dead spots (areas without Wi-Fi signal), thereby improving your internet experience.

Wi-Fi signals emitted from a router travel in all directions. When you place your router near a shared wall, some of the signal will pass through the wall and spread out. This not only reduces the signal strength in your home, but also allows devices in your neighbors' homes to connect to your network. To minimize this, place your router in a central location in your home, away from shared walls.

2. Create a strong Wi-Fi password and change it regularly

A strong password is the first and most important line of defense for your Wi-Fi network. A strong password, which includes a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, will make it much harder to crack. Taking the time to create a strong password will help protect your personal information and your devices from potential threats.

Additionally, changing your Wi-Fi password regularly is one of the most important security measures. You should change your password about every 6 months or as soon as you suspect that your account may have been compromised. Changing your password regularly will help reduce the risk of being used by a hacker to gain unauthorized access to your network.

3. Change default router login information

To increase the security of your Wi-Fi network, you should change both the router's administrative username and password. The default username and password for your router are usually printed on a sticker or provided in the user manual. Using the default username and password leaves your router vulnerable to attack. Replace them with strong, unique usernames and passwords.

The credentials to access your router's settings (admin username and password) are completely different from the Wi-Fi name and password you use to connect your devices to your network. Think of your router as a small computer that controls your entire network, and your admin credentials are the "password" to access that computer's "control panel."

4. Turn on firewall and Wi-Fi encryption

Most routers have a firewall to keep out outside hackers and Wi-Fi encryption to prevent anyone from eavesdropping on the data being sent between the router and your connected devices. Both are usually enabled by default, but you should check to make sure they’re enabled in your router’s settings.

Log into your router settings and check to make sure your firewall and Wi-Fi encryption are enabled. If they're disabled for some reason, turn them on.

5. Create a guest Wi-Fi network

Instead of sharing your main Wi-Fi password with guests, consider creating a separate guest network. While your guests may not always have malicious intent, their mobile devices or computers may be infected with malware. When connected to your main network, this malware can be used to attack other devices on the network, causing problems such as stealing data, slowing down your network, or even remotely controlling other devices.

Creating a private guest network is also ideal for your internet of things (IoT) devices, such as Wi-Fi cameras, thermostats, and smart speakers, which may not store as much sensitive information and are more vulnerable to attack than smart devices like computers or mobile phones.

6. Use a virtual private network

A virtual private network (VPN) is not only a network security tool but also a shield to protect your privacy. When using a VPN, your real IP address is hidden and replaced with the IP address of the VPN server. This helps prevent websites, internet service providers (ISPs), and third parties from tracking your online activities, thereby protecting your personal privacy.

VPNs are often thought of as an essential security tool when connecting to public networks, but their benefits extend far beyond that. Even when you’re on a private home network, a VPN provides an extra layer of protection, helping to increase the privacy and security of all your online activities.

7. Always keep your router and devices up to date

Regular software updates are one of the most effective ways to protect your devices. While the update process can be a nuisance, it is necessary to patch security holes that hackers can exploit to break into your system. Software developers are constantly releasing updates to fix these issues, so keeping your software up to date is extremely important.

Updating the software on your router and other network devices is an essential part of securing your home network. These updates often include important security patches that help prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities to infiltrate your system. Think of software updates as vaccinations for your computer, boosting its immunity to viruses and malware.

8. Disable remote router access

Remote access to your router is convenient when you need to manage your network from afar, but it also comes with serious security risks. If you don't need it, it's best to disable it. Keeping your router inaccessible from remote access is one of the most effective ways to protect your home network from outside attacks.

To fully protect your home network, proactively disable remote access on your router. This feature is often not disabled by default, so you will need to go into your router's settings yourself to do this.

9. Check connected devices

Checking the devices connected to your network is an important habit to keep your personal data safe. Regularly visit your router's administration page to view a list of connected devices. If you find an unfamiliar or unknown device, disconnect it immediately and change your Wi-Fi password to prevent intruders from accessing your network again.

Many IoT devices, especially lesser-known ones, often have very generic and non-distinctive default names, such as “SmartDevice123” or a random string of numbers and letters. This makes it difficult to determine whether the device belongs to you or not. If you spot any devices with such names in your list of connected devices, consider it suspicious and disconnect them immediately.

10. Use a router with the latest security protocol WPA3

WPA3 is the latest Wi-Fi security standard, providing a stronger layer of protection for your wireless network. All new routers are required to support WPA3, ensuring you get the best protection. However, if you are renting a router from your internet service provider, your device may not have been upgraded to WPA3. This means your network may still have security holes.

If your router was manufactured before 2018, it likely only supports WPA2 security. While WPA2 is still a good security standard, it is now obsolete compared to WPA3. To further secure your network, you should consider upgrading to a router that supports WPA3. You can search for information about your current router model to confirm the security standard, and contact your provider to see if they offer plans that include a new router.

In short, cybersecurity is a never-ending battle. Even if you have all the best security measures in place, there is always a risk of being hacked. Hackers are constantly looking for new vulnerabilities to exploit. However, by implementing the security measures mentioned above, you can significantly reduce the risk and effectively protect your home network.