Securing your home network
Cyber crimes? Not in my home!
Now that working from home is the new norm, have you taken the time to secure your employees’ home network as you would the office network? In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find tips to help secure your home Wi-Fi from cybercrimes.
Securing your private Wi-Fi
Many devices such as your computer, voice assistants, TVs, gaming consoles and even smart refrigerators are on your home Wi-Fi network. It’s important to ensure that your network is secure so none of your information is at risk.
5 tips for securing your home network
1. Update your router name
Routers come with a SSID (Service Set ID), which is the technical name for your Wi-Fi network. If you were to keep the given SSID provided by your service provider, it makes it easy for a hacker to breach your network. This is because the information is traceable to the make and model of the Wi-Fi router, giving someone a better chance of finding a way into your network.
2. Change router and Wi-Fi passwords
When you first receive your router, there will be present passwords for the router itself (admin password) and for the Wi-Fi. These passwords are often written down on a card or even directly on the router. This is an easy way for someone to get into your network. It’s important to change both the router admin password and the Wi-Fi network password.
Changing the router admin password: This password allows you to make all setting changes for your home network. Changing this password is important because if someone were to get into your network, they have access to your Wi-Fi password.
Changing the Wi-Fi password: This password is used to connect all of your devices to your network. Be sure to choose a password that is unique to you and easy to remember but hard to guess.
You can find instructions on how to change your passwords by searching “how to change [your router manufacturer] admin or Wi-Fi network password”.
3. Encrypt your network
When you encrypt your network, it makes it harder for hackers to see what you are doing or any of the personal information you have. To encrypt your network, you need to update your router settings to WPA3 Personal (newest and best encryption) or WPA2 Personal. Both of these settings will scramble your information and help add a layer of security to your home Wi-Fi network.
If your router is older or does not have the WPA2 or WPA3 settings:
Older routers have WPA and WEP, but those are insecure and outdated. Try to update your router software and see if WPA2 or WPA3 becomes available. If not, you may need to upgrade your router to better secure your network.
4. Turn off “Remote Management,” WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) and UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)
These features, although convenient, are not helping to secure your network.
Remote management allows you to make network changes over the internet.
WPS allows you to press a button on your router and connect a device to your network without having to put in a password.
UPnP lets devices on your network find and connect to one another.
5. Set up a guest network
Setting up a guest network allows you to connect your guests to Wi-Fi while keeping your primary network safe and secure. This is a good security measure for two reasons:
Having a different login means fewer people have access to your primary Wi-Fi
If your guest were to have malware (malicious software designed to cause harm to a computer or computer user) on their device, this would prevent that from getting onto your network.
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