Hackers can exploit weak or unprotected Wi-Fi networks to steal your personal information, access your files, or even take control of your devices.
To prevent these attacks, you need to take some steps to secure your Wi-Fi network and protect your privacy. Here are ten tips to help you do that.
1. Change the default name and password of your router. The default name and password of your router are often easy to guess or find online, which makes it easy for hackers to access your router settings and change them.
You should change them to something unique and hard to crack, using a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. You should also avoid using any personal information, such as your name, address, or birthday, as part of your router name or password.
2. Enable encryption on your Wi-Fi network. Encryption is a method of scrambling the data that is sent and received over your Wi-Fi network, so that only authorized devices can read it. Encryption prevents hackers from intercepting or tampering with your data, such as your passwords, emails, or credit card numbers. You should enable the highest level of encryption available on your router, which is usually WPA2 or WPA3.
3. Use a strong and unique password for your Wi-Fi network. A strong and unique password for your Wi-Fi network is another layer of protection against hackers who try to guess or crack it. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A unique password means that you should not use the same password for your Wi-Fi network as you do for other accounts or services.
4. Turn off Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). WPS is a feature that allows you to connect devices to your Wi-Fi network by pressing a button on your router or entering a PIN code. However, WPS can also be exploited by hackers who can use brute force attacks to guess the PIN code or bypass the button. To prevent this, you should turn off WPS on your router settings and use the manual method of entering the password to connect devices.
5. Disable remote access to your router. Remote access is a feature that allows you to access and manage your router settings from anywhere using a web browser or an app. However, remote access can also expose your router to hackers who can try to access it from outside your network. To prevent this, you should disable remote access on your router settings and only access it from devices that are connected to your Wi-Fi network.
6. Update your router firmware regularly. Firmware is the software that runs on your router and controls its functions and features. Firmware updates can fix bugs, improve performance, and add new security features to your router. However, outdated firmware can also leave your router vulnerable to hackers who can exploit known flaws or weaknesses in it. To prevent this, you should check for firmware updates regularly on your router settings and install them as soon as they are available.
7. Create a guest network for visitors. A guest network is a separate Wi-Fi network that you can create for visitors who want to use your internet connection. A guest network has its own name and password and does not allow access to your main network or devices. This way, you can prevent visitors from accessing or infecting your network or devices with malware or viruses. You can also limit the bandwidth or time of use of the guest network to prevent abuse.
8. Use a firewall on your router and devices. A firewall is a software or hardware device that monitors and filters the incoming and outgoing traffic on your network or device. A firewall can block unauthorized or suspicious connections or requests from hackers or malware. You should use a firewall on both your router and devices to provide an extra layer of security for your Wi-Fi network.
9. Use antivirus software on your devices. Antivirus software is a program that scans and removes viruses, malware, spyware, and other threats from your devices. Antivirus software can also prevent these threats from infecting your devices in the first place by detecting and blocking malicious downloads, attachments, or links. You should use antivirus software on all the devices that connect to your Wi-Fi network and update it regularly.
10. Be careful when using public Wi-Fi networks. Public Wi-Fi networks are those that are available in places like cafes, hotels, airports, or libraries.
Public Wi-Fi networks can be convenient, but they can also be risky if they are not secure or trustworthy.
Hackers can set up fake or rogue public Wi-Fi networks to trick you into connecting to them and then steal your data or infect your device with malware. To avoid this, you should only connect to public Wi-Fi networks that you trust and verify their name and password with the staff or owner of the place.
You should also avoid entering or sending any sensitive information, such as your passwords, bank details, or credit card numbers, over public Wi-Fi networks.
You can also use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your data and hide your online activity when using public Wi-Fi networks.