Steps to Maximize your Wireless Network Security.We emphasized so many times we are living in an interconnected world and it is a fact we take for granted. This increasing level of connectivity between us and our devices implies not only a greater degree of physical mobility for us, but also the possibility to access the Internet in most places in the world.
It is a fact that more user-friendly technology applications increase the chances of more missutilization. Its best example is the Wi-Fi connection it is totally made easy for its users to use in computer, portable media player, mobiles, video games along many other wireless devices which you want to use without cables. This modern world’s trendy applications made lots of things easy from the traditional networking services. But as you get easy access hacking also becomes more easy for bad guys.
Hacking chances even increase more when you want to share your Wi-Fi access with your friends for long. Young generation will love to use Google TV dongle for watching YouTube videos with friends by logging in the same network instead of using YouTube’s iOS and Android apps to bring clips together and collect them for TV screen.
Though some developers have find out few clever apps to share password with secured strategies but nothing seems as effective as to stop hackers or abandon them completely. what we really require is a different Wi-Fi security approach. Instead of strengthening security reasons more hacking tools and software are increasing day by day.
Here is a good news that we can secure our home network. The secure strategy will not only prevent others from stealing your internet but also control hackers to computers through wireless network. There are some simple steps that can help you to secure your wireless network easily.
1.OPEN ROUTER SETTING PAGE:
Access your wireless router’s settings and enter the correct user name and password for the router Or else you can find manuals from Google for most routers online.
2.DIFFERENT PASSWORD FOR ROUTER:
To secure your Wi-Fi network you need to change your default router’s password to achieve more security. So that others can’t easily access the router. Change your password from admin settings on your router’s setting page.
3.CHANGE NETWORK’S SSID:
SSID or wireless network name of your wireless router is always pre-defined so it can be a weak point for security point of view. Never use your name, personal information, home address for SSID name. Most of the time hackers use scanning tools which are available freely to find all available wireless networks in an area. When you set your SSID name then you can connect with the correct wireless network even if there are multiple wireless networks in your area.
4.ENABLE NETWORK ENCRYPTION:
Encrypt your wireless signals to avoid your area computers from using your internet connection. Among several encryption strategies, WEP, WPA (WPA-Personal), and WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2) are most known methods.
If you want your wireless network to be enabled by an encryption, then open the wireless security settings on your router’s configuration page. It will help you to select which security method you want to select, For older devices, choose WEP, otherwise go with WPA2. Enter a security phrase to access the network by setting difficult procedure. Set complex pass phrase by combining letters, numbers, and special characters.
5.ENABLE MAC ADDRESS:
All wireless devices have unique MAC adresss just as computers have internet access with specific IP address. You need to filter your MAC addresses to avoid spoofing. For MAC fliteration prepare a list of all hardware devices to connect with your wireless network. Go to administrative settings to find your MAC addresses by opening command prompt and typing in “ipconfig /all”, which will show your MAC address near the name “Physical Address”.
6.REDUCE WIRELESS SIGNAL:
If you have a small living place then don’t go for high range wireless router. So change mode of your router to 802, 11g instead of 802.11n or 802.11b or else you can try different wireless channels. Place your router in a small box or wrap a foil around the router antennas to restrict signals directions. Even you can apply the anti Wi-Fi paint, which is developed by researchers to block accessing of your home network without setting up encryption of router level.
7.UPGRADE ROUTER’S FIRMWARE:
Check manufacture’s site to ensure whether your router is running with latest firmware or not. You can find the version through router’s dashboard at 192.168.*.
8.SECURE WIRELESS NETWORK CONNECTION:
After filtering your MAC address you can add new settings to your computer or to any other wireless devices to be in touch with Wi-Fi network. By selecting the automatic connection option in your computer, you can protect your SSID entrance and every useful information during every time internet connection.
9.TURN OFF NETWORK DURING NON USE PERIOD:
Turn off your router when you are not using your computer for longer period. It not only save you from wireless piggy backers but also save your electricity.
10.WISE USE OF MAC ADDRESS:
When you are using any new device to connect with your network, there you need to find MAC address and add it to your router. But if you want to let a friend connect to your wireless network one time, its better to remove your friend’s MAC address from the router settings when he or she leaves your place.
So with these steps you can secure your Wi-Fi network and also can enjoy your as usual YouTube party with group of friends without any fear.
11. Choose a strong password for your network administrator
To set up your wireless router, usually you need to access an online platform or web page, where you can make modifications to your network settings.
As everybody knows, it is something normal to find a router with default credentials such as “admin” and “password”. And these default login credentials are not so difficult to break by a hacker.
Most changes we do on an online platform are things like setting a strong password for the wireless network or changing the network’s name, both changes being made to ensure a greater level of protection from online criminals’ malicious actions.
12.Disable Remote Access
Normally, you can access your router’s interface from a device connected to your network, but some routers allow access even from remote systems. To stop online hackers access to your router’s private settings, it is safe to disable this option in your router’s settings.
To make this change, access the web interface and search for “Remote access” or “Remote Administration“.
13. Keep your router’s software up-to-date
Consider your router’s software like any other software you have on your operating system. It may be your antivirus program or any other application running on the system. The router’s firmware, like any other software, contains flaws which can become major vulnerabilities, unless they are quickly fixed by firmware releases from the manufacturer.
The problem is that most routers don’t have the option to install the latest security updates and from time to time you need to check the official website for security fixes.
We must not forget that some of the worst security breaches came from security holes in unpatched programs and operating systems.
14. Make sure you have a good firewall
Some routers have their own firewalls that can help block hackers from accessing your computer.
In case your router doesn’t have such a firewall, make sure you install a good firewall solution on your system to watch for malicious access attempts to your wireless network.
These days, most people use the firewall solution provided by their operating systems, which is a good option. In case you are using a security software that contains a firewall, it is a good option to turn it on.
15. Protect the devices that connect most frequently to your wireless network
Don’t leave any door open for online criminals!
Though you may have secured your router and your wireless network, you need to make sure you are not leaving any security breach that can be exploited by IT criminals. Therefore, follow some general and common sense guidelines to stay away from online dangers, like having the latest software availableinstalled on the system and the latest security patches downloaded to ensure no security hole or breach is left open to online predators.
Even more, check what devices connect mostly to your home network and make sure they have security software installed against the viruses and spyware.
And finally, use a specialized security software to protect your devices from financial and data stealing malware, cyber-criminals and malicious hacker servers.
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