We are all connected to the WiFi, whether at home, en route, or at a shopping center. This puts us in a vulnerable position for phishing attacks, as hackers and intruders are always looking for weak links in our network. There are always greater chances of our WiFi routers getting hacked.
It is important to take precautions to prevent strangers from entering your WiFi network. It is good to be vigilant about networks hacked by ill-intentioned people.
Below, we have discussed seven ways to secure your WiFi connection. Let’s look at them one by one: forward secrecy and phishing attacks.
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Can you be hacked through your home Wi-Fi?
Hacking through home wifi is a reality, but it is preventable. What should you do if your home network is hacked? And what can hackers steal over Wi-Fi?
You would be surprised to find out the lengths hackers go to to obtain personal data. Because our personal computers, laptops, and mobile phones are connected to the internet, they contain our entire information. That is why having a secure system around your WiFi network has become a necessity.
Strong WiFi password
People always wonder, Can someone use my wifi from far away? Or can someone steal my data through wifi?
Your wifi connection is insecure if you have an easy string of numbers as a password. Because a common string of numbers like 000000 is very predictable. We are afraid of forgetting our passwords, and that puts us on the spot. This way, we give hackers an easy way to enter our network.
Having a strong and long password will go a long way toward protecting your data. Even if it may be difficult to remember.
VPN
A virtual private network, or VPN, is a surefire way to secure your WiFi network. It is very easy to install a VeePN on a router. Configuring your router to use a VPN will create a tunnel, and all of your data will flow through it. VeePN will make your connection indecipherable for hackers, ensuring complete protection.
A VPN will also secure your data footprint and leave hackers grappling in the dark. VPN offers a free trial as well as a paid version.
Make Use of the firewall
Using a firewall to its full potential is also important for your network’s security. You can easily check your firewall settings on your console. Turn it on if it is turned off. Firewalls use NAT systems that allow users to allocate unique addresses in their network, which are only known to your router. And the router connects with the outside world.
Another unfair advantage of a firewall is that it blocks outsiders from deciphering the networks allocated on the router, which makes a firewall beneficial to ward off any suspicious activity.
MAC Filter
Make it a habit to add every new home device to a MAC filter. That way, only known devices will be capable of connecting to your router. The MAC filter is a very useful feature, and you can easily set it up even with your smartphone.
Your MAC address is available on your phone; copy-paste it into the MAC filter, and voila! You are protected No stranger can connect to your WiFi network without your permission.
Don’t Connect to Open Networks
However much you want to check the Facebook status update of your friend, never connect your phone or laptop to open networks. These networks are crawling with hackers, and you instantly become their target.
Always keep your phone’s wifi turned off when you are out, or use your cellular network if you need to.
Turn off WPS
A WPS-pixie attack is very common, especially if you are connected to an open or unknown network.WiFi Protected Setup, or WPS, enables you to access the internet by pushing a button on the router. It allows the user to bypass entering login details and connect to the internet directly.
Turn off your WPS on your electronic devices at all times, as hackers will be able to retrieve your password, however strong and long it is, in no time.
Unplug Universal Plug-n-Play
Universal Plug n’ Play (UPnP) is essential for IoT devices. This is what keeps them connected and sharing data. Hacking through IoT devices has increasingly become a headache because network security has become weak and vulnerable. Unplug any UPnP you have at home and create a separate wifi network for IoT devices.
Conclusion
Apart from the above-mentioned precautions, there are several other ways to protect your data. For example, you can set up a separate account for IoT devices to avoid data breaches through the main router. Also, you can set up a guest account if you get many visitors. Always remember to turn off your wifi router when you are going to sleep or going on vacation. Setting up a VPN on the router is also highly recommended.
