How to Secure Your Home Network?

In today's interconnected world, a home network serves as the foundation for our digital existence. A home network is a collection of digital gadgets that connect to the internet and one another.

Vulnerable networks can be used by hackers to commit a variety of cybercrimes, including installing malware, stealing data and identities, and building botnets. A secure home network allows?your gadgets to?communicate effectively while providing?robust protection against potential cyberattacks.

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Steps to Secure Your Home Network

1. Change Default Login Credentials

Hackers often target the default usernames and passwords of routers. Your network’s name is known as an SSID (Service Set Identifier). Routers broadcast SSIDs so that nearby?devices can detect accessible networks.

Typically, manufacturers create default SSIDs by combining a company name with random numbers and letters. It’s a good idea to change your SSID credentials to unique, strong combinations that are hard to guess. This simple?procedure can prevent unauthorized access.

2. Strengthen Passwords for your router

Wireless routers typically come pre-set with default passwords. Hackers can guess these, particularly if they know the router's manufacturer. Therefore, one way to improve home router security is to change your password as soon as you can. You can usually do this by connecting to the router’s management interface through your browser.

Secure your device accounts with strong, unique passwords. Make use of a combination of numbers, symbols, and upper- and lowercase letters. Consider utilizing a trustworthy password manager to keep track of your credentials safely.

3. Strengthen your Wi-Fri encryption

A crucial component of any Wi-Fi-protected setup is encryption. The encryption option included in the majority of wireless routers is typically disabled by default. Turning on your home router’s encryption setting can help secure your network.

There are 4 types of Wi-Fi protection systems commonly used to secure transmissions.

• Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
• Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
• Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA 2)
• Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA 3)

Enable WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) encryption on your router. This cutting-edge encryption standard guarantees the security and privacy of data transferred between devices and the router. The older versions of WPA and WEP are vulnerable to brute force attacks.

If your router gives you the option, consider creating a guest wireless network, also using WPA 2 or WPA 3, and protected with a strong password. Use this guest network for visitors. A guest network helps to enhance home network security.

4. Use a VPN for additional network security

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are mainly used to encrypt your internet connection, ensuring that your online activities remain private. Use a reputable VPN service when accessing the internet, so even if the encryption provided by the router is compromised, you still have the VPN encryption to make your data unreadable.

A VPN can assist users looking for ways to secure their IP address. A VPN changes your IP address, making it appear that you are using your device from a different location than your home address. Devices such as PCs, laptops, phones, and tablets can all use VPNs.

5. Use a firewall to protect the devices on your network

A home firewall protects the gadgets connected to your network from cyber intruders. They effectively serve as a one-way digital barrier, preventing internet-connected devices from accessing your network while enabling networked devices to connect to internet-connected devices.

Most routers come with built-in firewalls that monitor incoming and outgoing traffic. Activate your router’s firewall to add an extra layer of protection against malicious activities.

6. Secure IoT Devices

The term "Internet of Things" (IoT) refers to physical devices that don't include computers, phones, or servers connected to the Internet and can gather and share data. Wearable fitness trackers, smart refrigerators, smart watches, and voice assistants like Google Home and Amazon Echo are a few examples of Internet of Things products.

IoT gadgets may provide hackers with easy access points. On these devices, alter the default password and make sure the firmware is up to date.

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7. Disable Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)

UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is a standard that allows devices to open a port to the internet to communicate outside your network. It considers that any program running on your device that requests such a connection has a legitimate reason.

Unless you're willing to let anonymous hackers do anything they want with your devices, disable UPnP immediately.