7 quick and easy tips to create a secure home network!
Do you have a secure home network when using WI-FI?
In other words, can your wireless network access the Internet without worrying about hackers, viruses, and wireless signal thieves? Having a secure home network takes more effort and education than simply buying a wireless router, plugging it in, logging on to the internet, and browsing while praying no one hacks into it. What many users don’t realize when setting up a home network is that when you buy a router and set a password, your network is NOT secure by default.
When your Internet service provider (Verizon, AT&T, etc.) sends you a broadband modem that allows you to connect other computers to the Internet wirelessly (Wi-Fi), chances are you won’t be safe unless someone installs your Internet modem and set up security. “characteristics.”
In the new era of “social networking,” it’s important to be aware of the Internet threats that lurk and how to protect your personal information and data from thieves by creating a secure home network. Did you know that there are tools and software that allow someone to find your wireless home network, connect to it, “crack” your encryption key (password), and STEAL whatever they want from your computer (including credit card numbers, personal records, etc.) financial information, passwords, images, other confidential information, etc.)!!!
Let’s take a look at how you can create a secure home network and feel safe, “safely” surfing the Internet.
1.) On your broadband (wireless) modem or wireless router, change the default name and password used to access the router’s admin panel (used to change any router/modem settings).
Tip: The default name is usually set to “admin”, and the password is provided by the computer manufacturer in the documentation (or on disk).
2.) Always use encryption (password/key), for a truly secure home network.
WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) are the two most common types, with WPA being more difficult to “crack” than WEP; therefore, WPA is a better option for security.
Also, it is always best to create a completely new and different password (key) at least every 30 days, to protect and secure your home network. The password must be difficult to “guess”; in other words, use a combination of symbols, alphanumeric characters, upper and lower case, and at least 8-14 characters total if possible.
Tip: An example of a strong password is: “1mypasswordx90544z” or how about: “tektime1$@%%p0rt”. These passwords are more difficult to guess with password cracking software. (Don’t create “easy to remember” passwords, such as passwords made up of your name, your children’s names, your date of birth, your street name, etc.)
3.) Turn off your wireless router or broadband modem when you are not accessing your network.
For example, when you go to bed or when you are not at home, it is better to disable your Internet to act as a protective barrier for a secure home network. How can hackers, Trojans, etc. cause damage to your computer or Internet connection when it is not transmitting a signal? You’re right… they can’t!
4.) Disable Service Set Identifier broadcast on your modem/router.
Also known as “SSID”, this is the identification name given to the device by its manufacturer. For example, routers made by D-Link will have “Dlink” as the SSID, while routers made by Netgear will have “Netgear” as the SSID. Disabling your SSID prevents your wireless home network from showing up in the “available networks” list, when someone is scanning the area for wireless networks to connect to.
5.) Change your SSID name.
In addition to disabling your router’s SSID, it’s important to change your SSID name, even though it’s no longer showing thanks to the last step where we disabled it. Renaming your SSID won’t create a secure home network by itself, but it prevents hackers and snoops from instantly finding out which router you’re using. By knowing which router is being used, a hacker or thief is more prepared to wreak havoc on your home network, especially if you’re using the same default login, password, and admin information that the manufacturer created.
6.) A secure home network ALWAYS use a firewall!
Many firewalls that are built into routers (hardware firewalls) can cause various problems when accessing the Internet. It is best for beginners and newbies to use a software solution, until they learn the ins and outs of hardware firewalls and their limitations.
Firewalls are created to prevent software (such as Trojans) from connecting to the Internet without your authorization, thereby preventing the unwanted sharing of your data, personal, financial, and other sensitive information. Firewalls also prevent those outside your home network from accessing it without your permission.
Tip: A highly regarded software firewall solution is Comfortable Internet Security. Feel free to search for it in your favorite search engine. It is totally free (the basic version), extremely effective and easy to use (after a slight learning curve). I recommend it to all my clients, and Comodo doesn’t pay me to support them. It’s just an excellent program, try it for yourself!
7.) Reduce the range of your wireless signal.
A secure home network does not transmit an Internet signal outside the immediate vicinity of the users home. Why should you reduce the range of your wireless signal?
Imagine buying the “biggest and baddest” wireless router you can find at your neighborhood store; with a range of 1 mile! Wow, that’s a high range…you can use it anywhere in your house you choose without any signal loss! While that may be true, the truth is that you only need a signal range that allows the signal to be transmitted into your home, and not necessarily outside.
This will prevent Internet connection thieves (and hackers) from being able to receive the radio waves from your router or modem, making connecting to your signal virtually impossible for even the most experienced hacker.
Tip: One way to reduce signal range is to switch to 802.11g, from 802.11n, or even 802.11b. Check with the documentation included with your router by the manufacturer, for specific information.
Hopefully, these tips will help you create and maintain a secure home network, and you won’t have to deal with the nightmares that so many people experience when they fail to secure their wireless network.
Always remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Until next time,
Happy Computing!
Jarvis Edwards – TekTime IT Consulting & Computer Repair