How to Secure Your WiFi in 10 Steps?
Every day we hear stories of web fraud, hacked devices, malicious links and stolen identities. Most consumers think that all these issues only arise because of unsafe browsing or weak passwords.
Unexpectedly enough, the main point of cyber attacks is an unsecured WiFi connection, which is the biggest gateway that scammers and cybercriminals use.
When your WiFi network is not secured, anyone can show up nearby using your devices and monitor your activity, or even rob you of your privacy. Isn't that concerning?
The good news is, it just takes a few minutes to determine whether your WiFi network is safe or not. The following are some of the simplest ways to run and identify whether you use a secure WiFi network as well as simple steps that can be undertaken by anyone to enhance the security of their network.
1. Check Your WiFi Encryption
If you want to learn how to know if WiFi is secure, start here.
Your router should use:
- WPA2 or WPA3 = Strong & secure
- WPA = Older
- WEP = Unsecure (avoid)
When your WiFi is on WEP, the best you have is very low security in your wifi meaning that hackers can crack into your wifi within a few minutes. To have a really secure WiFi connection, switch to WPA2 or WPA3.
2. Update Router Login Details
Default router passwords are the biggest red flags for your WiFi security. In most cases, hackers know the password of every major router brand.
Make sure your:
- Admin username has been changed.
- The admin password is long and unique.
- The router settings page is secured.
- This maintains a high level of wifi security.
3. Change Your WiFi Name & Password
The default WiFI name can tell you what brand/model of router you are using. This information can be used by hackers to attack the known vulnerabilities.
In case you are asking yourself how to know whether your WIFI is safe, renaming your SSID is a very minimally invasive tool towards a safe WiFi network.
Avoid names that include your:
- Flat/house number
- Name
- Phone number
- Family name
4. Switch On Firewall Protection
A firewall monitors incoming and outgoing data into your network. To be certain whether your WiFi is secured or not, check the firewall first. Always ensure that it is not disabled unless recommended by your ISP. A strong firewall means a secure WiFi connection with protected traffic.
5. Disable Router Remote Access
Remote access allows any person to use your router even when they are not at home.
In case scammers gain access to this, they are able to:
- Change your settings
- Steal your data
- Take control of your WiFi network
You can secure your WiFi network by turning off your remote management feature, which provides you with a secure WiFi network immediately.
6. Set Up Guest Access
If friends or guests often use your WiFi, it is advised not to share your main password.
Guest WiFi can be turned on in order to provide a safer, separate environment to visitors and friends. It enhances your network security and it makes sure that your devices are secure.
7. Reduce WiFi Visibility
One method of ensuring that your WiFi is secure is to make sure that it is not visible to people. Then the SSID broadcast must be disabled and the Wifi name should remain available only to individuals with whom you share the Wifi name.
This assists in improving the safety of your wifi especially in apartments or crowded neighborhoods.
8. Control Access with MAC Filtering
Every device has a special MAC address. MAC filtering enables you to have full control of who has access to your network, ensuring a secure WiFi connection.
Although it is not a prerequisite, it is among the most effective means to secure a WiFi network against unauthorized access.
9. Protect Network from Public View
Hiding your network is the best thing to do because you do not want to be seen on the general list under WiFi networks. Most attempts to connect with the network are obstructed by a hidden name which provides an added security to your network.
10. Watch Out for Fake Network
There are instances where hackers can create a rogue WiFi network under a name similar to yours including:
- Hathway_WiFi
- Hathway_Home_5G
- Hathway_Guest
It is very simple to have your data intercepted in case you happen to connect. Thus you should double check your network name. In the case it looks as an imitation, your Wi-Fi may not be a secure one.
Quick Checklist: How to Know If Your WiFi Is Secure
Your WiFi is safe when:
- You either use WPA2 or WPA3.
- You have reset the password of the Router admin.
- You have a strong password.
- SSID doesn't reveal your personal info.
- You have enabled the Firewall.
- Guest network is enabled.
- No exotic gadgets are attached to your WiFi.
Your WiFi security may be compromised if any of these are not present.
Why WiFi Security Matters More Today?
As more and more scams have arisen in India, such as OTP request frauds, fake calls, scams involving remote access, and unsuspected link sharing, your home WiFi security should become the initial line of defense.
A strong, secure WiFi connection protects:
- Your banking apps
- Personal chats
- Smart home devices
- Work-from-home systems
- Family data
Hathway Broadband ensures the use of safe and high-speed internet along with modern routers, safe settings, and good connection to ensure that each and every home can have a secure WiFi connection without any problem. A secure WiFi connection is not a luxury today, but a necessity.
FAQs
Q: How do I know if my WiFi connection is secure?
To check whether your WiFi connection is secure, the first step will be to check whether your router is encrypted. Ensure that your network uses WPA2 or WPA3, and not WEP. Then, make sure to have a good password to your Wi-Fi, you have altered the default password to your router administration, and there must be no unidentified devices linked to it.
Q: How do I secure my WiFi network at home?
To ensure that your WiFi network is safe, you should change the SSID name, apply the WPA2/WPA3 encryption, have an activated firewall, disabled the remote access, and create another guest network.
Q: How often should I check if my WiFi connection is secure?
Always check your WiFi security every few months, or every time you switch devices, pass by the router or suspect something. The frequent scans can assist in the preservation of a secure WiFi connection and the elimination of unauthorized access.
Q: Is WPA2 or WPA3 better for WiFi security?
Comparing WPA3 with WPA2, the former is the most secure standard as of today and provides enhanced encryption and measures against contemporary cyber threats. If your router supports it, enable WPA3. Otherwise, the minimum requirement of a secure WiFi network is WPA2.
Q: Why is my WiFi still unsafe even after changing the password?
Your WiFi can be compromised even in cases where your router has an outdated encryption (e.g. WEP) in place, your router has remote access set on, or your router uses the default admin password. It is not enough to change your password to make everything safe, you have to secure the whole WiFi.
Q: How do I know if someone is connected to my WiFi without permission?
Open your router instructions and find the list of connected devices. There are chances that somebody is on your WiFi and you see names that are unfamiliar to you. This is a clear sign that your WiFi is not secure and you should immediately take actions to secure the WiFi network.
Q: Should I turn off my WiFi when I'm not at home?
Yes. Turning off your WiFi when not in use reduces the likelihood of hacking attempts or unwanted access. It's an easy method to improve the security of your home WiFi security.
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