The given below tested tips will assist you in improving the safety of your home Wi-Fi network. The more precise details concerning how to really implement the given steps will depend upon the sort of your wireless router but yes,these aren’t difficult ones and can be simply found in your wireless router manual. Here are the tips:
1. Change Wireless Network Devices Default Usernames and Passwords
An Access Point Or, A Router, a core device in a wireless home network has factory default usernames and passwords which are straightforward and known to hackers. Hence change their login usernames and passwords that are used to configure and store the settings and so on. Keep complicated usernames and passwords and keep their records private.
2. Turn On Encryption That’s Compatible
All Wi-Fi devices support some kind of encryption. Encryption technology scrambles messages sent over wireless networks in order that they can’t be simply read by humans. Use the most powerful encryption available for your Wi-Fi network, i.e., WEP, WPA, WPA2, and so on.
3. Change the Default SSID
Access points and routers all utilise a network name called the SSID – Service Set Identifier which is set same by the wireless device makers.
While SSID does not permit the hackers to make an entry into your home wireless net nevertheless it gives them a fair clue that you’re not serious about the safety of your home Wi-Fi network. Hackers interest after seeing the default factory SSID set by the maker still there on your home wireless network, make your network a likely less complicated target for getting attacked.
Hence you must change the default SSID when configuring your wireless network.
4. Disable SSID Broadcast
In Wi-Fi networking, the wireless access point or router usually broadcasts or sends the network name (SSID ) over the air at frequent intervals by default. This feature is unnecessary, and it increases the possibility that somebody will try and sign in to your home Wi-Fi network. Hence disable SSID broadcast.
5. Never Auto-Connect to Open Wi-Fi Networks
Connecting to an open Wi-Fi network like a free wireless hotspot or your neighbor’s wireless router exposes your PC to security hazards. Though not routinely enabled, most PC’s have a setting available that permit these wireless connections to occur immediately without notifying you. This setting should be disabled except when required in some of the temporary circumstances.
6. Enable MAC Address Filtering
MAC stands for Media Access Control, a unique identifier allotted to network interfaces for communications on the physical network segment. Every piece of Wi-Fi gear has a physical address or MAC address that is unique to it.
Access points and routers keep an eye on the MAC addresses of all devices that connect to them. You must physically configure your Wi-Fi network to only permit devices on your network by manually entering their MAC addresses.
7. Manually Assign Static (Non Dynamic) IP (Internet Protocol) Addresses to Wireless Devices
Most home wireless net users have a tendency to use dynamic IP addresses as there is not lots of the work involved; they’re allotted IP’s instantly without any intervention. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) technology is unquestionably simple to set up. However this convenience is indeed an advantage to network attackers, who can simply know correct and working IP addresses from your network’s DHCP pool (range of IP’s).
Therefore turn off DHCP on the router or access point and set a fixed IP range as an alternative and then configure each connected device to match the given IP pool.
8. Enable Firewall On Each PC and the Router Too
Modern network routers contain in-built firewall capacity and the choice to disable them is also present. Make sure your router’s firewall is set to ON. For additional amount of security on your home Wi-Fi network, install and enable private firewall software on each PC hooked up to the router. Make certain to go thru the Firewall settings to be sure that only the required programs have outgoing access.
Be wary and keep a watch on the Firewall logs too.
9. Position the Router or Access Point At the Middle of Your Home to Extend Safety
Wi-Fi signals usually reach outside a home. A bit of wireless signal seepage outside is not an issue, but the larger this wireless signal reaches, the easier it is for others to recognize it and attack your home wireless net. Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) signals sometimes go to the bordering homes and into streets. Hence when you’re installing your wireless home network or getting it installed, keep this under consideration that the position of the access point or router defines its reach. They should not be at periphery of your home.
Make certain to position these wireless network devices near the centre of the home instead of near windows to reduce the signal seepage.
10. Switch Off the Home Wireless Network During Extended Times of Non-Use
The top safety measure, generally ignored, in wireless security features, is to close your Wi-Fi network when it’s not used for a considerable time (night time when you’re asleep). This wireless network safety tip will definitely stop outside hackers from breaking in to your home wireless network. While it isn’t practical and possible to switch OFF and ON all the wireless devices often, at least turn them off during travel or extended periods when the Wi-Fi network is offline.
Wear and tear is not a concern for wireless devices as they’re pure electronics devices, so switching them ON and OFF multiple times is not a problem and is not going to result in any breakdown.
I’m sure that these ten tips will definitely help you in making your home wireless network security extremely stronger.