10 Simple Steps to Secure Your Wi-Fi at Home

A secure home network will help reduce the risk of getting hacked and having someone access your sensitive information. Not only that, but it will also keep away unwanted or unauthorized users and devices that would slow down your connection or freeload on the internet service you pay for.

the Wi-Fi router settings can be configured since the normal settings may provide the holes needed for hackers to exploit the network. So, as a defense strategy, the Wi-fi router settings will include the turning on the firewall which will ensure that the unwanted network traffic does not affect a person’s home network. The remote administration which helps the network owner to have the advantage of configuring settings in a distance will create an opportunity for hackers do the same without the knowledge of the network owner.

It is simple to create and maintain a secure home Wi-Fi network. Following are the 10 steps for securing your network. Some are more effective than others at keeping hackers and freeloaders at bay, but all are useful in their own way.

Keep in mind that nothing can guarantee absolute security from hacking attempts, but these steps will make it harder for anyone to compromise your network and data.

1. Place your router in a central location.
2. Create a strong Wi-Fi password and change it often.
3. Change the default router login credentials.
4. Turn on firewall and Wi-Fi encryption.
5. Create a guest network.
6. Use a VPN.
7. Keep your router and devices up to date.
8. Disable remote router access.
9. Verify connected devices.
10. Upgrade to a WPA3 router.

1. Place your router in a central location

Strong network security starts with a smart setup. If possible, for you, place your router at the center of your home. Routers send wireless signals in all directions, so strategically placing your router in a central location will help keep your connection to the confines of your home. As a bonus, it will likely also make for the best connection quality.

For example, if you have internet in an apartment where neighbors are immediately to the left and right of you, placing your router next to a shared wall could send a strong, and tempting, signal their way. Even if you aren’t in an apartment, a good router can cast signals next door or across the street. Placing your router in a central location will help reduce how far those signals travel outside your home.

2. Create a strong Wi-Fi password and change it often

Creating a unique password for your Wi-Fi network is essential to maintaining a secure connection. Avoid easily guessed passwords or phrases, such as someone’s name, birthdays, phone numbers or other common information. While simple Wi-Fi passwords make them easy to remember, they also make it easy for others to figure them out.

Make sure to change your password every six months or whenever you think your network security may have been compromised.

3. Change the default router login credentials

While applying the new router or existing router, you will get assigned default router login credentials. Along the same lines of password-protecting your Wi-Fi network, so you’ll also want to keep anyone from being able to directly access your router settings. Go ahead and change your router’s admin name and password.

You can log in to your router settings by typing its IP address into the URL bar, but most routers and providers have an app that lets you access the same settings and information.

Your router login credentials are separate from your Wi-Fi network name and password. If you aren’t sure what the default is, you should be able to find it on the bottom of the router.

4. Turn on the firewall and Wi-Fi encryption

Enabling the firewall and Wi-Fi encryption are important steps to secure your home Wi-Fi network. Here are the steps how you can turn them on:

Turn on the firewall: A firewall is a security feature that helps to block unauthorized access to your network. Most routers come with a built-in firewall that can be turned on in the router’s settings. To enable the firewall, log in to your router’s admin panel, and navigate to the firewall or security settings. Then, enable the firewall and customize the settings as per your preference.

Enable Wi-Fi encryption: Wi-Fi encryption is a security feature that helps to encrypt your network traffic and prevent unauthorized access. The most common encryption protocols are WPA and WPA2. To enable encryption, log in to your router’s admin panel and navigate to the wireless security settings. Then, select the WPA2 encryption protocol and set a strong and unique password.

By turning on the firewall and Wi-Fi encryption, you can significantly improve the security of your home Wi-Fi network and protect your personal information from unauthorized access.

5. Create a guest Wi-Fi network

Creating a guest Wi-Fi network is a good security practice to keep your primary network separate from your guests’ devices. Here’s how you can create a guest Wi-Fi network:

• Log in to your router’s admin panel: Open your web browser and enter your router’s IP address to access the admin panel. The default IP address is usually mentioned in the user manual or on the bottom of the router.
• Navigate to the wireless settings: Once you’ve logged in to the admin panel, navigate to the wireless settings section.
• Enable guest network: Most modern routers have a separate option to enable the guest network. You can usually find it under the wireless settings. Once you enable the guest network, you can customize its settings, such as the network name (SSID), password, and security options.
• Configure guest network settings: It’s recommended to use a different network name (SSID) and password for the guest network than your primary network. You can also enable encryption and set up other security options to ensure that the guest network is secure.
• Save changes: Once you’ve configured the guest network settings, save the changes and exit the admin panel.

By creating a guest Wi-Fi network, you can provide internet access to your guests without compromising the security of your primary network.

6. Use a VPN

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an effective way to enhance the security and privacy of your internet connection, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks.

There are several VPN services available, both free and paid. Choose a reputable VPN service that offers strong encryption, no-logging policy, and fast connection speeds.
Install the VPN software, connect to a VPN server, and use the internet as usual.

By using a VPN, you can protect your internet connection from hackers, snoopers, and other third-party entities.

7. Keep your router and devices up to date

Keeping your router and connected devices current with the latest updates which will help to ensure you have the best protection against known malware and hacking attempts. Set your router to automatically update in the admin settings, if possible, and periodically check to make sure your router is up to date.

8. Disable remote router access

Remote router access allows anyone not directly connected to your Wi-Fi network to access the router settings. Unless you need to access your router while away from home.

You can disable remote access under the router’s admin settings. Unlike other security measures, disabled remote router access may not be the default.

9. Verify connected devices

Frequently inspect those devices connected to your network and verify that you know what they are. If anything on there looks suspicious, disconnect it and change your Wi-Fi password. After changing your password, you’ll have to reconnect all your previously connected devices, but any users or devices that are not authorized to use your network will get the boot.

10. Upgrade to a WPA3 router

WPA3 is the latest security protocol for routers. All new routers should be equipped with WPA3, so if you buy a new router, you should have nothing to worry about.

Here are some of the benefits of upgrading to a WPA3 route.

• Enhanced Security: WPA3 uses a stronger encryption algorithm than WPA2, which makes it harder for hackers to break into your network. WPA3 also introduces new security features like Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) which makes it more difficult for attackers to perform offline attacks.
• Improved Password Strength: WPA3 also introduces a new feature called Wi-Fi Easy Connect, which simplifies the process of connecting devices to a network while also improving password strength. With this feature, users can connect their devices to the network by simply scanning a QR code or tapping an NFC tag, eliminating the need for complex passwords.
• Better IoT Support: WPA3 also offers improved support for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. With WPA3, IoT devices can be securely connected to the network without the need for complex passwords.
• Backward Compatibility: While WPA3 is the latest security protocol for wireless networks, it is also backward compatible with WPA2 devices. This means that devices that only support WPA2 can still connect to a network with a WPA3 router.