Securing your network at home is the first step in creating a digitally safe environment for your entire family. You can safeguard your family’s personal data and online activities by implementing these measures.
Set a Strong Password for Your Router: Setting up a unique and strong password is the first step in protecting your network. Use a password that is difficult to guess and preferably consists of upper- and lowercase letter, number, and special character.
Update Router Firmware: Check for updates regularly provided by your router’s manufacturer. These firmware updates include security patches to address security vulnerabilities. Install these updates as soon as possible.
Enabling Network encryption: On your router, enable robust encryption protocols such as WPA2 and WPA3. The encryption ensures the security of your data and protects it from unauthorised access. It is particularly important to do this when connecting your devices via Wi-Fi.
Change Default Routing Settings: Modify your router’s default settings, including its default password and username. If you leave the defaults in place, hackers will have an easier time accessing your network. Select a username/password combination that cannot be easily guessed.
Use a Firewall – Enable the firewall built into your router. Firewalls act as barriers between your network, and any external threats. They monitor incoming and outgoing data to prevent malicious connections or unauthorized attempts.
Secure Wi-Fi Network Rename the network to something unique, non-identifiable. Use of personal details or other information that could be associated with your identity is not recommended. Secure your Wi-Fi with a password that is difficult to guess.
Disabling remote management: To prevent unauthorised individuals from remotely accessing your router and changing its settings, disable the feature of remote management. It reduces the chance of unauthorised changes that could compromise network security.
Update connected devices regularly: Make sure all your devices that are part of the home network (computers, smart phones, and other devices) have up-to-date software and firmware. Updates often contain security patches to address vulnerabilities.
Education of Your Family It’s important to inform your family about the risks and benefits associated with unsecure networks. They should be taught to avoid clicking on suspicious links, downloading unknown files, or sharing their personal data with websites and individuals they do not trust.
Virtual Private Networks (VPN) are a great way to protect your privacy online. VPNs can protect the online activity of your family, particularly when they use public Wi-Fi.
Implementing these measures will significantly improve the security of your network at home and provide a secure digital environment for you family. To stay on top of new threats, it is important to review your security settings and make updates regularly.