A wireless or Wi-Fi network is one of the most convenient ways to access the internet. Opting for a wireless network for your home gives the flexibility to connect multiple devices to the internet from different areas of your house. However, it’s advisable to secure the router used by your home network as Wi-Fi networks have extended signals that can go out of your home, which makes it vulnerable to cyber-crime.

Let’s see how we can enhance the security of our home Wi-Fi network and reduce the chances of being compromised and become a victim of any cyberthreat.

  1. Change the SSID of Wi-Fi Network
  2. Use WPA2 or Higher Encryption Technology
  3. Change the Default Admin Password
  4. Make Use of Wi-Fi VPN
  5. Keep SSID Broadcast Hidden
  6. Keep Your Router Software Updated
  7. Keep DHCP Functionality of the Router Off

1. Change the SSID of Wi-Fi Network

All Wi-Fi routers come with their default network name also called an SSID (Service Set Identifier). If you haven’t changed yet, then it’s obvious you are using the one which was set by a manufacturer. Unfortunately, it makes it exposed to attackers, who can easily figure out what brand or model you are using at your home. That makes it open to exploiting any associated vulnerabilities it carries along. To avoid these situations, its recommended that you change the default SSID, but also at the same time avoid using any personally identifiable information like address, phone number or your name.

2. Use WPA2 or Higher Encryption Technology

Various tools are available free of cost, which allow cybercrooks to crack weak Wi-Fi encryption to intercept, view and even modify Wi-Fi traffic. Currently, three wireless encryption technologies are used widely, WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2).

If your current Wi-Fi encryption technology is not the latest one, then it’s advisable to change it. For that, from the web-browser go to the router’s admin settings and go with the safest option WPA2 and use AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) cipher for securing the transmissions between Wi-Fi router and the user’s devices.

Note: The new WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) is announced, though it’s still not widespread. But, at least update with WPA2 for better security.

3. Change the Default Admin Password

You might not be aware, but it’s possible to manage the network configuration, as the router’s console is accessible from all the devices that are connected with your home Wi-Fi. Additionally, most of the time manufacturers use the same default login details for most of their routers, which can even be found easily over the internet, which is not a difficult task for any sophisticated hacker to track it down.

If you’re using the default and become a victim of any cyber crook, then they can change the admin console and passwords of your router which can keep you out and if you lose the access to router’s admin settings there’s no way that you can make any security enhancement of your home Wi-Fi. So, it’s better to change it with a strong hard to guess complex password.

4. Make Use of Wi-Fi VPN

One of the best ways to secure a home network from cyberthreat is to make use of a VPN offered by trusted Wi-Fi VPN providers. By configuring it with your router, you create a secure tunnel with all the connected devices ultimately helping you provide privacy from intrusion which is posed by any cybercrooks and even your ISP (Internet Service Provider).

5. Keep SSID Broadcast Hidden

The network name is broadcasted by Wi-Fi routers to make it easier for the user to find and establish a connection. This feature comes enabled by default and it was developed for business places where user can roam freely in and out of the Wi-Fi range. However, in house private Wi-Fi network also have this feature enabled, which increases the chances of malicious logging into your home network. To avoid such scenarios, it’s recommended to disable the SSID broadcast feature of your Wi-Fi router through the admin console.

6. Keep Your Router Software Updated

Most of the time, consumers do not put much importance in updating the software on their router. It’s advisable that they update the software whenever it’s provided as it’s possible that they might receive a patch of any bug which might have been present in a current version or may receive a new functionality which may help your router function in a better way. However, the process may differ depending upon the model and brand of your router.

7. Keep DHCP Functionality of the Router Off

For enhancing the security of your home Wi-Fi network, it’s advisable to turn off the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) protocol of your router. Moreover, it’s also recommended to make use of a static IP address.

Important Resources to Read